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CSCommunicators.com/CelebrateCSC
This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CSC membership during the celebration of College Sports Communicators Membership Appreciation Week for 2022-23. See more features at CSCommunicators.com/CelebrateCSC.
Dominique Maneice – Wingate University, Assistant Athletic Director for Creative Services
by Michael Hawkins – Francis Marion University, Associate Athletic Director for Communication Services // CSC Membership Recognition Committee
Dominique Maneice is in his first year at Wingate, serving as Assistant Athletic Director of Creative Services at the NCAA Division II institution located in Wingate, North Carolina. He oversees creating and capturing digital content for all communications platforms and serves as the primary communications contact for Wingate football, men’s and women’s tennis, and softball. In his relatively young athletic communications career, Maneice has served at two NCAA divisional levels and in the NAIA. A graduate of DI Alabama A&M where he was a sports information student intern, he also worked at NCAA Division II Lake Erie College (Painesville, Ohio) prior to serving as sports information director at St. Andrews University (Laurinburg, NC) of the NAIA last year.
Below, Maneice talks about his role at Wingate, gives advice to young professionals (“Never get too big to fit in a window of opportunity”), and discusses how his four-year service in the United States Air Force has contributed to his current professional and personal successes.
In a studio photo shoot, Maneice with a myriad of Nike sneakers. One of his hobbies is being an avid sneaker collector.
You majored in mass communications in college, but what drew you to step into college athletics?
DM: As a student intern in the sports information department I was just looking to get my credit and be done. After my first semester I learned everything from inputting stats, creating graphics, and how to write game recaps. I found joy in all of the behind the scenes work and quickly gained so much respect for my sports information director. After earning my credits, I continued to work as an unpaid intern and just used every moment as a chance to gain more experience.
What would be your best tip/advice for a fellow athletic communications professional?
DM: Give your student workers and student-athletes a chance to help with content ideas. I always look back at a time when I first was learning how to use Photoshop. A student-athlete who was majoring in graphic design took time to show me how to use it and now we have been connected ever since. I will never turn down a student that wants to go out and get content.
Maneice capturing video footage during Wingate’s upset 23-6 victory over seventh-ranked Benedict College in NCAA Division II second round play-off football action this past November 26.
You served in the Air Force, and thank you for your service. Did that disciplined lifestyle help you in any way once you joined the ranks of college sports communications?
DM: Yes, tremendously. As a young airman, you are taught three Core Values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I live by these values every day as a college sports communicator.
As sport communicators we are the ones who feed the world with information, which makes
integrity a critical characteristic in our profession. I am thankful to be working in an athletic department that values my opinions and allows me to have creative freedom. I hold myself accountable to remain honest, respectful, and professional every day.
Service before self comes naturally as a sports communicator. Often, we are the first ones in and last ones out. I have been fortunate enough to have been in departments that value work-life balance. On the other side of that, I am willing to go above and beyond in my role. Being able to share all of the special moments of the student-athletes, coaches, and the university requires non-typical work hours, but the outcome has been so rewarding. I truly believe my role as a college sports communicator allows me to serve a greater purpose.
Attention to detail is one of the most important things in the military and in athletic communications. I strive to always put my best work out no matter what and often I am my own critic.
Excellence in all we do is not saying you can’t make mistakes but rather continuously striving to improve and get better. I have a passion for learning new things and gaining knowledge from others.
Serving as photographer at a Wingate soccer game.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in our industry and how did you overcome them?
DM: Being at a few smaller schools, it’s easy to say it is staffing issues. The expectations have increased and some staffs are shrinking. Having the ability to be able to voice your opinions with your leadership staff is very important. I am fairly new to the profession so I am thankful to be in a position now where I can work alongside two great people, Hugh Patton (Director of Athletic Communications) and a legend in the industry, Mr. David Sherwood (Director of Public Relations and Student-Athlete Recognition) who is a CSC Lester Jordan Award and 25-Year Award recipient.
What are your biggest enjoyments in our profession?
DM: I enjoy being a storyteller with my camera. No matter if it is a 30-second Instagram reel or a two-minute hype video, I love seeing the engagement each video gets. Another enjoyment about our profession is the ability to network. There are so many great content creators out there I always try to follow and like other peoples’ work. It always is nice getting team gear too!
Maneice with Hugh Patton, Wingate’s Assistant AD for Athletic Communications (left) at the 2022 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships with the national runnerup trophy.
What advice can you give young and new content creators/athletics communication professionals as they pursue this career?
DM: A quote that I heard early on that stuck with me was “Never get too big to fit in a window of opportunity.” No matter if it is running stats around the press box, wrapping cords and cleaning up the scorer’s table or creating everyone’s favorite ‘happy birthday’ graphic, always do things to the best of your abilities. Have a sense of urgency and take pride in your work.
Lastly, treat every day like a job interview because you never know when someone is going to speak highly of you.
Mental health and physical health among CSC’s membership have been an ever-increasing focus. Have you taken any strides in your own life to improve either of these areas?
DM: As a military veteran and someone who has struggled with self-doubt, I have learned so much about my mental health recently. Being open and transparent about my struggles has allowed me to be a light to others that don’t have someone to talk to. Meditation and a strong faith has allowed me to remain calm and has taught me to focus on the things that I am able to control.
Quick Hitters:
Video OR still photography: video
Compiling in-game stats OR writing post-game recaps: in-game stats
Favorite sports jersey to wear: Vince Carter’s North Carolina Tar Heels jersey
Favorite social media platform: Instagram (SMDOMO)
Favorite relaxing non-work activity: being an avid sneaker collector!
Maneice getting ready to log video highlights during a Wingate-Bluefield State men’s basketball game.