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Three Up, Three Down is a Q&A series aimed at highlighting young members of the College Sports Communicators membership, their career paths and what they enjoy in their roles on a day-to-day basis.
Young professionals spotlight: Three up, three down with Jon Opiela — Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at New Mexico State University
by Cole Helman – Palm Beach Atlantic University, Director of Athletic Communications // CSC Young Professionals Committee
Jon Opiela’s journey working in sports has spanned across the country. Already in his young career, he has worked in Illinois, Florida, Georgia, and Oklahoma before finding his current position as assistant director of athletic communications at New Mexico State. He currently works as the media contact for football, baseball, men’s golf, and women’s golf for the Aggies.
Opiela got his start in athletics during his time at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. He served as a manager for the men’s basketball team and spent several summers working in baseball with the Frontier League and the Florida Collegiate Summer League. After leaving Grace, Opiela found himself in Rome, Georgia, serving as a sports information graduate assistant for NCAA DII Shorter University, while also doing some work with the Rome Braves, the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Opiela’s next stop was Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked at Oral Roberts as the media contact for women’s soccer, baseball, and indoor track & field. He also had the chance to work with the Tulsa Drillers, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the public relations department before landing in Las Cruces with the Aggies.
Through all of Opiela’s stops in his career, one thing has remained the same: his passion for sports and the joy that this industry brings him is always evident.
Jon Opiela on field with with New Mexico State following its 2022 WAC championship.
You’ve been at New Mexico State for a little over a year now. What have been some of your favorite moments?
JO: There's been some really neat moments involving my teams here in Las Cruces. Last spring, our baseball team snuck into the WAC Tournament as the fourth and final seed on our side of the bracket. Catching fire at the right time, the team went 4-0 to win the tournament and secure a spot in the NCAA Corvallis Regional. Heading up to Oregon to battle No. 3 Oregon State and Vanderbilt as part of my first NCAA Tournament experience was a bit surreal.
After making just one bowl game appearance since 1960, NM State football went 6-6 throughout the regular season and qualified for the Quick Lane Bowl. After starting 0-4 with losses on the road to Minnesota and Wisconsin, the season seemed somewhat bleak before the Aggies turned it around, winning four of the next five games, including the first road win in 1,498 days. After falling to Missouri, the Aggies needed back-to-back wins over Liberty and Valparaiso to reach .500 and the team did just that, throttling the two opponents by a combined score of 114-17.
After accepting the bid to the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, the next month was a whirlwind but also a dream come true. From putting together all of the necessary materials to the Ford Field site visit to all of the events across Detroit leading up to the event, the entire experience was everything I had ever hoped for. The 24-19 win over Bowling Green and being named Quick Lane Bowl champions was the cherry on top of the entire experience.
Being from Chicagoland, it was amazing to have my parents and my girlfriend, Becca, make the trip to the Motor City for Christmas. Heck, my college roommate and his wife even made the trip to Ford Field to cheer on the Aggies. Having a flurry of supporters travel over the holidays to root on our team was extremely memorable and I am thankful for each of those people.
Jon Opiela on site in Detroit at Ford Field for the Quick Lane Bowl.
Before making the move to college athletics, you had a lot of experience in minor league baseball. Are there things that you miss about it?
JO: Even now, I can't seem to get away from minor league baseball. I still spend some time working for the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. For me, I've always been a baseball fan and there are few better ways to spend a night than at the ballpark. While the day in, day out grind of a minor league season may be draining, I enjoy the atmosphere and the relationships you build with coworkers when you're spending pretty much every night together in the press box.
Jon Opiela during his time as the media contact for Oral Roberts baseball, women's soccer and indoor track & field.
You’ve worked in different cities all over the country. Do you have any advice for those that may be hesitant or worried about moving to a new location?
JO: I've always had a sense for travel and adventure and the moves to me have somewhat cured that desire. I never pictured myself living in Rome, Tulsa, or Las Cruces, but I wouldn't trade any of those places for the world. As I previously mentioned, I grew up in Chicagoland and I'm plenty used to the corn and bean fields. Waking up every morning and having a mountain range right outside of my window here in Las Cruces is truly spectacular.
For anybody who is having some doubts about moving to a new location, my advice will always be to take the risk. The risk will grant you access to a new culture, a new lifestyle, new cuisines, meet a whole new group of friends, and explore a flurry of new places.
Jon Opiela on the women's basketball sideline during time at Oral Roberts
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