College Sports Information Directors of America

This feature is one of the many profiles we are doing to showcase our diverse CoSIDA membership during 2016 CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week. To see all the feature stories leading up to - and during - CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week, please click HERE.

OUR STORIES
Sarah Boissonneault
University of Hartford Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

by Rob Knox, Towson University Associate Director of Athletic Media Relations/
CoSIDA 2nd Vice President/CoSIDA Week Committee member

Sarah Boissneault has found a home at Hartford University.

A Connecticut native, Hartford has been the perfect place for Boissneault, who is in her eighth year as the assistant director of athletics communications. She has blossomed into one of the industry's bright young media relations stars.

Boissonneault, a 2006 graduate of Elmira College, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. At Elmira, playing under her maiden name of Sarah Cote, she was a four-year member of the women's basketball team, earning all-conference accolades from the Empire 8 Conference as well as the college's Female Athlete of the Year award as a senior.

What's been the most enjoyable part of your time at Hartford?

Boissonneault: It's hard to single out just one thing that has made my time here at Hartford enjoyable. The coaching staff and administrators have all been so supportive, which makes coming to work everyday so easy. Hartford is on the smaller side for a Division I athletics department, which truly makes it a close-knit, family atmosphere. This is something that I really value, because it makes coming in to work 6-7 days a week and putting in 50-60 hours a week not feel like "work." Also, having the opportunity to connect with such amazing student-athletes and help enhance their experience at Hartford is so rewarding.

You've been married for a couple of years now; how have you been able to balance the marriage and your work? What have been some challenges for you and how have you overcome them?

Boissonneault: Balancing being a wife with work hasn't always been easy. We are constantly on opposite schedules. It usually works out that when I am home, he is not, and vice versa. My husband, Matt, is a high school teacher and the head wrestling coach, so we are both incredibly busy, especially in the winter when he is in-season and I am on the road traveling with our women's basketball team.

In the grand scheme of things, we have realized that our time together is precious, and we make the most out of it.

The time away from each other is not always ideal, but it makes us appreciate the time that we do have together. I also enjoy cooking with my husband, so after work, when we are both home (which is pretty rare), we cook dinner together, which I find to be really relaxing. Matt and I are both also huge sports fans, so we always have a game on at home. Baseball season tends to be interesting as I am a huge Red Sox fan and he is a Yankees fan.

What's been some of your most meaningful accomplishments during your time at Hartford that you want to speak about and proud of?

Boissonneault: There are so many meaningful accomplishments at Hartford, but the ones that really stand out are the accomplishments of the student-athletes. It is so rewarding to see these student-athletes come in as young adults, and watch them transform through the years and graduate as men and women four years later. When a student returns to campus after graduating, there is nothing better than having the opportunity to catch up and see how much they have accomplished as productive members of our society. We have had several students that put in so many hours in our office go on to land internships and full-time positions, and knowing that I had an influence on those student's lives goes beyond words.

How did you get you started and who were some of your early influences in the profession?

Boissonneault: I was first introduced to the field when I was in college at Elmira. At the time, the athletic department was extremely small, and my basketball coach, Matt Donohue, was also the SID. Not knowing what that meant, I quickly learned about his responsibilities in that role (which were so much different than they are now - think of a time with no video streaming, live stats, YouTube OR Twitter - crazy!), and after helping him out at a few games and assisting him with his sports info office duties, I realized it was something that I thought I would enjoy doing. I then became his student assistant for the remainder of my college career, and couldn't thank him enough for what he taught me during that time. I was a biology major, and graduated with a B.S. in the field, but realized I was passionate about college athletics.

In your opinion, what's the most important part of your role at Hartford and what makes you excited to show up every morning and why?

Boissonneault: There is so much negativity in the world, and with the prominence of social media, I feel that it is so easy to exploit the negatives on a daily basis. This is part of the reason why I feel my role at Hartford is so important. We have 300 student-athletes who are passionate about what they do. They put in countless hours on and off the court, fields and weight rooms.

It goes beyond the wins, losses and the championships, though. Our student-athletes are doing amazing things in the classroom and within the community. Having the opportunity to promote the positive things that our student-athletes have accomplished is so rewarding to me, and I am blessed to have that opportunity. As administrators, we have the opportunity to help shape the lives of our student-athletes. A little can go a long way, and just knowing that I can help enhance the lives of our student-athletes during their four years at Hartford is also rewarding.

What advice would you give somebody wanting to enter the business?

Boissonneault: You have to really be passionate about the field - as well as college athletics and the student-

athletes - to truly be happy. The long hours, late nights and weekends can get to you. I couldn't tell you how many bridal/baby showers, nieces/nephews birthday parties and reunions with friends I have missed during my time. The position is not glamorous. Most times, sports information directors go under the radar. Often times, co-workers don't even realize what we actually do, and how much time and effort we put in to our jobs, whether it is in the office, on the field or at home. Unlike other jobs, when we do make mistakes in our very public work (which is bound to happen when you are putting in 50-60 hours a week, producing countless press releases and constantly posting to social media), they are recognizable. It's the nature of the business and you must understand that when criticism comes your way. But if you are passionate about what you do, about having the opportunity to enhance the lives of so many student-athletes, it makes all of the hours and the sacrifices we make worth it!

What do you do away from the office to relax?

Boissonneault: I am really in to working out, so I make it a point to plot out an hour every morning (at work) to get a workout in before I head up to my office. That hour is "my time," and I honestly do think it is what keeps me sane. I have actually been skydiving twice - once in Australia when I was on a foreign tour with our men's basketball team and again on Cape Cod in Massachusetts - and can't wait to find a time to do it again! It was without a doubt the most exhilarating experience ever, and it should be on everyone's bucket list. I hope to one day be able to do a solo jump (or 10!). These might all seem like little things, but it is so important to have things like this in your life to keep your mind off of work.

Final words from Hartford Assistant Athletic Director/Communication Matt Brady on Boissanneault:

"Sarah is in some ways synonymous with Hartford. Even though she is still relatively early in her professional career, she has become widely known and respected by her colleagues at other schools and members of the media. Over her eight years with the Hawks, she has had a tremendous impact on the coaches and student-athletes here. For me, personally, Sarah has been a trusted confidant in my year of transition to the University of Hartford. I am extremely grateful for the trust Sarah has put in me as a leader and for the way she has supported me during the chaos of this new endeavor."