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CSC Women to Watch Feature Archive
This is another feature of our 2024-25 CSC Women to Watch series, a series which spotlights a variety of female members in our association. CSC Women is a subdivision of College Sports Communicators, dedicated to serving the women in the athletics communications and creative field. CSC Women aims to encourage, empower and educate, while providing a positive and united presence for women in our field, both veterans and newcomers, and serving as their collective voice.
Monthly CSC Women Monday Meetup informal Zoom chats
The CSC Women Wind Down informal Zoom chats have been moved to a Monday Meetup. CSC Women hosts an informal Zoom monthly chat on a Monday in the late afternoon/early evening. The time is 8 PM (ET) / 7 PM (CT) / 6 PM (MT) / 5 PM (PT).
Join other female CSC members for discussions, idea-sharing and problem-solving assistance, and some light-hearted trivia and giveaways, too! All CSC female members are emailed a link to the Zoom chat (they are also posted in the #CSCWomen Slack channel and included in the weekly CSC email).
CSC Women to Watch
Tia Day
Bates College Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotions
by Barb Kowal, CSC Director of Operations and Professional Development
In just her third year as Bates College Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotions,
Tia Day has quickly made her mark as a rising athletic communications professional.
At NCAA Division III institution Bates, a liberal arts institution located in southwestern Maine (Lewiston), Day primarily oversees digital and social media efforts for Bates' 31-team program and managing the student assistant staff.
In these last two-plus years, Day has been nominated and recognized for her emerging leadership potential. In 2023, she was one of six recipients to earn a NCAA Inclusion College Sports Communicators (CSC) Convention Grant to attend the CSC convention in Orlando. She also attended the NESCAC Future Leaders Forum in 2023. Day also is participating in the 2024-25 CSC Inclusion Fellowship, a year-long interactive program and learning environment themed around "championing an inclusive culture" with the focus of meeting online, participating in webinars, and diving into and discussing online resources around DEIB. And, her involvement extends to her work on the CSC Young Professionals Committee.
Most recently, Day was chosen to attend the inaugural NCAA Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program, which was held in early December in Indianapolis. She discusses this below.
A Maine native, Day is a 2022 graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington, receiving a bachelor's in business economics with a minor in coaching. She also was a four-year basketball letterwinner for the Beavers.
Read more below about Tia and her passion for athletic communications, her involvement in CSC, and her desire to immerse herself in learning and leadership opportunities.
At the October 2024 Women Leaders in Sports Convention in Baltimore. Day is with Adrienne Shibles, the Associate Director of Athletics at Bates who is one of her mentors and close friends.
What do you love the most about this profession?
TD: I love that I get to be around sports for a living. Being an athlete my whole life, I knew I wanted to stay in the world of athletics once I graduated from college.
For those athletic communicators working on a small staff, what advice can you give them about prioritization and work balance? Your Bates communications staff is a three-member staff, so tell us about your strategies.
TD: For athletic communicators working on a small staff, I feel the key to success is open and consistent communication. At Bates, our three-member team—(Assistant AD for Communications) Chris McKibben, (Associate Director of Athletic Communications) Aaron Morse, and myself — cover 31 varsity sports, so we are in constant contact to coordinate tasks, determine priorities, and ensure coverage. We hold weekly meetings to stay organized and outline responsibilities for the upcoming week.
My advice for communicators with a small staff is to establish an honest and open line of communication from the start. It's crucial to set clear roles and expectations at the beginning of each academic year. Unexpected challenges — like illnesses or family responsibilities — can arise, so having each other's back and being willing to step in makes all the difference.
Day was one of 30 young athletic communications professionals chosen for the inaugural 2024 Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program. The photo was taken at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis.
How are responsibilities divided on your staff of three? What are the main focuses of your work?
TD: When I joined Bates, I was brand new to the field, while Chris and Aaron were seasoned professionals. Instead of dictating how things should be done, they welcomed my input and encouraged me to share my vision and goals for our team, for which I am grateful. From the beginning, we identified our strengths and preferences: For example, Chris and Aaron excel at recap and feature writing and enjoy that aspect of the work, while I have a passion for creating graphics and promotions. They entrusted me with managing our social media platforms, but whenever I need assistance—for example, with a video project—they're always willing to help. Additionally, they've taught me valuable skills like statistical input and gameday management, which we divide among us by sport. (Shoutout to Chris and Aaron, they are the BEST!)
My primary responsibilities on our team include social media, graphics, promotions, and managing our student workers. Like many athletic communicators, my list of duties often feels endless, but I've learned that balancing priorities and leaning on a supportive team can make even the busiest workload manageable.
We are so appreciative of your involvement in CSC! As part of the CSC Young Professionals Committee (YPC) and YPC Social Media Subcommittee. What initiatives and volunteer work are you focusing on?
TD: Being part of the CSC Young Professionals Committee (YPC) and its social media sub-committee has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The YPC focuses on amplifying the voices of young professionals in our field, with a key initiative being the annual, popular 30-Under-30 Awards. Working on the selection process and getting to know this year's class was a cool experience. It's inspiring to see the incredible talent and dedication within our profession. I joined this group to connect with new people and help shine a spotlight on the great work being done in athletic communications.
As part of the social media subcommittee, we continue to celebrate young professionals by creating content, such as "Day in the Life" videos and infographics for the CSC Instagram. Our primary goal is to foster a sense of community by sharing stories, career journeys, and accomplishments through social media campaigns.
Day at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during a visit to the NCAA national office.
What would you tell others about getting involved in CSC?
TD: CSC has played such a significant role in advancing my career, and I'm passionate about giving back and helping others whenever I can. It's truly a privilege to collaborate with so many dedicated professionals and contribute to making a positive impact within CSC!
As a young professional, you've already attended numerous events, served on a CSC committee, received a CSC convention grant and attended the new Division III Emerging Elite program in Indianapolis earlier this month. Why are these professional development and leadership opportunities important to you, and what is your advice to other young professionals about carving out time in their schedules for these opportunities?
TD: As I entered my third season with Bates this year, I knew I wanted to take a more active role in the world of athletic communications. Prioritizing professional development has been a key focus for me as I strive to learn, grow, and adapt as a communications professional. Leadership opportunities have also been a priority as I look to advance my career and take on new challenges.
This field is constantly evolving, especially with the rapid changes in social media and new promotional strategies emerging every day. Staying proactive through professional development and leadership roles not only enhances my own skills, but also benefits my department and helps me better serve the student-athletes.
For other young professionals looking to get involved and expand their networks: simply reach out to others in the field—reach out to me! I've joined several groups just by sending an email. The athletic communications community is incredibly supportive, and I've found that everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed.
You've been the recipient of several grants to assist your professional development opportunities. What can you tell others about applying for these type of grants, particularly as university funding might be challenging at times?
I also encourage applying for grants whenever possible. Grants are an amazing way to attend events like the CSC convention, visit the NCAA office, or participate in professional development opportunities that allow you to network with others in the industry.
One specific grant I highly recommend is the NCAA Inclusion CSC Convention Grant, which is a fantastic program led by Marcus Thatcher. He does an incredible job with it, and the application is open now! Opportunities like this are invaluable for personal and professional growth, and I strongly encourage young professionals to take advantage of them.
The Bates College athletic communications team…plus Director of Athletics Jason Fein, who began his career in sports communications. L to R: Day, Aaron Morse, Chris McKibben, and Fein.
Building on your previous response, what are some of your goals, career-wise?
TD: This past year, I've been reflecting more intentionally on my career goals. I truly love my work at Bates and within the Division III community, but a "dream" type job I've been intrigued by is exploring professional sports—specifically the WNBA, given my background as a former basketball student-athlete.
Another aspiration of mine is to grow as a leader, particularly as a woman in sports. Attending the Women Leaders in Sports annual convention this past October in Baltimore was a transformative experience. It was empowering to be surrounded by so many inspiring women who are leading the way in the sports industry.
Any other educational studies on the horizon for you?
TD: I also have a strong desire to further my education by pursuing a master's degree. Continuing to learn and grow, both academically and professionally, is a priority for me as I work toward advancing in my career and making a meaningful impact in the field.
You are part of the 2024 CSC Inclusion Fellowship, a year-long cohort that is themed around championing an inclusive culture in your work environment. What impact has this program had for you to date?
TD: Being part of the 2024 CSC Inclusion Fellowship has been an awesome experience that has already made a significant impact on me, both personally and professionally. The program's focus on championing an inclusive culture has encouraged me to take a more intentional approach to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within my work environment.
Through the fellowship, I've gained valuable insights and tools to better understand the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in college athletics. It has inspired me to reflect on my own practices and identify ways to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for everyone I work with, from student-athletes to colleagues.
It is apparent that growing as a young leader and being empowered are important goals and aspirations for you…
TD: Yes. For instance, collaborating with this group of passionate and like-minded professionals in the Inclusion Fellowship has opened my eyes to different perspectives and approaches to DEIB work. It's empowering to know we are collectively working toward creating lasting change in our respective spaces.
Day (No. 13) was a Division III basketball student-athlete at the University of Maine at Farmington.
What are some of the highlights of your time working with student-athletes and some of their achievements, on and off the playing field or court?
TD: Many of my student workers are also student-athletes, which gives me the unique opportunity to connect with them beyond their performances in the competitive arena. Getting to know them on a deeper level and watching them learn about the behind-the-scenes work we do is incredibly rewarding. Seeing their appreciation for our efforts makes their victories feel even sweeter! It's particularly special when we can highlight their commitment to giving back to the community.
One moment that stands out was in the fall of 2023, following the tragic Lewiston (Maine) shootings. It was truly inspiring to see our campus come together to support the Lewiston community during such a dark time. I vividly remember our field hockey team hosting the first round of the NESCAC tournament, where they sold shirts to raise funds for the families affected. While they secured a win on the field that day, the real victory was the unity and compassion shown by our student-athletes and the entire campus Community.
As someone growing up in Maine, it was deeply moving to witness the Bates community rallying together to support the Lewiston-Auburn area. To this day, our teams remain dedicated to giving back and continuing to support those impacted by the tragedy. Moments like these remind me how special it is to work alongside such compassionate and driven individuals.
You just returned from the first Division III Emerging Elite sessions in Indianapolis, coordinated and sponsored by the NCAA Division III governance staff in partnership with CSC. What was it like to know that you were selected from a very competitive group of nominees to attend this inaugural D3 leadership session?
TD: This program was absolutely incredible, especially because it was specifically tailored to the Division III community. (NCAA Division III assistant director) Katie Mucci and the CSC D3 Cabinet/D3SIDA board, did an outstanding job bringing it to life. I'm so grateful to have been part of the inaugural class. It was truly special to be among the 29 other recipients, each of whom is doing amazing work in Division III athletic communications.
Being selected for this program was an honor, and it gave me the chance to connect with some incredible professionals in our field. I learned so much from the experience and walked away with a wealth of new knowledge and valuable contacts. I'm excited to continue building these relationships and hopefully reconnect with everyone at the CSC Convention in June!
What are your top 2-3 takeaways from attending the Emerging Elite event?
- Advocate for yourself
- Prioritize work-life balance
- DISC Assessment helped me to better understand myself
Over the summer at the NCAA national office, Day pictured with several other recipients who received 2023 NCAA Inclusion CSC Convention Grants. Part of the grant package is a trip to the national office for learning and networking opportunities.
Switching gears…Who are your role models?
TD: My parents are my greatest role models. They've both overcome challenges in their lives and taught me the value of resilience and determination. My mother was adopted from South Korea at the age of seven, and my father built his business entirely from the ground up through sheer hard work and perseverance. They've shown me what it means to face life's obstacles head-on and never take "no" for an answer. I'm so grateful for the life lessons they've instilled in me and for their unwavering support — I wouldn't be the person I am today without them!
Rapid fire with Tia
If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick? Spotify, Dunkin', Maps.
What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? Currently, I've been watching Modern Family!
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why? A strong work ethic, which may seem cliché but my dad taught me at a young age that, if I want to achieve something, I have to be willing to put the work in.
My go-to karaoke song is: Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield
Can't start my mornings without… Coffee!
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Probably a professional singer
What is your most prized possession? My dog, Mooki. He is my soul animal!
Outside of work, as she mentions, Tia loves to spend time with her dog, Mooki.