Related Content
• 2023 Special Awards Announcements and Features
• #CSCUnite23 Convention Home
• Past 25-Year Award Recipients
Chip Ransom – Shepherd University, Sports Information Director
CSC 25-Year Award
by Jeff Hodges – University of North Alabama (retired) // CSC Special Awards Committee chair
A 25-Year Award recipient,
Chip Ransom has served at his alma mater for his entire career, save one volunteer semester at another institution.
In November 1997, Ransom became Shepherd University’s director of sports information and promotions after serving at his alma mater the prior five-plus years as assistant sports information director. Previously, he also was a volunteer assistant in the Mount St. Mary’s sports information office in the spring of 1992. Ransom graduated from Shephard College in 1986.
The Chip Ransom family: Chip with wife, Wendy, and sons, Will and Jack in Annapolis, Maryland in 2014.Each one is a Shepherd graduate.
Talk a little about your background prior to starting at Shepherd and what drew you into athletic communications.
CR: I was fortunate that Dave Reeder of Mount St. Mary’s gave me an opportunity to volunteer for him. He wanted me to have a positive experience and that has stuck with me. I have tried to make it a good experience for those who work for me. Dave steered me to Shepherd where I was able to have the good fortune to learn under Mike Straley and Ernie Larossa. They were not only great mentors, they are great people. I am forever grateful to former athletic director and head football coach Monte Cater for giving me the opportunity to become the sports information director at Shepherd.
What is it about Shepherd that has kept you there for the last 25-plus years?
CR: I have been blessed to work at my alma mater and have both my sons work for me and graduate from Shepherd. I have to thank my wife, Wendy, for playing the single-parent role when I put in the crazy hours. It has been special building relationships with coaches, administrators, media, student-athletes, students, and fans. I enjoy it when former athletes stop by my office to chat.
What are some of the highlights of your time at Shepherd, or your fondest memories?
CR: We have had a number of conference championships and regional appearances. We have had many memorable come-from-behind wins that will be etched in my memory. The opportunity to travel to Kansas City to compete in the 2015 national championship football game was amazing.
It’s been rewarding to have several student-athletes win notable individual awards. Ryan Pope won the Rimington Award as the top center in Division II in 2007. Nathan Minnich won the Tino Martinez Award in 2012 as the top Division II baseball player, while Tyson Bagent won the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2021 as the top Division II football player. Aside from our successes in competition, I cherish the relationships built over the years with my fellow SIDs.
How have you seen technology change the profession during your time in athletic communications, for better or worse?
CR: We have come a long way since fax machines and doing statistics by hand. It is mind-boggling with all the technological advances we have endured over the years. We have so many tools to speed up the jobs that we take for granted. It will be interesting to see what kind of AI advances we will have in the upcoming years.
Gallery: (6-9-2023) Chip Ransom, 25-Year Award