College Sports Information Directors of America

Related Content
• Learn more about CSC Women at: CSCommunicators.com/CSCWomen
• CSC Women to Watch Feature Archive
• CSC 30 Under 30 program

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This is part of our 2025-26 CSC Women to Watch series, a series which spotlights a variety of female members in our association. CSC Women is a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Member Resource Community, 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.

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CSC Women to Watch
Lauren Bryne-Dunn
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Associate Commissioner

by Colby Shannon, CSC Intern

College Sports Communicators’ woman to watch for the month of October is Lauren Bryne-Dunn! Bryne-Dunn serves as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Associate Commissioner and has been in this role since July 2024. She is in her 6th year with the MIAA, and in her tenure has taken over the designation of Senior Women Administrator. She also serves as the conference’s Regional Advisor Committee representative for Division III men’s tennis. Additionally, Bryne-Dunn has been a member of the Division III Assistant Commissioners Group, where she was recently elected as Second Vice Chair.

Bryne-Dunn has always sought out opportunities for professional growth and development. In the fall of 2023 she was selected by the NCAA to attend the Division III Senior Women Administrator Program. She also became an NCAA Division III Inclusive Leadership Workshop facilitator in 2024 and 2025. This year, Bryne-Dunn was selected to attend the fall summit and NCAA Impact Forum in November.

Bryne-Dunn is a 2018 alum of the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s in psychology. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in sports administration in 2020 from Wayne State University. During her time at Wayne State she served as a sports information graduate intern, worked for the Detroit Tigers Foundation event staff, worked game days for the Detroit Lions on the marketing promotional team, and volunteered at the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Bryne-Dunn has been an active member of CSC joining the Professional Development and Continuing Education Committee, the CSC Mentorship Committee, and the CSC 30 Under 30 Selection Committee for the Class of 2025. She was selected for the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 and the 2025-26 Inclusion Fellowship Program. 
 
What inspired you to enter the field of college athletics communications?
LBD: I had a very nontraditional start to my career in athletics. It wasn’t something I actively pursued until after completing my bachelor’s degree, as I originally planned to go into psychology. Once I decided to pursue athletics, I knew I had to gain experience quickly if I wanted to break into this profession.

As luck would have it, I received an email in 2018 that Wayne State Baseball was looking for volunteers to help with its summer camp, hosted with the Detroit Tigers. After the camp, WSU head baseball coach Ryan Kelly told me that Wayne State Athletics was seeking a sports information graduate intern. With little knowledge of the role and almost no experience in sports, I gave the interview my all and landed the internship.

I was fortunate to have mentors in Jeff Weiss and Cam Weidenthaler, who guided me in my two years there as I gained invaluable experience overseeing my own sports and being hands-on during gamedays. The experience made for a natural transition to my position with the MIAA, which is heavily sports-information based.

I truly enjoy sharing the stories of our student-athletes and institutions while continuing to grow on the administrative side of athletics. I am also incredibly thankful to have started in sports information, as it gave me a deeper respect and understanding of the challenges our conference’s sports information and communications personnel face. I owe much of my professional success to the support and collaboration of the communicators at our nine schools over the past five years, and I am so grateful for them.
 
What does it mean to you to be named a CSC 30 Under 30 and why is it important for young professionals to get involved in CSC?
LBD: I was absolutely speechless when I learned that I had been named a CSC 30 Under 30 honoree. Receiving such a prestigious recognition meant everything to me, and I was especially proud to represent the girls and women who aspire to work in this industry one day.

I believe it’s important for young professionals to get involved in CSC because of the incredible educational opportunities and networking it provides – both of which are invaluable especially when just starting out. From the mentorship program to opportunities to serve on committees, CSC Unite, and more, there are so many ways to get connected with others in the industry who may be a few steps ahead of you. You never know who might open the door to your next opportunity!

Is there a female sports professional that you admire and who has inspired you? Why? And what do you admire most about them?
LBD: The first female sports professional I truly admired was Penny Allen-Cook, the first commissioner I worked under. She took a chance on me when I was fresh out of graduate school, with only an internship and a few professional sport experiences on my résumé. More importantly, she showed me what it means to be a woman leading with strength and confidence in the sports industry.

I am also fortunate to work alongside incredible women in leadership positions within our conference. I deeply admire the passion they pour into their departments and teams, and they are often among the first people I turn to when I need advice or an outside perspective.

Finally, my ultimate role model is my mom. While she doesn’t work in sports, she has shaped my understanding of leadership and resilience more than anyone else. She is strong, fearless, and an unwavering source of support and guidance in every aspect of life. I aspire to embody even half of the woman she is – both personally and professionally.
 
Do you have any advice for young women who are looking to enter into the industry, or are just getting their start?
LBD: My biggest piece of advice is: don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Imposter syndrome is very real, especially when you’re just starting out, but remember that you belong in the room and you deserve a seat at the table.

Seek out mentorship and advice from women who have been in the industry longer than you. Most are more than willing to share their experiences, and those conversations can provide invaluable perspective. Networking really is key – while it may sound cliché, it’s the truth. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the connections I’ve built along the way.

Take advantage of every opportunity to connect, whether it’s reaching out to women in sports on LinkedIn for an informational interview or building relationships within your own institution, conference, or regional and national organizations.

Finally, believe in your voice. The sports industry needs diverse perspectives and strong women leaders. Don’t just look for a seat at the table – bring your ideas, your passion, and your authenticity, because that’s what will truly set you apart.

Of the many accomplishments you’ve had in your 6 years at the MIAA, which experience are you the most proud of?
LBD: Of all the experiences I’ve had during my time with the MIAA, I am most proud of the opportunities I’ve had to make a tangible impact on both the student-athlete experience and the broader athletics community. Being selected for national programs such as the CSC Inclusion Fellowship, the NCAA Fall Summit, and the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 have been incredible honors, and they reaffirm that the work I’m doing matters beyond our conference.

I’m also proud of developing conference-wide mental health and wellness resources for student-athletes. Mental health continues to be one of the most pressing issues in athletics today, and sharing tools to support the well-being of our student-athletes is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

Looking back, it’s hard to single out just one moment – but the common thread in the accomplishments I value most is the ability to create opportunities, elevate voices, and continue to assist in the growth of America’s First Conference.
 
What aspirations do you have for your future in sports communications?
LBD: I can’t say with certainty if I’ll remain in sports communications long term, but I know that everything I’ve learned over the past eight years will carry forward into any future role I hold. The skills I’ve developed are tools I’ll use throughout my career.

Looking ahead, I could absolutely see myself stepping into a role as a conference commissioner one day. A true bucket-list dream, though, would be working within the University of Michigan’s Athletics Department. Michigan athletics has always been a part of my family’s story – my grandpa held season tickets for over 25 years and my family has carried on the tradition to this day. The pride, passion, and history in Ann Arbor are undeniable, and it would be an incredible honor to serve in a leadership capacity for the Wolverines one day.

What have you found most challenging about your new role as Associate Commissioner and what have you done to combat these challenges?
LBD: I wouldn’t say my job has changed drastically with the title change, but my role has certainly evolved since I first started in 2020. Over time -- and through a few different commissioner transitions -- I have taken on more responsibilities and have tried to be someone our members can rely on for anything they need.

The biggest challenge is often balancing everything and making sure tasks get done in a timely manner without dropping the ball. This is especially true during our championships, when a million things are happening at once and we are operating as a two-person conference. I don’t have a perfect answer for how I’ve managed these challenges, but I’m fortunate to work with incredibly supportive individuals at our institutions who are always willing to step in and provide support when tough situations arise.

I’d also point out that while wearing many different hats can be challenging at times, it’s also one of the unique benefits of working in Division III. I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience across different areas, which I know will benefit me in the long run – even if it can feel stressful in the moment.
 
Quick Hitters with Lauren:
Your dream job as a kid: I honestly had to ask my parents about this one because I can’t remember one job ever sticking with me as a “dream job”. My mom said that I was really into playing school, reading books, and teaching my younger sister, so she thought I would want to be a teacher. I also wanted to be on Broadway once I made my theatrical debut as a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz.

If you could have dinner with one famous person who would it be and why? Hilary Duff. I was obsessed with Lizzie McGuire and my dad took me to two of her concerts. She also seems like a genuinely good, down-to-earth person so it would be great to just sit down and chat!

Who is your favorite U Michigan professional athlete alum? Right now, I would say it’s Aiden Hutchinson. I loved watching Hutchinson during his time at Michigan and it’s awesome to see him thriving professionally in Detroit!

Favorite professional sports team: Detroit Lions

Favorite season: Fall

What’s a fun fact that not many people know about you? Everyone in my personal life knows this but probably less people in my professional circle… I have been involved in theatre (as mentioned above) and choir since sixth grade. Although it’s been hard to be onstage with this job, I try to assistant direct at a professional dinner theatre called The Dio when I can. I am also a member of the Livingston County Chorale and a subgroup of LCC called #JTS.

Favorite fall activity: Besides attending Michigan football games, probably visiting the cider mill!