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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.
Heather Brocious – William Paterson University, Director of Athletics Communications and Compliance
by Will Roleson – College Sports Communicators, Associate Executive Director
Heather Brocious is in her 17th year as a member of the William Paterson Athletics staff in 2022-23, joining the Pioneers in September of 2006 as the sports information director. She served in that capacity for 11 seasons, including seven years as assistant athletic director (2010-17), before assuming the title of director of athletics communications and compliance during the summer of 2017.
Brocious with Shaunagh Guinness (in the furry hood), Maureen Conley (pink scarf) and Karen Stepsus during a trip to Iceland at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall.
You are in your 17th year at William Paterson. What has kept you at WPU?
HB: I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to grow professionally and take on new responsibilities while at William Paterson, and that has kept me challenged and engaged throughout my time here. One of the things that attracted me to WP, and to Division III as a whole, was the opportunity to expand into other facets of college athletics and higher education as a whole. Since I’ve been here, I’ve learned so much about administration, scheduling and compliance, served on non-athletics work groups, co-chaired a campus-wide athletics rebranding committee, and even taught as an adjunct communications professor. I really enjoy that variety outside of the traditional athletics communications responsibilities.
William Paterson is a special place, and I truly value the people I work with and the mission our institution serves as a mid-size public regional university. Close to half of our undergraduates are the first in their families to go to college, and we are designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, a Military Friendly School and an LGBTQ-friendly college. You can see the transformative effect a place like William Paterson can have on its students, and being a small part of that is very fulfilling.
I also really enjoy being a part of the New Jersey Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the country. Our conference staff and my colleagues at the other institutions are true professionals who are a real credit to our industry.
What are some of your favorite moments at WPU?
HB: We’ve been fortunate to have so many of our student-athletes, coaches and teams achieve their goals and dreams, to lift trophies, compete deep into the postseason and get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Those moments are special, but I always say that my favorite day of the year is Commencement. I station myself at the bottom of the platform with my camera, and I’m usually the first person to give our student-athletes a hug and congratulate them after they cross the stage at Newark’s Prudential Center. To see that smile as I take a photo, diploma cover proudly in hand, is what working in higher education is all about.
Brocious with Karen Stepsus at the 2021 New Jersey State Golf Association Four-Ball Championship.
In addition to communications duties, you're also your institution's compliance director. How have you incorporated that into your responsibilities and what advice do you have for others who wear multiple hats?
HB: There aren’t too many of us who have responsibilities in both athletics communications and compliance, but I find there are a lot of similar skills needed to be successful in each, such as attention to detail, ability to multi-task and capacity to problem solve. The busiest times for communications are also the busiest times for compliance -- the start of the fall season and the two crossover seasons. I’m very fortunate to have had tremendous sports information staff to load-share with since I took on this dual role, including our current SID Matt Tedino and graduate assistant Hannah Hirst. They really allow me to focus on the compliance and eligibility piece when it’s necessary for that to be my top priority.
What advice would you share for those who are juggling multiple roles in college athletics, or for those who might want to take on new responsibilities to advance their skill set and grow professionally?
HB: For those who are wearing multiple hats or might be interested in expanding beyond a solely-communications role, I think it’s really important to keep an open mind. I wasn’t actively looking to become a compliance director, but I’ve found that I really enjoy it, and relish working with our student-athletes to help them achieve their academic goals. Being open to new possibilities makes you open to potential new sources of personal fulfillment. I also think it’s important to have something to look forward to outside of work, and to prioritize that as much as possible – whether it’s a workout, dinner with someone you care about, a round of golf or a big trip. Work is important, but it’s not the only important thing in your life.
With one of William Paterson’s sports information student employees, Kristen Podmajersky, at 2018 commencement ceremonies.
Prior to WPU, you worked at Rutgers University with a nationally recognized women's basketball program and a Hall of Fame coach in C. Vivian Stringer. What are your memories of that experience at Rutgers?
HB: I learned so much during my time there, and really grew professionally and personally. Defeating three top-10 teams in eight days, the deep runs into the NCAA women’s basketball ournament and the back-to-back Big East Conference regular-season titles of course come to mind, as does watching soccer standout Carli Lloyd score from seemingly every spot on the pitch. But really, I remember more the chats about politics with C. Vivian Stringer in the car on the way to an interview, bringing Cappie Pondexter her math homework in the WNBA Draft green room, and watching Jim Cantore do a stand-up outside our Hartford hotel during my first Nor’easter.
When you travel with a group, the staff (coaches, equipment, athletic training, academic advising, operations, student managers, photographers, videographers and communications) becomes a family, and we had more laughs than I could possibly count or remember.
What got you into athletics communications at the start of your career?
HB: When I realized I could combine two of my great passions, writing and sports, into one career, I was sold. My first mentor, Michele Morano Holbrook at St. John Fisher College, gave me someone to look up to as a female in the business, and the trust and belief she showed in me really helped me take a leap and pursue a career in athletics. I’m forever grateful for her encouragement, and the guidance and support I have received from so many people during the various stops on my career journey.
Brocious recently took a trip to Iceland.