Announcing the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2025

Announcing the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2025

Related Content
• College Sports Communicators 30 Under 30 Program
• See all past 30 Under 30 recipients

College Sports Communicators has named the recipients of its 30 Under 30 Class of 2025. The honor recognizes emerging athletics communications professionals at all levels of college sports in strategic, creative and digital spaces.

"We are proud to recognize and honor the rising talent and amazing achievements of so many incredible individuals with the latest 30 Under 30 class," said 2025-26 CSC President Patrick Crawford. "College Sports Communicators, at its core, is an organization that is driven by the strengths, skills and passions of its members. As new communicators join our ranks and begin to build their careers, we are fortunate to take this opportunity to celebrate the best of CSC's young professionals. This class is representative of both the diversity of our membership and the breadth of our overall community. Congratulations to this year's honorees."

Members of the class include (click the name to read more about the honoree):
The recognition honors up-and-coming strategic, creative and digital athletics communications professionals throughout the CSC membership. Candidates are considered for selection based on achievement in one or more areas such as:
  • Professional success
  • Impact on their athletic department/conference office
  • Service to CSC

Nominees must be 29 years old or younger on December 31, 2025 and a current 2025-26 CSC member.

Of a record 183 nominations submitted, this year's class includes ten members from different levels of NCAA Division I, five Division II members, nine Division III members, three NAIA members, two members from a Canadian institution, and one two-year college member. 

Honorees in the 2025 class were chosen by a voting group composed of the Executive Board of Directors, the Advisory Council, CSC staff, leaders from all CSC committees and selected past winners.

Thanks to the following members of the Young Professionals Committee for compiling the winner profiles below: Nick Astalos, Matt Brooks, Steve Carlson, Pearllan Cipriano, Jennifer Coleman, Tia Day, Jerod Fox, Alex Gutierrez, Cole Helman, Brittany Iamele, Kristen Keller, Devin Knight, Morgan Lair, Meredith Mahoney, Brandt McCall, Jordan Modjeski, Patrick Murphy, Jon Opiela, Mike Prang, Jackson Prickard, Max Sacco, Jordan Sarnoff, Lynn Walsh and Emma White.

 
27321 Michael Abbott
UCLA
Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

"It's such a great honor to be named a member of CSC's 30-under-30 Class of 2025. I've been honored to work with such a hard-working and supportive team at UCLA, and it's been such a privilege to work with them every single day. I'd like to thank our administration, support staff, and coaches for their help over the past few years, I couldn't do it without them. I'd especially like to thank our SID crew, specifically Alex Timiraos and Liza David, for helping me develop into the communications professional I am today. I'm lucky to be a part of this industry, and I'm extremely excited for its future."

Michael Abbott joined the staff at UCLA in October 2023 and currently serves as the primary communications contact for Bruin men's soccer, swimming and diving, and men's volleyball.
 
On top of pitching stories to media, facilitating interviews, and making game notes and media guides assigned sports, Abbott has helped grow all of his team social media accounts with a specific focus on Instagram and X, even running in-game social media for UCLA men's basketball.
 
Prior to his work in Los Angeles, he was the primary contact for women's soccer and women's tennis, and secondary for football and men's basketball at San Diego State, a position held for over 18 months. Abbott grew the men's basketball Instagram account by over 24,000 followers while serving as the primary social media manager during the Aztecs' run to the 2023 NCAA National Championship game.
 
A graduate of the University of Oregon, Abbott also had stints at Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State, which came after working as a communications intern for the Ducks' football and baseball teams from April 2019 until August 2020.
 
27322 Reagan Bednar
University of Maryland
Assistant Director of Strategic Communications & Content Development

"I am extremely honored and humbled to be recognized on the College Sports Communicators 30 Under 30 list and to stand alongside so many talented professionals in our field. I began interning as a college athletics communicator for my small Division III college when I was 18 years old, and I could never have imagined the places this profession would take me. I am incredibly grateful for every opportunity it has provided. Thank you to everyone I've had the privilege of working with who has supported me along the way, especially those at Liberty, Tulane, Army, and Maryland. I truly owe so much to the people who have guided, challenged, and believed in me. I'm deeply humbled to be included on a list like this. Thank you!"
 

Reagan Bednar joined the staff at the University of Maryland in March 2025 as an Assistant Director of Strategic Communications and Content Development. She serves as the primary contact for the men's lacrosse and wrestling team, as well as supporting football in a secondary contact role. 

Bednar led all communications efforts in the Maryland men's lacrosse Big Ten and national championship game efforts, doing so right after stepping foot on campus. She also leads the creation of all key publications for football while overseeing the media credentialing process for all home and major events. 

Prior to her arrival at Maryland, Bednar served as an Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at Army West Point, holding the role from March 2024-March 2025. While there, she served as the primary liaison for women's basketball, gymnastics, men's rugby, men's lacrosse, and softball. Bednar was an Athletic Strategic Communications Graduate Assistant at Tulane University before making the move to Army, a role she held from July 2023-March 2024. At Tulane, Bednar served as the primary liaison for volleyball, men's tennis, and beach volleyball. She successfully covered the school's first-ever American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in women's volleyball for the 2023 season and the first All-Louisiana volleyball athlete in over 5 years.

A 2023 University of Lynchburg grad, she began her communications career as a student worker while pursuing a Bachelor's degree in communications. Bednar went on to receive her Master's degree from Tulane. She also has stops at Guilford College, Liberty University, with the New Orleans Pelicans, and Allstate Sugar Bowl.
 
27367 Tia Day
Bates College
Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotions

"It truly means so much to receive this award and to bring recognition to the Bates Athletics communications team. I wouldn't be in this position without my teammates, Chris and Aaron, whose unwavering support means the world to me—they've always encouraged me to lead in my own way, try new ideas, and make sure my voice is heard. I'm also incredibly thankful for the coaches, administrators, and student-athletes at Bates who have welcomed me and allowed me to be the best version of myself. As a former Division III student-athlete, continuing to work in this division is something I deeply value and never take for granted. A huge thank-you as well to my family for always being my greatest support system, and to CSC for their continued advocacy and recognition of athletic communicators. I love being part of the Division III landscape, and this honor gives me validation for the work I've done so far. It also inspires me to keep growing and continue leveling up in everything I do!"

Tia Day is the Bates Coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotions, where she oversees the Bates Athletics social media. Day is in her fourth season at Bates. 

Day is an active member of College Sports Communicators (CSC), serving on the Young Professionals Committee and its Social Media Subcommittee, and acting as a coordinator for the Creative & Digital Design Contest. In 2024, she was selected for the CSC Inclusion Fellowship, a year-long program focused on championing inclusive culture in college sports.

Her involvement in the industry also includes serving on the Women Leaders Awards Committee, the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women's Internship Grant Selection Committee, and representing Region 3 on the D3SIDA Board.

In 2024, Day was chosen as one of 30 participants in the inaugural Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program. In 2023, she was one of only six recipients nationwide to receive the NCAA Inclusion/CSC Convention Grant, and also attended the NESCAC Future Leaders Forum.

A 2022 graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington, Day earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics with a minor in Coaching. During her time at UMF, she was a member of the Beavers women's basketball team.

Day is also a Mainer and 2018 graduate of Monmouth Academy. 
 
27325 Matt Eaker
Washington and Lee University
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

"I'm deeply honored to be recognized among such an exceptional group of young professionals as part of the CSC 30 Under 30 Award. I feel incredibly fortunate to work with outstanding colleagues and student-athletes who make my role so rewarding and fulfilling. This profession is unique in that the people are really what make it great, from the students to those you cross paths working with. I want to express my gratitude to Clark Teuscher for introducing me to this profession and for being an incredible mentor during my time at North Central. I'd also like to thank Sydney Anderson and my colleagues at Washington and Lee for their constant support and encouragement."
 

Matt Eaker is in his third year as an assistant director of athletic communications at Washington and Lee University. He serves as the primary contact for football, volleyball, women's basketball, track and field, men's golf, and baseball. 

An engaged member of College Sports Communicators (CSC), Eaker holds the role of Vice Chair on the Career Services Committee and serves as a National Review Team Member for women's volleyball and the men's at-large division for the CSC Academic All-America program. He has also been a coordinator and judge for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 CSC Creative and Digital Design Contest.

Eaker's writing has received regional recognition in the 2024-25 CSC Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest, where he earned first place in District 3 in the "Event Coverage" category for his recap of W&L women's volleyball's regional championship win over Christopher Newport University, and second place in the "Season Recap/Preview" category for his football preview of Week 9 vs. Randolph-Macon.

Prior to his time at W&L, Eaker spent two years at North Central College as a graduate assistant in the Sports Information office. He served as the primary contact for five athletic programs and served as the host SID for the opening weekend of the 2022 men's soccer tournament, as well as the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Region IV Championships in 2023. He covered multiple national championship events for football, men's soccer, men's and women's wrestling and men's lacrosse, including on site coverage of the 2022 Stagg Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland and the 2024 NCWWC Women's Wrestling National Championship in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

At the national level, Eaker was part of the statistical operations team for the 2023 Stagg Bowl in Salem, Va., assisting with real-time data for the ESPNU broadcast. He contributed to coverage of W&L men's soccer Final Four in 2023, women's volleyball's Elite Eight in 2024, and men's golf's fourth place finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships in Rochester, N.Y. Eaker also assisted in the effort to host the first NCAA women's basketball tournament games at W&L during the 2023-24 season. 

Eaker played a key role in organizing and running the 2025 ODAC Men's Wrestling Championships at W&L and served as the host SID for the inaugural Cape Charles Bowl in 2023, a football bowl series between the ODAC and Landmark Conference. He serves as the primary statistician for the football, volleyball, baseball, and both men's and women's basketball programs.

Eaker earned both his B.A. in Sport Management and M.A. in Sports Leadership from North Central College.
 
27326 Zachery Ellis
Durham College
Sports Information & Marketing Coordinator

"I'm really grateful to be named to the College Sports Communicators 30 Under 30 Class of 2025. I'm fortunate to work with people who support me, challenge me, and make our projects better every day. I've always felt that the work we do is a collective effort. Thank you to CSC for this honor. I sincerely appreciate the acknowledgement and the continued support you provide to our profession and its members. I'm looking forward to continuing to grow in this field and to finding new ways to support the student-athletes and communities we serve."
 

Durham College's Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator Zachery Ellis has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, recognizing him as one of the nation's rising professionals in collegiate athletics communications.

As the Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator at Durham College, Zachery is responsible for telling the story of Lords Athletics. His work spans across social media, website updates, game days, and community involvement for Durham College.

Zachery began his work in college athletics as a student at Durham College where he graduated with an advanced diploma from their three-year Sports Management program after an internship in Media Relations with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After graduating from Durham College, Zachery went west to work with the Edmonton Oilers before returning to the Lords Athletics department, where he has been working since 2022.

Since his return to Durham, Zachery has assisted in hosting multiple conference championships and one national championship, The content that Zachery produced for the 2025 CCAA Women's Volleyball National Championship was the most viewed and engaged content of any national championship during the 2024-2025 season of play.
 
27327 Kristin Farris
Bemidji State University
Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

"Being named to CSC's 30 Under 30 is an incredible honor and a reflection of the mentors, colleagues and student-athletes who inspire me every day. This recognition motivates me to continue elevating our student-athletes' stories and serving our campus community. Bemidji State Athletics have given me a home to grow, learn and tell stories that matter. I'm honored to represent BSU and excited to continue uplifting our programs, university and conference."

 

Kristin Farris serves as the Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relation at Bemidji State University, a role she has served in for one year. With the Beavers, Farris oversees media relations efforts for Football, men's and women's basketball, cross country, track and field and other select sports.

While serving as a primary contact for the Beavers' sports programs, Farris also creates in-game content for social distribution to provide impactful digital content to promote her student-athletes. Additionally, Farris started the BSU Beavers TikTok account. Her commitment to highlighting her student-athletes has resulted in significant growth across all social platforms.

Prior to working at BSU, Farris served as the Director of Communications and Digital Media with the Sioux Falls Stampede, a USHL team, for two years. With the Stampede, she managed media relations, corporate promotions and in-game content creation for the junior hockey program. Farris also created several viral marketing campaigns, including Wiener Dog Night, which reached over 1M organic views.

She also worked with the Disney College Program and with the Beavers football team as the Director of Football Operations after graduating from BSU in May 2021. While pursuing her undergraduate degree in Mass Communication and Sport Management, Farris worked with the sports information office, mainly covering the Beaver tennis program, and with the Football program as a Team Operations Assistant, assisting the coaches with recruiting, scouting, social media management and organizing alumni and community events.

Additionally, she has a Master of Science in Sport Administration from Arkansas State.

Farris has been a member of the CSC Inclusion Fellowship, an Event Operations Volunteer at 2025 CSC Unite, along with serving as a volunteer with Special Olympics, the 2022 Women's Final Four and the 2019 Men's Ice Hockey Western Regional. Farris has also participated in DEI discussions and workshops with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos.
 
27328 Robyn Griffin
Indiana University Northwest
Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications

"I am deeply honored to be named one of CSC's 30 Under 30 Award recipients. Having been in the field professionally for just three years, I'm proud of the strides I've made in sports information in such a short time. Who would have thought that being rotated out and keeping stats on the volleyball bench would lead to an incredible opportunity to serve as an SID—let alone at my alma mater? I'm extremely grateful to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today—especially Anna Villanueva and Nathan Davis—and to all those who have supported me from the start. To my student-athletes, you are the reason I do what I do. I strive to make your four years the best experience possible. The relationships I've built—and will continue to build—mean the world to me, and I can't wait to keep highlighting your milestones and accomplishments. Here's to many more years!"
 

Indiana University Northwest Sports Information Director Robyn Griffin has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, recognizing her as one of the nation's rising professionals in collegiate athletics communications.

Griffin, a proud IU Northwest alum, was elevated to Sports Information Director after beginning her journey in athletics communications keeping stats while rotated out during a volleyball match as a student-athlete. Today, she oversees all communications, media relations, and digital storytelling for IU Northwest Athletics, managing coverage for multiple sports, coordinating statistical operations, and leading the department's digital and social media presence. In her role, Griffin has become known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication to highlighting RedHawk student-athletes' achievements.

Griffin's selection to the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 is a testament to her rapid rise in the profession and her commitment to serving student-athletes.
 
27329 Jamie Halloran
Great Midwest Athletic Conference
Director of Communications

"I'm honored to be part of the CSC 30 Under 30 class of 2025. This profession has given me so much, and I'm excited to keep learning and growing in this field. This recognition is a reflection of the amazing people I get to work with. I'm thankful for my colleagues and the administrators across the Great Midwest whose support and passion continue to elevate our student-athletes' experience."

 

Jaime Halloran, Director of Communications for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, recognizing her as one of the nation's rising leaders in collegiate athletics communications.

Halloran was elevated to Director of Communications after serving as the Assistant Director of Communications since August 2022. In her leadership role she oversees all communications initiatives for the conference and its 13 member institutions. She is responsible for managing the league's sports-information operations, including weekly statistical reports, press releases, annual publications, and digital content strategy. Halloran also continues to serve as the primary liaison for the Great Midwest Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and several other conference committees, helping amplify student-athlete voices and enhance the overall championship experience.

Known for her professionalism, creativity, and data-driven approach, Halloran has played an instrumental role in elevating the Great Midwest's digital presence and storytelling efforts across all platforms. Her dedication to innovation in sports information and her commitment to highlighting student-athlete achievements have made her a respected voice within the collegiate communications community.

A proud alumna of Walsh University, Halloran earned her Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications while competing as a member of the Cavalier women's basketball program from 2016–2020. She later earned her MBA in Marketing from Walsh, where she also served as a graduate assistant in sports information, gaining hands-on experience that laid the foundation for her career in collegiate athletics. On the court, Halloran brought her competitive spirit to the Walsh University Cavaliers women's basketball team as a guard. Over her career she steadily increased her role—playing in 12 games as a freshman (2016-17), 22 games (with 24 three-pointers) as a sophomore, and starting 26 of 31 games as a junior in 2018-19 while averaging 6.8 points per game and 2.6 rebounds. Notably, she opened the 2018-19 season with a career-best 19 points (including five three-pointers).

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Halloran brings a passion for teamwork, leadership, and advancing the role of communicators in shaping the student-athlete experience. Her selection to the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 underscores her outstanding contributions and continued impact within the field of athletic communications.
 
27330 Dan Hamilton
University of Houston
Director for Communications

"I'm so grateful to be among the talented 2025 30 Under 30 Class. This industry has so many amazing and skilled people and to be chosen out of all of them is an incredible honor. I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of countless people dedicating their time and energy to helping me grow as a professional and as a person. There's so many people who I'd like to thank, but specifically the Syracuse Athletic Communications office for giving me a chance in my last year of college, Lorie Garnett for helping me land my first full-time position, Andrew Pate and the Houston Athletics Communications office for giving me an incredible opportunity and every person who I've worked at USF and Houston for all of their support. I'd also like to thank CSC's Young Professionals Committee for all of their hard work with this program as well as my friends and family for their support and understanding of the demands of the field."

University of Houston Director for Communications Dan Hamilton has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 30 Under 30 Class of 2025.

The Tampa, Fla. native currently serves as the primary contact for the Cougars' baseball and women's volleyball program and secondary contact for Houston football. He previously spent time working with UH's softball and swimming and diving teams.

First arriving in Houston in September 2022 as assistant director of strategic communications, Hamilton was elevated to his current role in October 2023. An active CSC member, Hamilton is responsible for tracking award deadlines and nominations for the CSC awards program, ensuring the Cougars are represented on the national stage. Last summer, Hamilton was recognized for his softball game notes, which placed 15th in the nation among NCAA Division I members, and started participating in CSC's mentorship program this academic year.

At Houston, Hamilton has grown the volleyball team's Instagram account's following by nearly 100 percent and the Facebook page by over 600 percent since he began managing the accounts. After Cougars libero Kate Georgiades jumped over a table to win a rally in the 2022 NCAA tournament, he helped the team receive key placements on "SportsCenter" and NBCLX.

Outside of his responsibilities at UH, Hamilton volunteered for each of the 2023 and 2024 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship semifinals and national championships.

Prior to Houston, Hamilton worked at South Florida for three years and was a key component in developing the Bulls' social media strategy.

He has served as either the host communications director or on the media coordination committee for a total of five NCAA and conference championships.

Hamilton graduated from Syracuse University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management. During his time at 'Cuse, Hamilton worked as an intern in the Syracuse University Athletic Communication office, including during the 2019 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship first- and second-rounds, hosted by the Orange.
 
27331 Keelyn Harkey
University of Richmond
Assistant Director of Athletics Public Relations

"I'm incredibly honored to be included in the 30 Under 30 Class of 2025. Working in this industry has given me opportunities I never could've imagined, from covering NCAA championships across the country to sharing incredible stories within our athletic department. I've met so many dedicated people in the College Sports Communicators community who inspire me every day. I've been fortunate to learn from great mentors and friends who have shaped my development from Atoka and Norman, Oklahoma, to South Georgia and now Richmond, Virginia. The creativity and talent that young professionals are bringing to sports communications absolutely deserves recognition, and I'm proud to be part of that next wave of the industry. A huge thank you to my colleagues and coaches at the University of Richmond for their constant support, to the University of Oklahoma for sparking my love for college athletics, and to my family for always being in my corner. I'm proud of the work I've put in over the past few years and excited for what's ahead."
 

Assistant Director of Athletics Public Relations for the University of Richmond, Keelyn Harkey has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 30 Under 30 Class of 2025.
 
Harkey joined the Richmond Athletics Public Relations office in January of 2023 and serves as the primary contact for women's basketball, women's soccer and the men's and women's tennis programs. At Richmond, Harkey has directed publicity and coordinated national and local coverage during women's basketball's back-to-back Atlantic 10 regular-season championships and the team's most recent first NCAA Tournament win in school history.
 
Prior to joining the Spiders, Harkey served as an Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant at Valdosta State University, overseeing communications for volleyball, cross country, men's basketball and softball with secondary responsibilities for women's soccer, football, women's basketball and men's and women's tennis. He aided in communications for the Blazer Football team's NCAA DII National Championship runner-up season in 2021, the women's basketball Elite Eight appearance in 2022 and the 2022 NCAA South Region Championship for softball.  
 
Harkey is a 2021 graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his college athletics career with the Sooners, where he served as an athletic communications intern for a year, having communications roles with the men's and women's basketball teams, the 2021 National Championship softball team and the track and field teams.  
 
Harkey holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a minor in sports management from Oklahoma and received his Master of Arts in communications from Valdosta State in May 2023.
 
27332 Tim Heiduk
Point Loma Nazarene University
Associate Athletic Director for Communications

"It's truly humbling to receive this prestigious award and a tremendous honor to be recognized alongside the other awardees. It's a personal and professional privilege to work in collegiate athletics, and to share the stories and highlight the accomplishments of so many deserving student-athletes, coaches and teams. I'm incredibly blessed to work at Point Loma and feel so lucky to have been hired by Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton. While Ethan is sadly no longer with us, his legacy and impact live on, and he will never be forgotten. We continue to honor him as best we can in stewarding the athletic department that he built."

Tim Heiduk joined the Point Loma Athletics staff in July 2022, leading PLNU to the PacWest Sports Information Department of the Year award in each of the past two years (2023-24, 2024-25).

In 2023-24, he won two CSC Fred Stabley Jr. writing contests, placing first in the District 8 College Division categories of Best Season Preview and Best Event Coverage.

For the past two years, Heiduk has served as a mentor in the CSC Mentorship Program, a national and regional voter for the CSC Division II Women's Basketball Media Poll, and a regional voter for the NCBWA Baseball Poll. In June 2025, he spoke on a "Maximizing Your Budget" panel at the CSC Unite Conference before serving on the PacWest Strategic Positioning Committee beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

Heiduk oversees athletics communications for all 11 Point Loma programs while also managing the Point Loma athletics website and social media channels.

From 2020-22, Heiduk earned 12 awards across four different categories in the NAIA-SIDA Media & Publications Contest, including five in 2021-22. The year prior, he won first place for entries in "Feature Stories" and "Season Preview/Review." He has also received recognition in the "Game Recaps" and "Call of the Year" categories.
 
27333 Brett Jenkins
Redeemer University
Multimedia and Sports Information Coordinator

"I'm truly honored to be recognized as one of College Sports Communicators' 30 Under 30. It is a privilege to represent Redeemer University and our member conferences through this recognition. I'm very grateful for the continued support and opportunities that have shaped my journey in collegiate athletics."

Brett Jenkins' journey at Redeemer University began during his time as a student-athlete and has continued as the Multimedia and Sports Information Coordinator for the Royals. A former standout volleyball athlete, Jenkins now elevates the Royals' brand visibility through creative media production and digital engagement.

Jenkins has previously earned recognition from the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association, picking up the 2024-25 OCAA Design of the Year award among other honors for his design and photography work. Now, he is recognized by CSC as a member of the 30 Under 30 Class of 2025.

Jenkins' experience as a student-athlete at Redeemer sparked his passion for athletic communications. He was an outside hitter for the Royals, earning CCAA All-Canadian and other All-League honors throughout his career. He spent the 2023-24 year as an assistant coach for the team before converting to his Sports Information role in 2024.

The athletics communications role has allowed him to find new and invigorating ways to elevate the university that helped shape him, promoting the athletic department, its student-athletes and the university's mission as a whole.

Jenkins earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Redeemer in 2023 and also works as a freelance photographer and videographer in the Ontario area.
 
27335 Bryce Johnson
Guilford College
Director of Athletic Communications

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this recognition as a member of the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2025. I am grateful to so many individuals who have played a role in my growth, both professionally and personally. Specific thanks go to my graduate assistants who have been alongside me since my arrival at Guilford, my past supervisors and mentors, Riley Baker and Nick Williams, who showed me what it takes to be great, my family for their unwavering support through my early career, and most of all to the numerous student-athletes, coaches and colleagues who I have had the distinct pleasure to cover and grow alongside during my time as a professional. At the end of the day, I just strive to put my head down, work hard, go about things the right way and make their experience better one write-up, graphic and game at a time."

Bryce Johnson currently serves as the Director of Athletic Communications at Guilford College, but his impact in the world of athletic communications reaches far beyond the Quakers' fields and courts. He has joined the College Sports Communicators' 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 as an active member of CSC, also making stops at Black Hills State University, Roger Williams University and Franklin Pierce University. 

Success has followed where Johnson goes, earning an Honorable Mention New England Emmy, receiving CSC Creative and Digital Design top-10 recognition and garnering a spot in the inaugural class of the Division III Emerging Elites program.

Johnson is in his second year at Guilford, where he oversees all aspects of the school's athletic communications. He develops and implements strategy for social media, website and media relations while also serving as stat keeper and overseeing the implementation of game notes for multiple teams. 

He was the primary contact for the Quaker men's basketball team's 2025 ODAC Championship and promoted the team as it made a run to the 2024 Division III Semifinals, hosting the first two weekends of championship play. 

Johnson spent a year and a half at Black Hills State as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Video Content Services, where he coordinated game day content including videos and graphics. He produced two nationally-recognized videos for the Yellow Jackets and debuted the Jacket Chats podcast, leading to vast increases in social media metrics.

Beginning as a graduate assistant at Roger Williams, Johnson was eventually elevated to the position of Interim Director of Athletic Communications, a testament to his skill and work ethic. He served as the primary contact for 13 sports, overseeing the coverage of the Hawks' 23-program portfolio.

Johnson's athletic communications story began during his time at Franklin Pierce University, where he earned his degree in sports media. He worked within the communications department while at FPU, creating video content for its social media pages and serving as a play-by-play announcer on the Ravens Sports Network.

In addition to his time in collegiate athletics, Johnson has also spent time with the Cape Cod Baseball League's Orleans Firebirds, working as both a Production Coordinator and an Executive Producer.
 
27336 Valerie Johnson
Clemson University
Associate Director of Communications

"I am honored and grateful to be selected for the 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 award. I've been able to grow in this career in due part because of my incredible mentors Jeff Kallin and John Regenfuss, and because of the wonderful student-athletes, coaches and support staff that allow me to tell their stories. This profession is rewarding because of the people I get to learn from, including Ross [Taylor], Ben [Winterrowd], Brian [Hennessy] and Chandler [Simpson], who demonstrate teamwork, dedication and bring laughter to every situation. This recognition truly reflects the people I'm lucky enough to work alongside every day."

Valerie Johnson has served as the Associate Director of Communications at Clemson University since November 2021, where she is the primary Sports Information Director for volleyball and softball. In addition to her role with volleyball and softball, she also oversees football credentialing and manages the Strategic Communications and Publicity student program, consisting of more than 60 student workers.

With the Tigers, Johnson also assisted in hosting Clemson's first NCAA Division I Softball Regional, coordinating communication with visiting teams, media, radio crews and ACC Network personnel. 

Johnson has a deeply-rooted background in softball, previously serving as the softball Sports Information Director for both Oregon State University and the University of Kansas. In addition to softball, Johnson covered women's soccer at Oregon State, while also covering women's soccer and swimming & diving at Kansas. 

Johnson began her career at her alma mater, Central Michigan University, as an Athletic Marketing and Communications Intern. With the Chippewas, she served as the primary contact for field hockey and women's gymnastics, while also working in a secondary role alongside women's basketball, lacrosse and softball. At Central Michigan, she served as the Event Manager for the 2018 Mid-American Conference Gymnastics Championship. 

In addition to her current workload, she is also currently pursuing her Masters of Business Administration at Clemson. 
 
27337 Jared Kilgore
University of the Cumberlands
Assistant Sports Information Director

"First and foremost, I would like to thank God for leading me to the University of the Cumberlands, where I have had the privilege to learn and grow alongside some of the best professionals in the field. This recognition is a true testament to the outstanding individuals I work with each day, from our dedicated staff to our exceptional student-athletes, and I am deeply honored to receive this distinction."
 

Jared Kilgore serves as the Assistant Sports Information Director at the University of the Cumberlands, serving in a full-time capacity for his third year. He oversees media and game-day operations for football, men's basketball, track & field, cross-country, and esports. His responsibilities include photography, videography, social media management, feature writing, graphic design, and statistical reporting—each contributing to the visibility and professionalism of Patriot athletics.

During his tenure, the department has achieved notable success, including three NAIA national championships (2024 men's indoor track & field, 2024 men's outdoor track & field, and 2025 women's indoor track & field) and 18 Mid-South Conference titles across eight sports. In recognition of his work, Kilgore was named the 2025 Mid-South Conference Assistant Sports Information Director of the Year, becoming the first individual in program history to earn the award.

Kilgore began his career as a graduate assistant, working with cross-country, track & field, and bowling, before advancing to his current leadership role. His progression reflects a consistent commitment to excellence in athletic communications and a strong contribution to the success of Cumberlands Athletics—qualities that distinguish him as a deserving recipient of the CSC 30 Under 30 honor.
 
27338 Alex Kline
Cal Poly Pomona
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications

"I am proud to be recognized as a recipient of the CSC 30 Under 30 Award. Being part of a university and a community that value both excellence and growth has been a constant source of inspiration. I'm deeply grateful for the mentors who have guided me, the peers who have challenged me, and the opportunities to tell the stories that make college athletics so special. Among the many colleagues, friends, and family who have supported me throughout my professional journey, I'd especially like to thank Ben Rosehart at CUI for introducing me to the sports information field, Dr. Chelsea Herman for giving me my first role in this industry, Brian Swanson and Pamela Donnelly for their continued support and leadership at Cal Poly Pomona, and my wife, Ashley, for her unwavering love and encouragement. This recognition inspires me to keep learning, keep serving our student-athletes, and continue contributing to the legacy of Cal Poly Pomona Athletics. Thank you to the Young Professionals Committee at CSC for this incredible honor!"
 

Alex Kline, the Assistant Athletics Director for Communications at Cal Poly Pomona, has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 30 Under 30 Class of 2025, recognizing him as one of the nation's rising leaders in college athletics communications.

A graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, Kline returned to his alma mater on September 18th, 2023 as the Assistant Athletics Director for Communications. In his role, Kline oversees all aspects of sports information and communications for the Athletics Department's 11 programs. In December of 2024, Kline helped cover the Broncos run to the national championship, the first in program history and 15th overall as a department.

Prior to returning to Cal Poly Pomona, Kline worked at Cal State San Bernadino from 2022-23 and saw six of the Coyotes 10 programs make the NCAA postseason, highlighted by Final Four trips for both men's basketball and baseball. From 2020-2022, Kline was an assistant in Concordia University Irvine's sports information department and helped grow their social media by 25%, the largest growth of any school in the PacWest Conference at the time.

At the national level, Kline has served as the West Region coordinator for D2CCA Baseball All-America. He is also an active member of College Sports Communicators (CSC) and the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA). In April of 2025, Kline was named a CSC Designer of the Year Finalist for the College Division. He went on to finish 7th nationally in the contest and was the highest-ranked designer on the West Coast in the College Division.

A 2019 graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, Kline earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Marketing Management. He was also a catcher on the Broncos baseball team, and was a member of two CCAA Tournament championship teams (2015, 2019) while making two NCAA Division II College World Series appearances (2015, 2016). Kline also earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Concordia in May 2022.
 
27339 Devin Knight
College of Coastal Georgia
Director of Athletic Communications

"I am truly blessed and honored to receive this recognition. I would not be here without the people who have believed in me and taken chances on me and my teams of student workers who have put in countless amounts of time and energy to elevate every project we work on to a standard of excellence. Thank you to everyone who has walked alongside me in different capacities from my start as a student worker in 2014 to where I am today!"


 

Devin Knight's career spans sports information, digital media strategy, ministry leadership, athletic administration and coaching.
 
He was recently appointed as the Director of Athletic Communications at the College of Coastal Georgia. He comes to CCGA after serving as the Assistant Sports Information Director at SCAD Savannah. At SCAD Savannah, Knight oversaw the department's social media strategy, public relations, student-worker operations, and game-day communications. His role includes managing statistics, eligibility reporting, media relations, and event staffing, as well as directing department-wide storytelling and branding initiatives. 

Before joining SCAD, Knight spent five years at Savannah Christian Preparatory School, where he managed all athletic communications, launched a school-wide live-streaming system, oversaw a complete website and app transition, and grew social media engagement by more than 400 percent. 
 
 His background also includes coaching, public speaking, ministry leadership, and substitute teaching, reflecting his versatility across educational and nonprofit settings.
 
In 2024–25, Knight played a pivotal role in SCAD's most successful year of digital growth. He directed the full social media and digital coverage of the Bees' 2024 NAIA Women's Soccer National Championship run, producing elevated match-day storytelling and real-time coverage that expanded the department's regional and national reach. Under his leadership, SCAD Athletics achieved an average +295% increase in social media reach, doubled engagement per post, and strengthened the department's brand identity through a narrative-driven content strategy. 
 
Knight holds a bachelor's degree in church leadership and Bible/theology and a master's in organizational leadership from Johnson University. He also earned a master's in Sports management & athletic administration from Liberty University in 2025. 
 
27340 Nick Mathey
UC Santa Barbara
Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Digital Strategy

"It's an incredible honor to be recognized among so many talented peers in college athletics communications. I'm grateful for the mentors, colleagues, and student-athletes who make this work so rewarding every day."

Nick Mathey joined UC Santa Barbara Media Relations in April 2023. Since then, Mathey has been elevated from Assistant Director to Interim Associate Athletic Director. After a national search, Mathey was officially named Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Digital Strategy in July 2025. During his time, he has elevated the Gaucho brand and has been crucial to developing the student worker program for the athletic communications department.

Mathey comes to the Gauchos after serving as the Sports Information Director at Birmingham-Southern College. While there, Mathey was the primary contact for all 22 Panther sports teams. He also assumed the role of Media Director for the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Football Championships and Tournament Director for the Super Regional round of the 2022 NCAA Division III Baseball Championships. 

Before Birmingham-Southern, Mathey spent the previous two years as a Marketing and Communications Graduate Assistant at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. During his two-year stint, Mathey oversaw all the communication and marketing efforts for men's soccer, women's basketball, baseball, and the men's and women's tennis programs. 

Mathey earned his BS in Finance with a Sport Management minor from Aurora University in 2019 before receiving his MS in Kinesiology from Point Loma in 2021 with an emphasis in Sport Management. He was a four-year student-athlete at Aurora, competing in baseball and earning All-Conference and All-Region honors his senior season.
 
27341 Matthew Mixson
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Video Coordinator and Digital Specialist

"Honestly, I am shocked. It is a privilege to be nominated for this award, let alone win it. I feel as if my contributions to Northwest have been significant in promoting it and moving programs forward. I am very honored to receive this award. I am very blessed to be at Northwest, because without the success of and support from the college, the opportunities to create videos are more limited."
 

Matthew Mixson is currently the video coordinator and digital specialist for Northwest Mississippi Community College and is one of this year's recipients of College Sports Communicators' 30 Under 30 Award. Serving all areas of campus, Mixson invested his time into athletics as it reached heights they never reached before. His work highlights the athletics department as a whole, with an emphasis on Northwest football and the postseason success of all teams. Mixson helped to create Northwest's first sports documentary titled "The Perfect Rangers," following the success of the undefeated 2024 women's soccer National Champions.

Mixson, an Auburn, Alabama native, grew up cheering on Auburn University's athletics. He attended Southern University Community College from 2018 to 2020 and then completed his bachelor's degree in visual media at Auburn University in 2022. During his time at Auburn, he began his journey working in collegiate athletics for War Eagle Productions, an Emmy Award-winning live and post-production office within Auburn Athletics. Mixson also interned with Auburn University's technology transfer office, where he produced videos to promote innovations and inventions from Auburn professors' discoveries that would go to market. 
 
27342 Jon Opiela
Atlantic Coast Conference
Manager of Strategic Communications

"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized as part of the College Sports Communicators' 30 Under 30 Class of 2025. This recognition reflects the incredible mentors, colleagues, and student-athletes who have shaped my journey and continue to inspire my work every day. I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent the Atlantic Coast Conference and to be part of a community that values collaboration, storytelling, and the continued growth of our profession."

 

After working as the Assistant Director of Strategic Communications with the Atlantic Coast Conference since Nov. of 2023, Jon Opiela was promoted to the Manager of Strategic Communications in July of 2025.

In his expanded role, Opiela leads the ACC's communications strategy across multiple championship sports, elevating storytelling, media relations, and digital content for one of collegiate athletics' premier conferences. He currently works with baseball, football, men's & women's cross country, field hockey, and men's & women's track & field.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). 

Prior to joining the ACC, Opiela spent two years with New Mexico State University, where he worked extensively with football, men's basketball, baseball, and both men's and women's golf. 

Before his time in Las Cruces he worked in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at Oral Roberts and was the main media contact for women's soccer, baseball, and indoor track and field, also serving with both men's and women's basketball. In Tulsa, Opiela also worked with the Tulsa Drillers, the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Public Relations department.

Prior to joining ORU, Opiela worked with the Rome Braves, the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, where he served as a Media Relations Trainee. While with Rome, he helped prepare for the 2020 South Atlantic League All-Star Game. While in Rome, he also served as a Sports Information Graduate Assistant at Shorter University, an NCAA Division II university. He was the primary media contact for football and assisted with the rest of the Hawks' 19 sports.

Opiela holds a Master of Sports and Leisure Administration from Oral Roberts University and a Bachelor of Sport Management from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. 

A native of Joliet, Illinois, Opiela played baseball through his collegiate years and remains a lifelong fan of the Chicago White Sox. 
 
27343 Hailey Owens
Denison University
Assistant Director of Athletics Communications & Digital Media

"I'm deeply honored to be selected as part of the CSC 30 Under 30 class. I couldn't have done this without the mentors who have guided me, the colleagues who have challenged me to grow, and the student-athletes who make every day so rewarding. I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a profession I care deeply about and humbled to be recognized among such talented individuals shaping the future of college athletics communications."
 

Hailey Owens joined the Denison (Ohio) athletics staff as the assistant director of athletic communications and digital media in March of 2025 but has been making an impact in college athletics for several years at various Division III institutions. 

Owens leads content creation and management for all of the Denison Big Red social media accounts and plays a crucial role in managing the department's student workforce. She serves as a mentor and guide to other young creatives and plays a role in covering all 26 of Denison's varsity programs.

Owens came to Denison from Otterbein (Ohio) as the athletics communications and media specialist before being promoted to the associate director of athletic communications for multimedia. She has spent time working as a photographer and videographer for the Cleveland Browns Community Relations Department and Special Olympics Ohio.

"Hailey Owens is someone who I'm proud to call a coworker and friend," said Denison Director of Athletics Communications Ashleigh Jones. "From her creative acumen to her ability to get in the weeds of doing the 'traditional' athletics communicator duties, she has been an amazing asset to the Denison Athletics Communications team. 

"She embodies characteristics such as humility, confidence, and compassion, which are essential in this line of work. And through these characteristics, she's been an essential part to rebuilding our student workforce and training the next generation of creatives and athletics communicators."

Owens is a master of digital media, enhancing the brand of the Big Red since her arrival through dynamic storytelling on social media. She's helped amplify the release of 10 Academic All-Americans, eight NCAA team appearances and two team national championship teams (men's swimming & diving and men's tennis).

A Division III athlete herself, Owens received her bachelor's degree in sport management from Baldwin Wallace (Ohio) in 2021, where she was also a letterwinner in softball. She obtained her M.B.A. with a focus on sport management from Baldwin Wallace where she served as an athletic communications graduate assistant until 2023. 
 
27344 Mike Prang
Adrian College
Sports Information Director

"I'm truly honored to receive the CSC 30 Under 30 Award. This recognition reinforces my commitment to growing within the profession. Working with 53 athletic teams at Adrian College has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. The success of our teams and student-athletes, along with the relationships I've built with them, continues to motivate me every day. Thank you so much to those who nominated me for the award, and to those who have helped me grow into the SID that I am today. I'm excited to keep growing Adrian College Athletics and to continue sharing the stories and promoting the amazing teams and student-athletes who proudly call themselves Bulldogs."

Mike Prang is in his sixth year at Adrian College where he currently serves as the Sports Information Director. Prang previously held the title of Assistant Sports Information Director upon arriving in December of 2019 and was promoted to his current position in March of 2021.

Prang is responsible for providing media relations coverage to all 53 of the Bulldogs' programs across the varsity and club levels. He served as primary contact for Adrian when they hosted the 2020 and 2022 NCAA DIII Central Wrestling Regionals and the Cliff Keene Women's Wrestling National Championship. He has covered numerous national championship teams at the ACHA and NCAA levels and worked with numerous national runner-up and national semifinalist teams.

He also covered the 2021 baseball team's run to the DIII College World Series and covered the ACHA Men's Division 1 hockey team during its national championship run in 2021. Other National Tournament appearances that Mike has covered are the 2020 Men's Basketball team's first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament and the Bass Fishing team's trip to the National Championship. In December of 2021, he covered the Men's Rugby team during its run to the NCR DII National Championship, and in 2022-23 he covered the Cornhole team's appearance at the College National Championship on ESPN.

Other Adrian College championship teams Prang has worked with include the 2023 and 2024 Men's Wrestling MIAA Champions, the 2023 Women's Golf MIAA Champions, the 2023 and 2025 Baseball Regional Runner-Up, and the 2024 Baseball Super Regional Appearance.

A baseball student-athlete at Loras College, Prang received a bachelor's degree in sport management with a minor in media studies. During his time at Loras, Mike served as a student assistant in the Athletic Communications department. During the spring of 2019, he served as primary contact for the baseball team where he handled game day operations for all home and away games. Mike was best known on campus as the broadcaster for all men's and women's home basketball and baseball games. Prang served as the Social Media Coordinator for the Sport Business Club.
 
27345 Quentin Rodriguez
The Big West
Director of Communications

"I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized as one of CSC's 30 Under 30 recipients. This acknowledgment means so much in a field where much of our work happens behind the scenes, and I'm incredibly grateful to be seen among so many talented peers in our industry. Thank you to my amazing family and friends for their constant support, and to mentors like Shawn Medeiros and Jessica Lantz for believing in me and helping shape my path. I'm also deeply thankful for the opportunities I've had with Endicott, UCF, and The Big West, as each experience has played a special role in my growth. I would also like to thank every single student-athlete and coach I have encountered during my journey. Telling and amplifying the stories of student-athletes, coaches, and teams is at the heart of what we do, and this honor reflects their continued success. I'm excited to keep learning, growing, and sharing those stories that inspire us all."
 

Quentin Rodriguez enters his third season with The Big West, and was elevated to Director of Communications in July 2025 after joining the conference office in July 2023 as Assistant Director of Strategic Communications.

Rodriguez, also known as Q, serves as the primary communications liaison for the sports of beach volleyball, women's soccer, softball, men's & women's swimming & diving, and men's & women's water polo. He also serves as a secondary contact for men's & women's basketball. In his role, Rodriguez focuses on the creation and publication of social media content, awards reporting, championship coverage and feature stories for 11 Big West institutions and the public. 

Rodriguez came to the league after serving as the sports information graduate assistant at Endicott College in Beverly, Mass. At Endicott, Rodriguez was the primary communications contact for eight varsity sports. He also created content across various social media platforms to highlight Endicott's athletics department as well as providing additional support to the alumni relations and college social media accounts. 
 
Rodriguez also brings experience on the national championship stage after developing and executing a social media content plan for both the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Ice Hockey National Championships. While at Endicott, Rodriguez was chosen as one of two Division III recipients of the NCAA Inclusion CSC Convention Grant, an award created to advocate for diversity within the athletic communications profession.
 
Before his stay in New England, Rodriguez got a start in college athletics at the University of Central Florida (UCF). While a member of the Black and Gold, Rodriguez worked in the strategic communications office, providing publicity for the football, volleyball, and softball programs. He also worked as a student reporter for UCF Knight News, covering the football team through social and traditional media methods. 
 
The Kissimmee, Florida, native earned his bachelor's degree in social sciences (journalism studies), with a minor in sport business management from UCF in 2021 before graduating from Endicott with a master's degree in sports leadership during the spring of 2023.
 
27346 Will Rollison
Alfred State College
Director of Athletic Communications

"I am beyond grateful to be recognized for an award like this… This award lets me know I am on the right path…and it motivates me to keep learning and contributing to the industry."
 

Will Rollison returned to his alma mater, Alfred State College, in 2023 as Director of Athletic Communications, stepping into a role that felt more like a homecoming than a hire. A former four-year men's basketball student-athlete, Sport Management major, and senior-year Sports Information intern, he wasted no time elevating the department that helped shape his early career. In just three years, Rollison has overseen a comprehensive modernization of Alfred State's communications operation — leading written and digital content, enhancing statistical accuracy and record keeping, and reimagining live-streaming through the creation of the Pioneer Sport Network. His leadership has ushered in Media Days, improved year-end celebrations, expanded graphic promotion, and developed hands-on training that has strengthened the department's photography and video output.

Beyond communications, Rollison plays a substantial role in the broader athletics ecosystem. He manages gameday operations, teaches in the Sport Management program, serves on key campus committees, and contributes as an assistant men's basketball coach. His dedication earned him the 2024-25 William Havens Award, honoring the staff member who most significantly advances the athletic department's mission. He further invested in his professional growth by attending the 2025 Division III Institute for Administrative Advancement.

Rollison's path also includes impactful stops at Waldorf University and the University of the Cumberlands, where he built foundational experience across numerous varsity programs and digital platforms.
 
27347 Sara Ropski
Stevenson University
Director of Athletic Communications

"I'm incredibly honored to be named to the 2025 CSC 30 Under 30 class. The CSC community holds a special place in my heart, as sports communications is such a unique and passionate field filled with dedicated professionals. I'm forever grateful to be part of this community and to continue growing alongside so many talented young leaders who are shaping the future of our industry. A heartfelt thank you to every sports information professional I've had the privilege to work with — your guidance and support have played a huge role in my journey."
 

Sara Ropski joined the Stevenson Athletic Communications staff as an Assistant Athletics Communication Director on January 23, 2023. She was promoted to Associate Athletic Communications Director in July 2025 and most recently elevated to Director of Athletic Communications.

Ropski serves as the contact for men's and women's beach volleyball, field hockey, women's soccer, men's and women's ice hockey, and men's and women's lacrosse. She oversees all @gomustangsports social media channels and strategies, works as a liaison with the club sports teams for communications coverage, and oversees over 60 student-employees and 13 interns. Since at Stevenson, Ropski was apart of the Inaugural NCAA Division III Emerging Elite class in 2024, has worked to boost collaboration along with Stevenson's SGA's and student-athletes, created the Stevenson Athletic's Mustang Monthly, and plays a key part in the Campaign for Mustang Athletics efforts. In 2024, she was on military leave of absence as she was deployed on a year-long combat tour to Somalia, in the Horn of Africa.

Ropski arrived to Stevenson University after a year tenure at Lebanon Valley College as the Associate Director of Athletic Communications and an Assistant Women's Lacrosse Coach. At Lebanon Valley, she served as the primary contacts for men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's ice hockey, and men's and women's lacrosse. As a coach, Ropski served as a goalie coach for the Dutchmen. Prior to Lebanon Valley, she served full-time with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for two years, culminating as the state's Awards Noncommissioned Officer In-charge at the Pennsylvania Joint Force Headquarters. 

Ropski attended Neumann University and graduated in May 2020 with a bachelor's in communications and digital media. While at Neumann, she was a three-year member of the women's lacrosse team and worked in the sports information department. At Neumann, she primarily worked with the men's and women's soccer teams, field hockey, and men's and women's ice hockey. She received the East-COMM Bill Esposito Memorial Award and Neumann Athletics MVP for her time at Neumann and urge to continue in the profession of sports information. 
 
After her undergraduate career at Neumann she moved on to attend Liberty University while on active duty to receive her master's in strategic communications. 
 
Currently, Ropski is a Staff Sergeant/ E-6 and still serves in a drilling status within the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. She is slotted as a Signal Operations Noncommissioned Officer with the 28th Infantry Division.
 
27348 Bailey Turner
University of Iowa
Associate Director, Strategic Communications

"Being named to the 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 is an incredible honor. I'm deeply grateful to the coaches and student-athletes who make telling their stories so rewarding every day. This recognition is also a reflection of the guidance and support I've received from outstanding mentors throughout my career"

 

Bailey Turner is in his fourth year with the Iowa Strategic Communications office. He was promoted to associate director in Sept. 2024 after serving as an assistant director from 2022-24.

Turner was a student assistant at Iowa from 2017-20.  Following graduation, he was an assistant SID at North Texas in 2021-22 and an athletic communications assistant at Middle Tennessee State.

In his role with women's basketball, Turner manages media activities and publicity for the school's high-profile program. He works with student-athletes and staff on best practices for speaking with the media, coordinates interview requests, manages game credentials, and works closely with the program's @IowaWBB creative team.

In his time at Iowa, he has promoted four WNBA draft picks, a two-time National Player of the Year, consensus first-team All-America selection and Big Ten Player of the Year. The Hawkeyes have won a pair of Big Ten Championships, hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and made the national title game in consecutive seasons. Turner also played a pivotal role Iowa's 2024 Super 11 Award recognition from the Football Writers Association of America for the best performing college sports communicators departments in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.

Turner also served as the media coordinator for the Indiana Fever exhibition game against the Brazilian National Team and the 2025 John Deere Classic. 

In addition to women's basketball and secondary football duties, he has oversight on men's golf, women's soccer, and rowing.

The Boone, Iowa, native earned his bachelor's degree in sports and recreation management from the University of Iowa in 2020.
 
27351 Paige Ward
Southern Athletic Association (SAA)
Assistant Commissioner

"I'm deeply honored to be recognized as a 30 Under 30 honoree. To be counted among so many incredible names in athletic communications—and to see even more rising stars in the field—is truly humbling. I feel blessed to be part of this community, surrounded by mentors who have guided me, colleagues who inspire me, and the amazing student-athletes I've had the privilege to cover. Thank you to CSC for supporting our profession and advocating for athletic communicators everywhere."

 

Paige Ward is in her first year as Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Assistant Commissioner, where she maintains all aspects of the SAA website. Ward also communicates with all conference SIDs, and serves as the social media manager for all social platforms, and is responsible for elevating the SAA brand. 

On top of her duties to promote the conference, Ward also creates and distributes SAA championship material, coordinates all preseason polls and postseason awards, and is responsible for athlete of the week honors. Ward also serves as the conference SAAC liaison.

Prior to joining the SAA, Ward served as the Director of Sports Information and Promotions at Berry College, where she led all aspects of athletic communications, including livestreaming, social media strategy, website oversight, and coordination with the NCAA and the SAA. Her deep understanding of the conference's values and operations allows her to step into this role with insight and momentum.

Ward's career also includes time at Huntingdon College, where she served as Sports Information Director and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach. There, she managed communications for 21 NCAA sports and two club programs, while also acting as a liaison to both the NCAA and the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS).

A 2020 graduate of the University of Montevallo, Ward was a standout student-athlete and three-year member of the Falcons women's basketball team, where she served as a team captain, and was actively involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Ward is a member of College Sports Communicators and brings to the SAA a competitive spirit, a strategic mindset, and a passion for elevating the student-athlete experience. She was chosen to be a member of the inaugural NCAA Division III Emerging Elite program in 2024. 
 
27352 Cobe Wastler
United States Air Force Academy
Director of Digital Strategy

"It is an incredible honor to be selected for this award. There are so many amazing young professionals in this field, so to be selected for an award like this means the world to me."

 

Cobe Wastler is in his third year at the United States Air Force Academy, where he serves as the Director of Digital Strategy for Air Force Athletics. In his role, Wastler oversees the digital media efforts and operations for all 29 teams at the Air Force Academy.

His role with Air Force encompasses everything from photography to in-game coverage, from creation of content calendars to specific social media campaigns. He directly oversees and manages social content for all Air Force ticketed sports, including football, volleyball, hockey, men's and women's basketball, and wrestling.

When he's not capturing the moments of the Air Force athletic department, you can find Wastler building content calendars for ticketed sports, editing photos, or training interns to help capture even more moments at the Academy.

Prior to his role at USAFA, Wastler spent time at fellow Mountain West school, the University of Wyoming, for nearly six years. He began his time at Wyoming as a social media intern before earning a full-time position as the Social Media and Communications Assistant. He assisted in managing 15 social media accounts under the Wyoming Athletics banner, while also serving as the communications contact for Wyoming women's golf and wrestling.

Wastler earned his bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Wyoming in December of 2020.
 
27353 Meredith Wipper
University of Findlay
Director of Digital Strategy and Creative Content

"I'm truly humbled to be recognized among this elite group by CSC. In a behind-the-scenes role, recognition like this is rare, which makes it all the more meaningful. I'm grateful to the University of Findlay for giving me the chance to grow and tell the stories of our student-athletes."


 

Meredith Wipper is entering her fifth year at Findlay and currently serves as the Director of Digital Strategy and Creative Content.

Wipper works closely with the Assistant AD for External Affairs to develop and execute brand strategies supporting the marketing efforts of all 22 sports at the University of Findlay. She contributes to video production, graphic design, and event promotions, and oversees the production of departmental PSAs, student-athlete features, and printed materials. She also serves on the University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

In 2022-23, Wipper was named as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Sports Information Staff of the Year, an award voted on by the league's communications professionals and given for exemplary performance in the field. She won the award again in the 2024-25 season. In the summer of 2025, she, along with Assistant AD for External Affairs Kyle Niermann, won first place in the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Creative & Digital Design Contest in two categories including "Hype/Pre-Game Video" and "Signing Day Package".

Wipper earned her bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in sport and event management from the University of Findlay in 2020, she then obtained her master's degree in business administration from UF in 2022.
 
27357 Ben Zacher
Norwich University
Associate Director of Athletic Communications

"Being named to the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 is one of the most meaningful honors of my professional life. To be recognized in a field built on passion, purpose, and storytelling, especially by an organization that has shaped so much of my growth, is deeply humbling. I have been fortunate to work at a place like Norwich, where I have had the chance to lead, learn, and build something lasting with an incredible team. This award is also personal to me. I grew up around the game; my dad spent 15 years as the head women's basketball coach at Norwich and a lifetime in athletics before that. Watching him lead, inspire, and stay grounded taught me the values I try to bring to this profession every day. I am endlessly grateful to my family, my mentors, and the student-athletes who remind me daily why this work matters."
 

Ben Zacher is in the midst of his fourth season as the Associate Director of Athletic Communications at Norwich University in 2025-26. Zacher originally worked in the department as an undergraduate student before re-joining the department in August of 2022 as a Broadcast and Video Coordinator before quickly earning a promotion to his current position in the fall of 2022. 

At Norwich, Zacher leads the media coverage for 23 varsity sports. For the department, he has notably overseen the launch of the school's SIDEARM website and Digital Hall of Fame. In his role as Associate Director, he also oversees the department's work study and student media training. 

Zacher has been involved in the promotion of numerous awards won by Norwich's student-athletes, including the nomination and promotion of the department's CSC Academic All-America honoree Ann-Frederique Guay of the women's hockey team. Additionally, he has highlighted two GNAC Athlete of the Year winners for men's sports in back-to-back years. 

Away from the office, Zacher has been instrumental in the school's hosting of the 2024 and 2025 GNAC Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships, where he coordinated a full-scale event spanning campus facilities, course operations, and meet-day media coverage. Additional events Zacher has assisted with include the Ed Hockenbury Basketball Classic and Chris Munn 7s Rugby Tournament. 

Prior to his current role at Norwich, Zacher held freelance broadcasting and media roles at Howard Payne University, Goucher College, and the Vermont Mountaineers of the NECBL. With the Mountaineers, Zacher led the media operations for the 2019 NECBL All-Star Game and served as a social media coordinator and press box supervisor. 

As an undergraduate student, Zacher worked extensively with Norwich's Athletic Communications Office as a statistician, camera operator, and media assistant. He contributed to the 2018 NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship, managed athletic record book projects and also served as the women's basketball team manager for four seasons. 

Zacher is a 2020 graduate of Norwich University where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Communications and minors in English and Writing. Recently, he completed his Master of Science in Leadership in February of 2025, also from Norwich.