"The Life" is a series surveying College Sports Communicators members for their thoughts on topics and issues in the athletic communications industry, plus personal insights into not-so-serious issues, too.
For the last four years, Josh Fisher has served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletics Communications at NAIA’s Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ), overseeing all communications, video and social duties for the school’s 29 sports. Fisher was selected the 2021-22 Golden State Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year. He currently serves on our CSC NAIA Cabinet as an at-large representative in the leadership group, and also is the Sports Information Chair in the GSAC. Prior to arriving at OUAZ, Fisher worked at Rocky Mountain College (Billings, Montana) where he was the school’s first full-time SID for one year, and spent 10 years as Sports Information and Events Coordinator at Westminster College (Utah).
Having spent nearly 20 years at her alma mater, NCAA Division III Framingham State in Massachusetts, Kathy Lynch currently holds the title of Assistant AD/Sports Information. A 2002 graduate of Framingham State where she starred on the basketball team as an ECAC and All-MASCAC Conference standout, Lynch was named the sports information specialist a year later and was promoted to her current position in 2007. She has served on numerous campus and regional committees, including the ECAC New England Women's Basketball Selection Committee and NCAA Regional Advisory Committee for field hockey.
Clayton Messerle is entering his fifth month as Director of Athletic Communications at NAIA institution Corban University, located in Salem, Oregon. He is a member of the NAIA-SIDA group and is co-chair of their continuing education webinar and training series. He spent the year prior at Warner Pacific as SID. He is a 2018 graduate of Oregon State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a minor in business administration. At OSU, Messerle was held multiple athletic department student internships and worked in marketing, social media, graphic design and team management.
Ibrahim Mustapha is in his second year as a graduate assistant for the NCAA Division II Saint Martin’s University Saints. Saint Martin’s is in Lacey, Washington and is a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). He handles media relations for men’s basketball, cross country and track and field and manages all of the Saint’s social media channels. Game management-wise, he coordinates official scoring, video production, and live stats for all 13 sports. He is a 2020 graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks where he was a student SID intern.
What is a goal you have for the next (spring) semester or a current goal that you are working on achieving?
Fisher: I have been working on delegating projects and responsibilities that don't need as much of my time. I have a habit of thinking my way is the only way to do certain things and that others aren't capable of doing them the way I like or even better if given a chance.
Lynch: We just finished a big project in our office with a redesign of our website!
Messerle: Something that I don't see a lot of institutions do nowadays is highlighting their student-athletes outside of athletics. At Corban, we're working on a student spotlight campaign that will highlight our student-athletes’ talents and skills off the court, field, course, etc. We're looking to highlight their successes in the classroom, in their communities, their leadership involvement, any possible internships, and their growth in their faith.
Mustapha: My current goal is to finish out my master’s degree in higher education and student affairs.
What song makes you unconditionally happy? And why?
Fisher: Currently, it is "Dancin' in the Country" by Tyler Hubbard. While I am not the dancing type, the energy and playfulness of the song just changes my energy and puts a smile on my face.
Lynch: "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston. It comes on and just makes me smile. It reminds me of college and dance parties and sing-alongs on bus trips home from away games.
Messerle: Unironically, "Warriors" by Imagine Dragons. We play the song every time one of our teams takes the field/court, and the lyrics and pacing of the song just fits our school's identity so well. It brings a smile to my face seeing our student-athletes enjoy the moment and get hyped for their contest!
Mustapha: "Sweet Life" by Frank Ocean always puts me in a good mood, it’s a great song.
The most fun part of my job is …
Fisher: The interactions with different people. During a week, there is a good chance I will cross paths with campus administration, coaches, student-athletes, donors, fans, recruits, young kids, etc.; and each has a different view of how my job affects them.
Lynch: The student-athletes and student-workers. They keep me young and up to date on all of the “cool” new things I know nothing about.
Messerle: Interacting with the student-athletes. I've considered opportunities in the past that would have led to off-campus work, and there's no way I could ever give up the on-campus, student-athlete perspective that comes with being an SID. Being able to impact the lives of others both during their time as a student and post-graduation is extremely fulfilling.
Mustapha: The most fun part of my job is seeing the student-athletes succeed, especially the ones I always see putting in the extra hours. Seeing them finally have their moment in the sun is great.
What's a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?
Fisher: Early in my career, I spent a lot of time trying to be everything to everyone. In doing this, I learned how to prioritize what was best for our programs and how to say no when needed.
Lynch: Saying “yes” to everyone and everything. It took me a while to learn that I didn’t always have to say yes when a coach asked for something at 11 o’clock at night. I learned that I could say NO and that stuff could wait till tomorrow or Monday morning if it was the weekend.
Messerle: Valuing your time away from the office. No matter how much help you have, no matter how far ahead or behind you are, you NEED to value your personal time. Take a walk, sleep in that extra 15 minutes, watch your favorite show, whatever helps you cope with the stress and anxiety that can arise from the busy seasons. Your mental health is extremely important, no matter what still needs to be done.
Mustapha: I’m still fairly early in my career overall but learning to communicate when you’re have a tough time is important. You don’t have to take everything on the chin.
If you could go back in time, what year or time period would you travel to … and why?
Fisher: I have found an interest in the stories of the ABA lately, and growing up in Utah, my grandpa always shared stories of the Utah Stars winning the 1971 ABA championship. I would love to go back and watch that team with him during that season. However, I would also like to watch the 1927 Yankees and walk with dinosaurs.
Lynch: I’d go back to 2015 … yes I know that’s not that far back. I’d go back to the last time my best friend and I took a vacation before she suddenly passed in 2016. We started as teammates in college and were close even after she moved halfway across the country. I’d love to just go back and talk and spend time and not take anything for granted because our next trip wasn’t guaranteed.
Messerle: The second Industrial Revolution period has always interested me, as that's the era where a significant number of technological advances were made that puts us where we're today. With technology being such a large part of today's society, it would have been really neat to be a part of those discoveries.
Mustapha: I’d go back to the early 2000s and enjoy Kobe in his prime again and a young and hungry LeBron. The NBA was in a great space then.
How and when do you unplug and get away from sports and your daily workplace responsibilities?
Fisher: I get away from the job by spending time with my family. With three kids 10 and under, it's easy to check out of work every night and dive into their lives. My family also comes to our games frequently, providing another quick outlet during some crazier days.
Lynch: When I can get away I spend a lot of time with my nieces and nephew. Someone has to be their biggest fan at their games and spoil them with everything their parents said they couldn’t have!
Messerle: I try to find at least one day a week to just do what I need to do to unplug from reality. Whether that's doing an activity with my wife and family, or simply staying at home and enjoying some peace and quiet. On the weeks where we're extremely busy with hosting games or other events, I try to make up for it in the weekdays leading up to what I know will be a busy weekend.
Mustapha: Since I’m a graduate assistant I’m fortunate enough to get two days off a week where I don’t have any job responsibilities. Ironically enough, I usually spend those days playing basketball or watching sports on TV.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Fisher: To avoid a long, passionate rant, avoid mentioning specific companies. (People who know me will understand).
Lynch: Approach with caution — contents are volatile
.
Messerle: "Warning: Lack of Sleep"
Mustapha: My warning label would say “warning: flammable when hot.”
Who do you look up to within your organization – or within the College Sports Communicators association?
Fisher: I learned so much early in my career from Liz Abel (University of Utah), Mike Lageschulte (University of Utah), and Andy Seeley (many places). During my time in the NAIA, Ron Smith (Westmont) and Mike Safford (now Oregon Tech) have been mentors. At OUAZ, it's easily our Assistant AD Brittney Kellar.
Lynch: I look up to my athletic director Tom Kelley and deputy director Carey Eggen. After being a student-athlete here, they hired me as a 23-year-old with zero experience and they have both been huge influences.
Messerle: Directly within my conference, you'll find my SID mentor Alisha Alexander, the Sports Information Director at Lewis-Clark State College. From my first year in the CCC, she took me under her wing and continues to offer me support whenever I need a helping hand. She also heads the NAIA-SIDA continuing education planning group that I am co-chair of, so it's great to always have her in every aspect of my professional career when I need a friendly face around. She's the best!
Mustapha: I wouldn’t be where I am today without two people specifically, Terlynn Olds (Vice President for Athletics and Recreation at LaGrange College) and Nate Pearsall (SID at University of Alaska Fairbanks). They allowed me to be a student intern while I was finishing my undergrad degree at UAF and I learned so much and loved it.
Thanksgiving This or That: Would you rather cook the Thanksgiving meal or clean up the dishes?
Fisher: Cook every time. I have cooked our Thanksgiving meal for groups of 5 to 20 every year since getting married in 2011.
Lynch: Is neither an option, LOL???
Messerle: In my household, I will 100% do the dishes for the amazing food being cooked for everyone. It's absolutely the least a cooking degenerate like myself can do to help out!
Mustapha: I’m cooking — washing dishes is one of my
least favorite chores.
Speaking of the Thanksgiving meal, tell us your favorite two or three holiday side dishes.
Fisher: Have to have a good stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, and peas.
Lynch: It’s all about the mashed potatoes and the gravy
Messerle: Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green bean casserole will remain undefeated in the holiday dish game.
Mustapha: When we are talking side dishes, I need mashed potatoes & gravy, mac & cheese, and cornbread.
Thanksgiving This or That: Would you rather play in an NFL football game (with the football skills you have now) or sing — not lip-sync! — at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (with the singing abilities you have now)?
Fisher: Play in an NFL game. I've never played one down of tackle football in my life, yet I know I would still be better at that than I would be at singing!
Lynch: NFL game for sure. I don’t even like to hear my voice when I have to do the PA at games.
Messerle: I became an SID purely based on the fact that I love sports, but I have NEVER been the athlete on the field that everyone expects. Additionally, I like my head firmly on my shoulders where it currently lies, so I'll take the parade embarrassment over the physical pain every time!
Mustapha: I’ll take the NFL game. I’m still pretty active and I have decent football skills. Let me line up as a slot receiver and I’ll be fine.