"The SID Life" is a series surveying CoSIDA members for their thoughts on topics and issues in the athletic communications industry, plus personal insights into not-so-serious issues, too.
Asha Evans is in her first year at Vanderbilt and is the main contact for women’s basketball and track and field/cross country programs. She previously served at Kansas, Radford, Connecticut, Newberry College and her alma mater, Western Carolina.
Nick Guerriero is completing his first year at Tennessee State leading the athletic communications department after spending the majority of his career on the East Coast at George Washington, American, Dartmouth, Iona, Manhattanville and St. Francis (NY).
In August 2021, Alex Gutierrez, a Maine native, returned to New England to work at WPI in Massachusetts after working for two years at Lincoln Memorial (Harrogate, Tennessee) as a graduate assistant. He was a four-year SID student assistant at his alma mater, Saint Joseph’s College (ME).
Marianne Ryan is in her second stint in athletic communications, serving as Sports Information Specialist at Joliet Junior College in Illinois for the last three years. Previously, she was the public relations specialist and SID for Moraine Valley Community College (1996 to 2005) before spending time in park district and library communications prior to her Joliet position.
In the spirit of baseball and softball seasons, what would be your walk-up song to the plate?
Evans: Diva by Beyonce. It’s the perfect mix of hype yourself up and letting your opponent know that you mean business!
Guerriero: Corey Hart - Sunglasses At Night (Thanks, Brian Morales)
Gutierrez: Can’t Tell Me Nothing by Kanye West
Ryan: Probably something by P!nk - Raise Your Glass or maybe Get the Party Started.
What skill or aptitude or professional development learning would you like to master before the start of the 2022-23 academic year?
Evans: Photography and videography, even if it’s not in a professional setting. It’s something that I like to do and want to learn more about from ISO (camera sensitivity to light) to editing in Premiere.
Guerriero: Going into next year, the biggest thing for me as a department head would be to try and advocate more for my staff. Learning from other department heads this summer would be valuable for me. I want my staff to feel heard, but I also want them to feel appreciated.
Gutierrez: I’d like to pursue a further understanding of sports media and ‘content strategy’ and how to implement it more into my current work.
Ryan: Feels timely to brush up on crisis communications — although I hope to never have to use those skills!
As a child, who was/were your hero or heroes?
Evans: Lisa Leslie for sure was my greatest hero. Seeing her dominate the sport that I loved so much as a kid and breaking down barriers from dunking in a game to her accolades on and off the court.
Guerriero: I think I would have to say, my dad. He’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met and he’s still going strong at 66 years old working 18-hour days in professional sports after knee and ankle replacement.
Gutierrez: Spider-Man!
Ryan: I idolized Mike Royko, a long-time newspaper columnist in Chicago. I always wanted to be a writer, and when I was young, I thought it would be for a newspaper.
Who is your greatest hero or heroes today?
Evans: Today my greatest heroes are Arielle Chambers and Andraya Carter. They both are inspirations to me as black women in sport, especially in media. From championing women to being open about their own journeys, I respect them both so much.
Guerriero: In the world we live in right now ... Anyone who is doing good for their communities and bringing positivity to all of us.
Gutierrez: Spider-Man still! In a more serious manner, I would say healthcare professionals for their constant support during this time! In addition, all athletics administrators, and coaches for continuing to support student-athletes!
Ryan: My Mom. Now that I’m older, I really appreciate everything she has done for me throughout my life.
What advice would you give athletic communications colleagues about re-charging this summer? Do you have any techniques or methods that have worked for you?
Evans: Two words, DO IT. You can’t pour from an empty cup and the work will be there when you get back. For me, I love just turning my phone on silent for the day and playing with my daughter. We go on walks around the neighborhood and have cookouts with our friends. Recharging doesn’t have to cost money or have to take place somewhere else; you can do it wherever you are the most comfortable.
Guerriero: Find a pool, a beach, or any body of water and just zone out and get a tan ... There’s also nothing wrong with being a couch potato and binge-watching TV or playing video games. For me, getting in the kitchen helps me not think about the work. Trust me, you never want to answer a work call when you are deep frying.
Gutierrez: Start by limiting screen time! Playing sports – my outlet is golf, and since I like to keep stat, I still get the sports information fix. Fishing or anything on the water. Meditation and reflection go a long way in a daily routine and has done so for me.
Ryan: Do things you enjoy and spend time with the people you love while you have the time because the fall semester/sports seasons will be here before we know it! Personally, I get out and golf every chance I get!
What is your favorite thing about your career?
Evans: The student-athletes. They make the long nights, the hard days, and sometimes even the tears, truly worth it.
Guerriero: I think having the chance to make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes but also our fans and alumni. Having something as little as a camera can be powerful in so many ways. You can make that student’s day better just by interviewing them after a game. That interview can be seen by their parents who might not be able to attend games. That same interview can be a way for a donor or fan to stay connected with the University. I think sometimes what we do gets lost; the impact we have is pretty important
.
Gutierrez: Having the privilege of telling the student-athlete experience in what I can contribute while learning more and more every day. There’s something new every day that keeps the job interesting!
Ryan: Meeting new people. I really love interviewing our coaches and student-athletes for the stories I write!
What kitchen appliance do you use every day?
Evans: My coffee pot; I refuse to function without it.
Guerriero: Keurig – SIDs run on coffee
Gutierrez: Toaster! I love bagels, toast, waffles, etc. Second place would be the air fryer.
Ryan: Fridge. Gotta keep the beverages cold!
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
Evans: Since my name is so short and pronounced Aye-sha when people do shorten my name a lot of people just call me A [Aye]. But, usually I’m just Asha.
Guerriero: Since moving to Nashville, I’ve been given the name ‘New York Nick’. I’m still trying to figure out if it’s a compliment.
Gutierrez: Yes, it’s Guti. My last name is Gutierrez so my friends from middle school shortened it and it made its way through high school, undergraduate and graduate school somehow.
Ryan: Most of my friends call me “M” or “Mar.” Too many syllables in Marianne!
Would you rather: take a road trip or a long flight to a faraway destination?
Evans: Road trip all day, I like to drive long distances anyway.
Guerriero: Get me to an airport longue first but strap me to the wings of a plane any day (preference is an aisle seat)!
Gutierrez: Road trip! Flights are great but being able to stop and soak in unexpected environments and being able to change routes if needed is a plus. Also, road trip snacks are better than airplane/airport food.
Ryan: Long flight to faraway destination. I have had some looong commutes in my career so extended time in the car does NOT appeal to me!
One must go from this list: A. Twitter, B. Facebook, C. Instagram, D. YouTube
Evans: Goodbye, Facebook.
Guerriero: A. Twitter
Gutierrez: Facebook. I hate to say it… The only reasons I use Facebook now is for my family to see what I am up to and to be able to share content for work. Otherwise, it is not too useful to me anymore.
Ryan: Instagram
. I haven't been using it as long as the others so I'm not as attached to it!
One must go from this list: A. Reese's peanut butter cups, B. M&M's, C. KitKats, D. Snickers
Evans: Never been a huge fan of KitKats.
Guerriero: B. Peanut M&M’s
Gutierrez: Tough one, but I would have to get rid of M&M’s … To be clear, not because I believe they are bad, it’s just that all the other choices are too valuable!
Ryan: MY&M's ... I guess? Definitely NOT Reese’s peanut butter cups. Chocolate and peanut butter are one of my favorite pairings!