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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.
Chris McKibben – Bates College, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
by Dan Ruede – University of New Haven, Associate AD - Strategic Communications // CSC Executive Board of Directors College Division Representative
An avid baseball fan his entire life,
Chris McKibben followed his passion right out of college (a graduate of the University of Southern Maine) and became the Director of Media Relations for a minor league baseball team in New Britain, Conn. - the New Britain Rock Cats, then a Double AA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
McKibben left sports for five years but when the opportunity to return came from Division II Georgian Court University, he jumped at the chance. While at GCU, he also had the opportunity to serve on a number of national committees including the National Committee on Women’s Athletics, Woman of the Year Selection Committee, and the Student-Athletes with Disabilities Subcommittee.
This past summer, after 15 years as the Associate Director of Athletics for Communications and Operations for the Lions, McKibben returned to the Pine Tree State for the first time since graduating from Southern Maine when he joined the staff at Bates College as the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications.
McKibben with his children, daughter Paige (left) and son Trevor (right), at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio during the summer of 2021.
How did you first become interested in athletic communications?
CM: I was a completely obsessed baseball fan as a kid and teenager. I knew every player, memorized every fact on my baseball cards, kept score of games off the television. When I was an undergrad at the University of Southern Maine, I saw the Double-A Eastern League was headquartered in Portland, Maine. I wrote a letter directly to the league president and asked for a job. My two-year internship with the Eastern League morphed into an almost 20-year career in the business of athletic communications. I literally followed my passion.
How did you find the transition of working in professional sports to collegiate sports?
CM: I had actually left the realm of athletics completely for about five years between my last day working in Minor League Baseball and starting my position at Georgian Court University (2003-08), so I was just ecstatic to be back in the profession. There were certainly differences between professional and collegiate sports, but the common goal was the same from a communications aspect. It’s always been a focus of mine to highlight the athlete as an individual, first and foremost. Everyone has a story to tell, many don’t even know it. It is our job to draw it to the surface. From the all-star and all-American to the last player off the bench, 99% have a story to share and promote.
Until this summer, McKibben has served at NCAA Division II Georgian Court for 15 years. Here, he is pictured with alumni of the college.
What advice do you have for young professionals looking to start a career in sports communications?
CM: My advice always starts with be ready to work. This career is not for those that want to put in a 9 to 5 shift and then call it a day. It’s as unorthodox as it comes, and you’ll be doing things you’d never imagine would fall under your responsibility. Being a multitasker is essential, but so is the ability to ask for help when you need it.
The biggest piece of advice to the young professionals is to take care of yourself. Looking back, I wish I did things differently at times. The burnout is real. Eat well, exercise, get quality rest. Make every attempt to have a balance between professional and personal life. Be there for your family. Get to your child’s sporting event or dance recital. Work will always be there, those special moments with your loved ones will not.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. People have said to me, “come on, you’re the creative one … be creative!” It’s not that easy, obviously. Creativity comes from dozens of errors prior to the final product. The fun is the process. Trust it. We are not working for NASA. We are not brain surgeons. Everything is fixable. Enjoy the ride.
What is your favorite part of being an athletics communicator?
CM: Well, first of all, every day is completely different. There is an excitement of sorts working in this type of environment. Having the ability to share the accomplishments and personal stories of our talented student-athletes, coaches, team personnel, and administration never gets old. Seeing the joy our efforts bring them, as well their family, friends, and followers, is tremendous. Knowing my communications team and I provide a vital service to the department and college is something I’m very proud of.
We are typically behind the scenes and a majority of our time is spent promoting others, so we as athletic communicators don’t get a lot of recognition ourselves. That’s okay though, it’s not about personal accolades. It is very gratifying when an individual or team receives positive publicity as a result of our promotional efforts.
An avid runner, McKibben has competed in three marathons.
How have you adapted to the many changes in our profession over the years?
CM: This question, wow! It’s mind-blowing how much has changed in five years, let along over two decades. I was a journalism major. Writing was at the core of everything, now that skillset is almost antiquated. It’s about technology, video production, social media. Adapting to it all has been overwhelming at times. When I finally came to the realization that I don’t have to personally know how to do everything, I was much more at ease.
The key these days is to surround yourself with talent. I lean tremendously on the students themselves and have learned so much by observing what they do. Ask about their interests and what they want from us from a communications standpoint. Collaboration is essential to success.
Outside of work, what would we find you doing?
CM: First and foremost, my top priority is spending time with my children. They are now teenagers (19 & 16), so hanging out with Dad doesn’t always fit in their busy worlds, but I never pass up time with them. I enjoy running (I’ve completed three marathons in my lifetime, but a nice 5K is more my speed now). I also enjoy cooking, reading, and watching old movies. I love to travel and experience new locales and off-the-beaten-path types of adventures. I don’t miss a second of Kansas Jayhawks basketball, and I am an avid New York Yankees and Jets fan.
McKibbben with Bates Director of Athletics Jason Fein (right) and Tia Day (left), a Bates communications staff member who serves as Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotions.
What is your favorite memory from your 15+ year career in athletic communications?
CM: There’s an infinite number of memories, my goodness. So many great moments and so many great people. If I was to select one favorite memory, it would be serving on the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. This award is one of the most prestigious awards in collegiate athletics, and I still don’t think it gets the level of recognition it deserves. The process is arduous, yet so gratifying. Combing through hundreds of applications and personal statements. Learning about these young women, and reading about their trials and tribulations, while still performing at an extremely high level in the classroom and in their respective field of competition. Hearing about the impact they have made on campus, in the community, across the country, and, in some cases, around the world. And then sitting in that ballroom as the Top-30 is introduced, and seeing the appreciation each individual has for the opportunity to be on that stage, and love and appreciation they have for each other. Knowing I played a small part in making that happen, it was just awesome.
During your career, you have served on numerous committees. Why do you feel committee participation is important to you professionally?
CM: Committee participation has been extremely gratifying. First and foremost, the opportunity to work with folks from every corner of the country, from each level of NCAA, is incredible. My most fulfilling committee experience, like I mentioned, was when I served on the National Committee on Women’s Athletics and Woman of the Year Selection Committee. Where else can a small DII school like Georgian Court University (where I was working at the time) sit at the same table as a collegiate powerhouse like the University of Notre Dame and have the same voice? It was fascinating. Regardless of the institution, regardless of division, the focus is the same … the success and well-being of the student-athletes.