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CSC Women to Watch Feature Archive
This is part of our 2025-26 CSC Women to Watch series, a series which spotlights a variety of female members in our association. CSC Women is a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Member Resource Community, dedicated to serving the women in the athletics communications and creative field. CSC Women aims to encourage, empower and educate, while providing a positive and united presence for women in our field, both veterans and newcomers, and serving as their collective voice.
CSC Women to Watch
Tia Day
Bates College, Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotion
by Colby Shannon, CSC Intern
May’s Woman to Watch is a 2025 CSC 30 Under 30 member who shows her commitment through continuous involvement in CSC member groups and opportunities. The final Women to Watch before CSC Unite 26 is Tia Day!
A former collegiate basketball player, Day graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington in 2022. After graduating from UMF with a bachelor’s in business economics and a minor in coaching, Day was hired by Bates College as the coordinator of athletics marketing and promotion.
Alongside her role in collegiate athletics communications at Bates College, Day has served on the Women Leaders Awards Committee, currently serves on the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant Selection Committee, and represents Region 3 on the D3SIDA Board.
As a CSC member, Day is well known and involved in the CSC community. She currently serves on the Young Professionals Committee and its Social Media Subcommittee. In 2024, she was selected as one of 30 participants in the inaugural Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program and was also chosen for the CSC Inclusion Fellowship. She will additionally be honored at this year’s convention as a member of the 2025 30 Under 30 Class.
Read more about Tia Day in our Q&A below.
Day at the Women Leaders convention with colleague Adrienne Shibles.
What has been a highlight of your career in sports communications?
TD: I started working at Bates College four years ago, so the first student-workers I hired when I first got here are graduating this Spring. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch each of them grow into themselves, develop professionally, and truly flourish in their roles within Bates athletic communications over the past four years. While it’s bittersweet to see them graduate, I’m excited to follow their journeys and see what’s next, because I know they will succeed in whatever they choose to do.
How has your involvement with CSC supported you throughout your career?
TD: Being a member of College Sports Communicators has had a tremendous impact on my career. It has given me the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, build meaningful relationships, and gain new perspectives through connecting with a diverse group of colleagues who share many of the same challenges and exciting moments within the industry. If you are not already involved with CSC, whether through a committee, professional development opportunity, or programs like the Inclusion Fellowship, I highly encourage you to get involved.
Bates athletics colleagues (Day on the left) on the scene.
Is there a female sports professional you admire, or who has inspired you? What do you admire most about them?
TD: It’s hard to narrow it down to just one, but as a Mainer whose favorite sport has always been basketball, it was incredible to witness the impact and success Adrienne Shibles had at Bowdoin College as the head women’s basketball coach while I was growing up. She’s an incredible leader and an even better person. It’s been a true full-circle moment to now work alongside her at Bates College and to be able to call her both a mentor and a great friend.
As a younger voice, what are the challenges that you faced early in your career? Do you still experience these challenges?
TD: I would say many of the challenges were ones I created in my own head. Working at Bates College has been an incredibly positive experience, especially as my first full-time job. I tend to be more introverted and don’t always speak up right away, but the people at Bates have consistently encouraged me to share my voice and opinions. I’m really grateful for that support, and it’s something I now try to pass along by encouraging others to feel confident speaking up in the room as well.
College Sports Communicators' 2025 Emerging Elite group, featuring Tia Day.
Where does your motivation to be involved with CSC and other NCAA initiatives come from? What’s been your biggest takeaway from these experiences?
TD: My biggest motivation was honestly the opportunity to meet new people. I truly value the relationships I’ve built at Bates College, but I also wanted to continue growing my community and professional network while gaining outside perspectives from others in the industry. One of my biggest takeaways from these experiences has been learning how different people navigate challenges and adversity, and gaining new perspectives on leadership, communication, and growth within the profession.
Where does your passion for sports communications come from?
TD: Definitely my own experience playing sports. I was a three-sport athlete throughout high school and went on to play Division III basketball in college. Athletics were such a significant part of my life, and when I graduated, I knew I wasn’t ready to step away from that environment. Working in college athletics has allowed me to stay connected to the energy, community, and passion that sports have always brought to my life.
Tia Day and ESPN Reporter Holly Rowe at CSC Unite 25.
What future career as[irations do you have?
TD: I really enjoy the Division III environment, so I could definitely see myself continuing to build my career within that space. At the same time, working for a WNBA organization also sounds super fun!
The 2025 College Sports Communicators Inclusion Fellowship Group. Tia Day was a recepient of the Inclusion Fellowship.
Quick Hitters with Tia:
Your dream job as a kid: Either professional athlete or singer.
If you could go back in time and relive one moment, what would it be? I try to stay grounded in the present moment, but if I could travel back in time, I would probably relive winning a basketball state championship in high school. It was such a special experience because I was surrounded by my family, friends, and teammates, and it’s a memory filled with so much joy and excitement.
Favorite family traditions: I would say just spending the holidays together and enjoying a nice meal as a family!
Favorite professional sports team: Boston Celtics (need a Boston WNBA team asap!!)
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving!.
What is one item you can't live without? A good ice coffee!
Favorite thing about Maine: Experienceing the seasons!
Bates College athletics communicators in Orlando for CSC Unite 25.