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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.
Megan Dye – University of North Alabama, Associate Athletic Director for External Relations
by Laurie Bollig – College Sports Communicators, Director of Membership Engagement
When the CSC all-in membership model was adopted in 2022, senior associate AD for communications and current CSC secretary Jeff Hodges made sure
Megan Dye — North Alabama’s associate AD for external relations — was included in the school’s membership, making her one of the first non-traditional athletics communicators with CSC membership this year.
Dye joined the UNA Athletics staff in August of 2013 and served as the Director of Development for Athletics from 2013-2018 before taking over athletics marketing and annual giving. She also serves as the cheer and dance squad administrator. She graduated from Auburn University in May of 2010 with a degree in Communication and Business.
Within the UNA Athletics Department, Dye’s duties include the planning and implementation of the department’s marketing and social media initiatives, overseeing the booster club campaigns and membership, alumni engagement, and athletic donor hospitality.
Dye with members of her family who participated in the annual Football Golf Tournament, an event coordinated by Megan.
As a senior administrator over several areas within the athletic department at North Alabama, you represent one of our first members outside the traditional sports information/athletics communications area. Why was it important for you to be included in North Alabama’s CSC membership?
MD: I enjoy the collaboration between our marketing and communications team. I think both departments are critical to the success of an athletics department, as well as in the promotion and spotlight of our teams and student-athletes. The more these two areas can engage and collaborate, the more exposure and recognition your teams will receive. I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with other CSC professionals around the country and continue to grow in our profession.
Your colleague Jeff Hodges is a long-time member and leader within CSC. Talk about your relationship with Jeff on a day-to-day basis and describe the value he adds to your school.
MD: Jeff Hodges is one of the most respected individuals at North Alabama. He has built our sports communications deartment from the ground up and continues to be so respected amongst his peers. Jeff took me under his wing from day one at North Alabama and has been a great role model for me to learn and grow from. We work very closely from anything related to the promotion of program/student-athlete accolades to the marketing of major department announcements and schedule releases. We also work closely together on press conferences, alumni reunions, and other special events. As I have watched him mentor so many young professionals in our department over the past 10 years, I hope that I can do the same for others.
Dye and UNA colleague Jeff Hodges, Senior Associate AD-Communications and the CSC secretary, at the 2017 CoSIDA Convention in Orlando where Hodges received the Arch Ward Award for outstanding contributions to the field of college athletics communications.
Does your job overlap with any of the athletics communications duties? If so, what goes into the collaboration and what makes it work?
MD: Yes, as the world of social media has evolved, our jobs have overlapped more and more. With any major announcement within our department, not only do we release information to the media, but we also coordinate those media releases with social media releases. We work together on the best timing for releases to gain the best exposure from our media and fan base. Our sports information team also keeps marketing in the loop on any upcoming program milestones and other notes so that we can be prepared to drop that information to the public at sporting events or on social media.
You likely have a 30,000-foot view of the daily operations of an athletic department. What can you tell us about how standard operating procedures have changed as a result of the pandemic? What still needs to change?
MD: As it did with so many across the country, the pandemic forced us to think outside the box with our operating procedures. From digitizing tickets, to making our games more accessible to our fans from home, to finding strategic ways to generate revenue, we were creative in our approach to keep the department going while also being realistic of the unprecedented times we were in. It challenged us to evolve to the times, and showed us that we can continue to evolve even now in the ever changing world of athletics.
Megan Dye with department colleagues as she received the Friend of the University Award in 2021.
Reflecting on your career to date, what is one piece of advice you would give your younger self about finding your passion and how to go about making it a career?
MD: My best advice would be to not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. As a communication major, I truly never imagined getting involved in collegiate athletics. It was a wonderful opportunity that fell in my lap in a time where I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to take. This path was out of my comfort zone, but I am so thankful that I took that leap of faith and went for it. Now, 10 years later, I cannot imagine working in anything other than college athletics.
What are your interests and hobbies outside of college athletics?
MD: One of my favorite hobbies is to spend time with my family, including my husband and two-year-old little boy, Easton. Our careers can be so demanding, so any down time is best spent with my loved ones. Being from the Shoals area, we are fortunate to have the Tennessee River right in our backyard. I enjoy spending summers out on the river and spending time with friends.
Give one professional development tip for your colleagues in the profession.
MD: Have a great relationship with your co-workers. In college athletics, we all spend so much time away from our families, and it is so important to not only enjoy what you do every day, but who you do it with. When you work together and have good, trustworthy relationships with your colleagues it helps to do your best at your job every day. There is nothing better than knowing you have complete trust and support from those around you.
Megan Dye presenting at the annual UNA Player’s Choice Awards, an event recognizing the Lions’ sports teams and student-athletes for their successes over the year.
With NBA Hall of Famer and CSC Academic All-America program ambassador Bill Walton touring the North Alabama Athletic facilities. In August 2022, Walton was the keynote speaker for North Alabama’s annual Lion Pride Dinner & Auction.
Dye with colleagues at the North Alabama-Jacksonville State football game. This was a one direction football game hosted at the home of the Rocket City Trash Pandas, a Minor League Baseball Team in Madison, Alabama.
In September of 2022, the North Alabama Athletics Department partnered with local North Alabama alums and Singin’ River Brewing owners to launch Golden Mane, a craft beer with proceeds supporting the athletics department.