College Sports Information Directors of America

With the start of the new academic year in our sights, CSC’s Advocacy Committee offers the following self-advocacy tip to peers and colleagues.

A common thread among presenters during CSC Unite was the advice to step out from behind the desk and meet others on campus and in your own athletics department.

Begin your outreach with the school’s media relations department. It might go by a different name on your campus, but the university’s or college’s external communications staff is a great group of people with whom to share best practices and be in alignment.

• Invite the department director to meet for coffee - your treat, of course.
• Explain your department’s role in athletics - bring facts and data on your outreach to the media and on social platforms.
• Ask how your department can amplify the university’s messages through your channels.
• Establish a cadence for communication with this important group on campus.

Taking bold steps now to advocate for yourself can have a significant impact on your department. 

Advocacy Committee Leadership
Danny Barnts, Chair
Mike Williams, Vice Chair