College Sports Information Directors of America

by Jessica Poole – 2022-23 College Sports Communicators President  @JessPooleA2
Minnesota Aurora FC, Chief Operations Officer

Hi friends,
 
Last month in my column I talked about giving yourself permission to make decisions that serve you and your family and this month I get to talk about how I did this in a major way.
 
On March 9, 2023 I was named the Chief Operating Officer for Minnesota Aurora FC, a women’s USL soccer team in Minnesota. It wasn’t a decision that I came to lightly but it was one that I made with an emphasis on myself and my family and with a focus on my career.
 
The opportunity to start a front office of a pre-professional sports team that aspires to be in the NWSL is one that I couldn’t pass up and is a testimony to all of the skillsets I have learned both as a college sports communicator and in the college athletics field.
 
When this opportunity presented itself it really made me think about all of the experiences that I have been afforded by being in college athletics.
 
As a communicator, I have learned how to build relationships with both students, coaches and administrators. A viable skill that I will need heading into this next chapter.
 
As an administrator, I have learned how to build teams and culture. I have learned how to collaborate internally and externally. These skills will help me immensely in the next chapter.
 
As a parent, I have learned that things can change quickly and you have to be prepared for any and everything. This is a skill I’m still learning but it will be vital during this transition.
 
This opportunity would never have come my way if it wasn’t for my career as a communicator and in college athletics. I owe this next chapter to my experience as a college sports communicator and administrator, it truly would not have even been an option had I not leaned into this wonderful profession.
 
While this decision is a wonderful opportunity to advance my career, my son Big Will was the driving factor. For the first two years of his life, he has been at the mercy of my schedule, which has been the schedules of my teams. He’s had to take swim classes at random times, he’s had to spend a lot of time in gyms and in stands, and he’s had to share his mom with a lot of other people — and we all know toddlers aren’t the best at sharing!
 
Don’t get me wrong, we have enjoyed all that college athletics has brought our family. We love sports and have already purchased season tickets to several Minnesota teams because we love them so much, but we need some balance and this opportunity allows us to do that.
 
I also want to assure you all that I’m not going anywhere. This opportunity would not be possible without College Sports Communicators and I am committed to continuing the work that we have started and being involved in continuing to push our organization to higher heights.
 
Until next month,
 
Jess