"The SID Life" is a series surveying CoSIDA members for their thoughts on topics and issues in the athletic communications industry, plus personal insights into not-so-serious issues, too.
A 2021 graduate of NCAA Division II member University of Tampa, Dan Guthrie is in his first year as Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at his alma mater after serving as an undergraduate student assistant with current Assistant AD/Communications Tom Kolbe. Guthrie oversees the department’s social media platforms and media production and is the main contact for volleyball, beach volleyball, and men’s and women’s lacrosse.
Jamie Howieson joined the British Columbia athletic staff in July 2021 as Communications and Marketing Specialist after serving as the Athletic Coordinator of Communications for Wilfrid Laurier University (in Waterloo, Ontario) for the past decade. He also was a member of the Communications & Events team for Team Ontario at the 2021 Canada Summer Games.
Sarah Twiggs has served since June 2015 as Assistant Commissioner of the Landmark Conference, a NCAA Division III Conference of eight colleges and universities and one affiliate school in the mid-Atlantic region. She previously worked at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), was a Ohio Dominican SID graduate assistant, an SID intern at Thiel College (Pa.) and worked in minor league baseball with the Class A Visalia (Cali.) Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Class AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox ( affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers).
Recently promoted to Director of Athletic Communications at Harvard, Darin Wong has served at the Ivy League school since November of 2018. He previously had a 13-year tenure at his alma mater, San Diego State, holding the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations title the last two-plus years. Wong is the primary communications contact for the Crimson’s men's basketball, football and softball programs.
Bucket list: What sporting event is still on your bucket list to see live?
Guthrie: I'm actually a huge fan of motorsports, so the Monaco Grand Prix is definitely on the bucket list.
Howieson: I’ve been lucky enough to attend some incredible sporting events including the Olympics, the Winter Classic at the Big House, the Women’s World Cup and NHL playoff games. One that’s been at the top of my list for my wife and I for a long time would be going to Europe for the World Hockey Championship. However, with Canada becoming a much more accomplished soccer nation on the men’s side, I think adding attending a men’s World Cup would be number one now.
Twiggs: Any major sporting event (Superbowl, World Series, etc). Bonus if a Cleveland team is playing!
Wong: I would like to attend the 2021 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. COVID got in the way of it happening in 2020. We’ll see if I can get home to see the 2021 edition.
How many browser tabs or windows do you have open right now – or regularly opened?
Guthrie: Currently I have 12 tabs open between two monitors ... and it's only 10 AM …
Howieson: I currently have 17 open and I would say anywhere from 15-20 is probably about average for me.
Twiggs: Three at the moment. On average, about 5-6.
Wong: I currently have 10 tabs open in one browser with two separate windows open as well. All on a Saturday…
As CoSIDA members wind down the competitive seasons in May/June, what is your best advice on prepping and planning for the 2022-23 academic/athletic year? How do you go about it and when do you start?
Guthrie: Since this is my first year as an SID, I intend on prepping social media content for the summer within the next few weeks. Around mid-July is right around when I plan on getting ready for the fall season.
Howieson: We’re lucky here in Canada to have almost four months of prep time for the upcoming season. My best advice is to be purposeful in your preparation. Set aside specific time to brainstorm with those in your department or on your campus that you need to connect with, and then lay out your vision as to what’s realistic to accomplish.I learned this from outstanding individuals during my time Wilfrid Laurier University, and I’m looking to bring this strategy into my new role at UBCO.
My planning goal in athletic communications is to pick one new element of my portfolio to change or improve from the year prior, to help our department move to the next level. We get overwhelmed with requests from inside and outside the University environment so I’ve always tried hard to remain realistic in what can be accomplished year over year. I start planning in late April so that I can enjoy time off in the summer before the season gets up and started at the end of August.
Twiggs: I always start with a to-do list, and then I sort it by season. For example, I will start some fall projects in June, then winter in July, and spring in August.
Wong: My best advice on prepping and planning for the 2022-23 year is to take some time for yourself at the end of 2021-22 to refresh. That’s first. I think reflecting on what worked and what didn’t in ’21-22 should happen now in order to give yourself enough time to plan. If you don’t, 2022-23 will arrive in a blink of an eye.
Favorite summertime/vacation activity that’s on tap this year:
Guthrie: Traveling and visiting family … honorable mention goes to golf outings.
Howieson: We just moved out to British Columbia last year and my family and I are really looking forward to enjoying all the outdoor activities in the mountains. We’ll take time to enjoy camping in the beautiful provincial parks in the Okanagan while also enjoying the many beaches and lakes in our area.
Twiggs: Vacation to a beach. My family goes every year. My dad and I also are trying to see every baseball stadium, and have both Chicago’s and Milwaukee’s on tap this year!
Wong: On tap this summer is a staycation of sorts as my wife and I, along with her family, are headed to Seabrook, N.H.
What always makes you laugh?
Guthrie: Being around our student workers in the office and at games. They are always high energy and full of entertaining stories.
Howieson: Anytime I need a laugh, I throw on Seinfeld.
Twiggs: Stories by my best friend.
Wong: Stugotz, on The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz, always makes me laugh. The whole podcast is great.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment(s) so far? This can be personal or professional.
Guthrie: Working Super Bowl LV on behalf of the Buccaneers was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Then following that up with landing an internship with the New York Yankees two days later was just icing on the cake!
Howieson: Tough question. I’ve been fortunate to be involved with some pretty great teams that have produced and accomplished so much. Some of those moments and projects I’ll carry with me for a long time. Ultimately, my best accomplishment is mentoring student staffs and seeing them go on and accomplish outstanding things in their young careers. The satisfaction I get in seeing them succeed after leaving campus is one of the greatest joys. It’s just a pleasure to see them pursuing their dreams and knowing I played a small role in helping them get started on their career path.
Twiggs: Being able to serve on the different committees for the NCAA (Regional Advisory Committees) and CoSIDA (D3 Divisional Day Planning Committee).
Wong: My greatest accomplishment was successfully driving - by myself - from San Diego to Boston when I accepted the Harvard position. It was terrible.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Guthrie: Long runs and playing tennis are some of my favorite de-stressors after a busy day.
Howieson: Going home and spending time with the family for sure. My kids are five and three and they always pick you up no matter what kind of day it’s been. After they’ve gone to bed, it’s definitely vegging out on the couch with my wife watching whatever show we’re currently binging.
Twiggs: I love to read! I try and read for an hour every night before bed.
Wong: My favorite way to unwind after a busy day is having an IPA.
This or that: Is it better to have specialized knowledge in one subject or general knowledge of all subjects?
Guthrie: I'd say general knowledge of all subjects.
Howieson: In the world of sports, having a general knowledge of many different subjects comes in handy. So many of us in this industry have a jack-of-all-trades background and I think it can provide so much value to your department, especially if your staff or team is relatively small. There are numerous times in my career where a random piece of information has come in handy during a conversation.
Twiggs: I think it is better to have general knowledge of all subjects. That leaves the opportunity to be able to always learn and contribute.
Wong: General knowledge of all subjects. I think you can pick up things quicker if you have a general knowledge of things.
Real book or e-reader/tablet?
Guthrie: Definitely a real book, I like to turn physical pages.
Howieson: Real book. I switched to an e-reader for a few years but nothing beats having the physical book as you flip through it.
Twiggs: I honestly love them both! I tend to read more ebooks since it is easier and more convenient – but you can’t beat a physical book!
Wong: Gosh, I am not a book reader, but with a tablet, I can keep up with current events.
Wings or nachos?
Guthrie: Wings for sure -- shoutout to Hattricks, as they have some of the best wings in Tampa.
Howieson: Morty’s Pub wings in Waterloo, Ontario all the way!
Twiggs: Nachos. Every time.
Wong: Nachos, if I’m with others. If I’m by myself, the spiciest wings you have.