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Young Professionals Spotlight: Cole Helman of Palm Beach Atlantic University leads the way on creation of 30 Under 30 program
Click here to learn more about the 30 Under 30 recognition program and nominate deserving young professionals
by Tony Venegas – Belmont Abbey College, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications @TVenegasBAC
As one of the newest members of the Young Professionals Committee, Cole Helman was looking for a way to get involved and make an impact. He had already done that at Palm Beach Atlantic University as the current Director of Athletic Communications.
During a committee meeting last year, an idea was brought forward from then-Executive Board of Directors representative Katie Mucci that sparked his interest. The idea, thanks to the work of Cole and other members of the committee, eventually turned into the new 30 Under 30 program, which launches today. Helman added that it was a great way for him to step up and get involved.
The 30 Under 30 recognition program honors up-and-coming athletics communications professionals throughout the College Sports Communicators membership. Candidates will be considered based on achievement in one or more areas such as professional success, impact on their athletics departmement or conference office, and/or serve to CSC.
“I always wondered why we didn’t have something like this and I thought it was a great idea,” Helman said. “I had thought about it before but had no idea of the way to get something like that started.”
Cole Helman (right) alongside Palm Beach Atlantic colleagues at #CoSIDA22: TJ Budd (Associate AD for Administration), Courtney Lovely Evans (Director of Athletics) and Brad Seitz (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications).
As the conversations continued and the ideas developed, Helman began to realize how much of an important cause it was to him. With the ever changing world within athletics communications, Helman stressed that having a program like the 30 Under 30 is crucial to provide recognition for those young professionals making big impacts all across the country.
“I feel like in organizations, especially in sports, you see a 30 under 30, or 40 under 40, or something along those lines,” he said. “You’re seeing it more and more. I felt like it was important.”
He also credited Young Professionals Committee chair Dani Gariglio (Davidson) and CoSIDA staff member Beau White for their guidance as well.
“They’ve been able to guide me on what the right next steps should be,” he said. “I’ve just tried to push It along one step at a time with their guidance.”
Noted White, "Members with inititative like Cole are what make our organization great. He took an idea he believed in and ran with it to the benefit of others, and it is geared toward being inclusive to everyone in the All-In membership. It was especially impressive how Cole was able to reach out to members of five other committees to create the selection group. We're really excited about this program and hope it can serve as a model for members who have other ideas. We couldn't be more thankful for Cole for helping us get this launched."
Being able to give others that recognition while also helping people develop is something that has motivated Helman ever since he was in college working in the sports information office since his sophomore year at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. Going down the path into athletic communications was a unique one for him.
As Helman was getting set to graduate in 2018, the double major in sports management and accounting faced a decision. Either take a job at an accounting firm or accept an internship opportunity at Embry-Riddle. He chose Embry-Riddle, a decision that turned into a major one for him.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without that,” he said.
Cole Helman (right) with colleagues from Palm Beach Atlantic.
As his internship at Embry-Riddle was coming to a close, he had another decision that he had to make: Take a full-time job offer out west or find a way to stay on the East Coast. That’s when Palm Beach Atlantic entered the picture and Cole accepted the job offer to be the assistant director of athletic communications.
He worked under TJ Budd, who is now the Associate AD for Administration. Budd was the Director of Athletic Communications when Helman arrived in 2019.
“I’m excited to see Cole get the recognition he deserves and to have the spotlight shine on one of the true young superstars in athletic communications,” Budd said. “I was lucky to hire him back in 2019 and have been continually impressed with how he’s elevated not only PBA over the past three years but also how he’s grown into a leadership position as the director of athletic communications.”
Helman leaned on the experience Budd gave him early on when it came to being prepared professionally for the next step.
After being promoted to Director in 2021, Helman still keeps that mindset with him.
Cole Helman with Chad Briscoe, director of athletics at Helman's alma mater, Grace College in the halls at #CoSIDA22.
“Now that I’m in a director position, I want to do the same for my staff,” Helman said. “I have a full-time assistant and two graduate assistants. I just want to pour into them the same way that my associate AD and AD (Courtney Lovely Evans) have poured into me.”
That brought Helman back to getting involved more with CSC, especially with the Young Professionals committee. And with the changes the organization is undergoing, Helman believes that the timing is right to put the plan into motion.
“I think it coincides really well with CSC's new membership guidelines. This is truly something where we want to recognize not just SIDs or public relations professionals. This is also for up-and-coming social media coordinators, graphic designers, videographers, and anyone under 30 years old that is a member. This fits right in with the launch of the All-In membership and the rebranding — it’s a really great time to kick off this 30 under 30 program because it's meant to be all-encompassing of communications professionals in college athletics.”
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