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CoSIDA Title IX 50th Anniversary Spotlight
Girl Power: The Ohio University all-female athletics communications staff
by Barb Kowal – CoSIDA Director of Professional Development and External Affairs
In July, Ohio University Senior Director of Athletic Communications Sara Legarsky tweeted on a rarity — the Bobcats currently have an all-female staff in athletic communications for the 2022-23 academic year.
It wasn’t a planned trend-setter move on Ohio U’s part.
“Our all-female staff wasn’t actually planned,” noted Legarsky, who came to Ohio University in for the 2015-16 academic year and was appointed Senior Director of Athletic Communications last September.
“
Sarah Newgarde arrived last year as director of athletic communications and handles football, wrestling and baseball. In hiring for an internship position,
Meg Christenson fell into our lap since she still hadn’t secured a graduate assistantship for this coming fall. She’ll cover soccer, women’s basketball and men’s and women’s golf.
Allison Jalowiec has been with us for four years and is a student intern, and last year earned the volleyball and cross country/track and field job. I still have one more spot to fill on our staff, and if it’s a female, that’s cool. If not, that’s fine too. We just need to promote our sports fully and I’m looking forward to filling out our staff.”
Allison Jalowiec has been a four-year student intern, and last year earned the volleyball and cross country/track and field job.
There’s a precedent for female leaders at Ohio, with the athletic department led by veteran administrator Julie Cromer, who currently serves as co-chair of the NCAA Transformation Committee, a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, and the LEAD1 Executive Board. The Bobcats’ student-athlete development and inclusion, business operations/CFO duties and NCAA eligibility/student success areas are also female-led.
Legarsky, who previously served as a media relations graduate assistant at Oklahoma State University (2012-14), is positive that her all-female SID staff won’t remain an anomaly.
“There are absolutely more opportunities for ethnic minorities and females in college athletics today,” Legarsky noted. “And I see it every day and do believe there are more minorities being hired across the board, in all departments, like we have here at Ohio.”
When asked as a female navigating the college sports industry and if she believes her young all-female staff might meet some resistance or struggles, Legarsky was quick to credit the relationships built between coaches, student-athletes and the SIDs.
“I’ve been at Ohio for eight years and have handled football and men’s basketball since I’ve been here and I have not had a single issue,” Legarsky said. “Neither have Sarah or Allison. We’re very lucky here with open and understanding coaches and student athletes, who to them, working with women every day is normal. We appreciate the give-and-take.
Building relationships and trust is essential to have a positive work experience. That is my message for everyone in athletic communications, regardless of your role, your experience, or your gender.”
Legarsky was asked what advice she will give her young staff as they work to establish themselves as female leaders in athletic communications.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing and ask if you need help. It’s work as usual as the sports get going,” said Legarsky. “And again, know that our coaches and student-athletes don’t care if their communications staff contact is a male or female. They just know that someone is there to help and promote their team and their accomplishments and tell their stories successfully.”
On a more personal note, Legarsky expressed thanks and gratitude when thinking of the women who paved the way in the athletic communications workforce before she began her career.
“I’m so thankful for the women who have come for me and paved this way – and for the men who hired them and gave them opportunities. Personally, I am also thankful for the men at my different stops — at my alma mater, St. Bonaventure, at Oklahoma State and now at Ohio — who have seen in me that I have the skills to be a leader.”
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