College Sports Information Directors of America

• CSC Pride Home Page

CSC Voices: Stories from the CSC Pride Community
June 25, 2025

Provided by CSC Pride / Amanda Phillips, Oberlin College & Pearllan Cipriano, Bard College

As Pride Month comes to a close, the CSC Pride group is celebrating CSC voices that share what it means to live authentically, lead with compassion, and create space for LGBTQIA+ student-athletes. In this feature, we are spotlighting three CSC voices: Brian Hauge, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at Lewis and Clark College, Hailey Owens, Denison University Assistant Director of Athletics Communications, and Marissa Smego, Sports Information Director at Albion College.

Through personal stories of coming out, quiet advocacy, and unwavering visibility, they reflect on the power of showing up — not just for themselves, but for the students and communities they serve.
 

Brian Hauge — Lewis & Clark College Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Brian Hauge was named the first full-time Lewis & Clark assistant director of athletic communications in the fall of 2022. Hauge returned to the field of Athletic Communications after working in the corporate world for over 20 years. Lewis and Clark is a NCAA Division III institution located in Portland, Oregon.
 
He started his career as an undergraduate working in the Montana State University Athletic Department as a sports information intern. Over the course of his three years working for the Bobcats, Hauge was charged with statistical inputting, assisting with interviews and working with on-air talent, building out historical archives and working on Hall of Fame materials. He continued to work games at Montana State after he finished taking classes at the school.
 

What are some of the biggest obstacles or challenges you have had to overcome in your career (as a student-athlete or as an SID and being part of the community)? How did you get through them and what did you learn along the way?
BH: I know I’m incredibly fortunate to work at a liberal institution in a progressive city, and I haven’t faced many obstacles as a result. That said, while earning my master’s degree online through a conservative Lutheran university, I often had to defend my identity in class discussions. Some classmates questioned why I was in the program or wanted to work in athletics. During my search for a capstone site, I faced two instances of discrimination based on my LGBTQIA+ identity, and both institutions ultimately refused to support my required hours. In those moments, I reminded myself that I couldn’t change others’ views and had to keep moving forward, trusting that something better would come along. That resilience stems in part from growing up in Montana and living a double life for many years.

Another challenge arose when my husband, Ryan, completed his software engineering training around the same time I finished my degree in athletic administration. We had agreed to stay in Portland, even if it made my job search harder, and it did. We both graduated in 2017, and at that time, finding a job in athletics felt even more challenging than it did post-pandemic. Still, I trusted that the right opportunity would come along, especially if it meant doing what was best for my family.

How has being part of the LGBTQIA+ community helped your student-athletes approach you who might be in the closet or not as open about their sexuality?
BH: Just by existing in this space, visibly, authentically, and unapologetically, I think it creates a kind of quiet permission. It signals that this is a place where identity isn’t just tolerated but welcomed and respected. I’ve found that talking about my husband Ryan without hesitation allows student-athletes to feel more at ease in talking with me about their relationships, sexuality and gender identity. On the flip side, seeing some of our student-athletes live as their authentic selves has helped me come to terms with my identity as a non-binary gay human. Visibility matters especially in athletics and an industry, like ours, where queer voices have historically been underrepresented, I strive to model what it means to be both professional and proudly part of this community. If that helps one student feel seen or supported, it’s absolutely worth it.

How has CSC Pride helped create a platform/voice for athletic communicators who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community? Do you think it's important? 
BH: For a long time, LGBTQIA+ voices in college athletics, especially in athletic communications, were largely invisible. When I reflect on the mentors who shaped my path, they were all white, straight, cisgender men. I wouldn’t be where I am without my middle school principal, Kevin McNellis, who first asked me to run the basketball scoreboard in seventh grade; the late Bruce Parker, who connected me with work study at Montana State; Bill Lamberty and Tom Schultz in the Bobcat SID office; and Seth Orensky, who took a chance on me as his assistant at Lewis & Clark. Each helped nurture my love for sports and college athletics, but none could truly understand what it’s like to navigate this profession as a gay person seeking to give voice to the LGBTQIA+ community.

CSC Pride has helped change that. It’s created a platform where we can be visible, vocal, and valued. It’s connected me with others who understand both the challenges and strength that come with being queer in sports media. CSC Pride has given us space to share our stories, support one another, and push for greater inclusivity across divisions and institutions.

Most importantly, it’s shown me I don’t have to separate my identity from my professionalism. I can be an out, nonbinary gay person and a leader in athletic communications, and that’s powerful.

Was it hard to come out, and/or how did you come out? Did you live in a rural area? school you went to etc.? (This is more personal, but if you want to speak on this, feel free, but no pressure) 
BH: Coming out was extremely difficult for me. I grew up in Montana, not rural by Montana standards, but still considered rural, and was bullied in high school for being gay, even though I wasn’t out yet and was still figuring things out. Comments from friends and family made me feel like it wouldn’t be safe to come out.

I started undergrad at Montana State in the late 1990s. As the state’s agriculture-focused university, it wasn’t exactly the most welcoming environment. In my fourth year, I started talking with a guy from out of state, which helped me gain confidence. Around that same time, a coworker came out to me the night before Thanksgiving, and I came out to him two nights later. (We both worked at the GAP, which felt very on-brand.)

From there, it was a slow process of coming out to friends and family. My older sister was the first family member I told. She was incredibly supportive, even though it was an emotional moment for both of us. When I finally built up the courage to come out to my mom, we agreed not to tell my dad out of fear of how he’d react. A month and a half later, she told him anyway, without warning me. It was a rough couple of years, but he eventually came around and gave a wonderful speech at our wedding.

That said, it’s still a work in progress. The current political climate has created new tensions. I also recently came out about my gender identity, and so far, only my younger sister has acknowledged it, with complete love and support. I’m still waiting to see how the rest of my family responds.
 

Marissa Smego — Albion College Sports Information Director
Marissa Smego celebrated her fifth year with the Britons in the 2024-25 season. She came to Albion, a NCAA Division III institution in Albion, Michigan, after spending two years as the director of athletic communications at MacMurray College.

For the third time in four years, Smego won the 2024 MIAA Robin Hartman Writing Award for her story featuring Harper Mathis and her bond with the men's lacrosse program. In 2022, Smego once again received Hartman Award for her piece on the nine football fifth year seniors and their incredible journey at Albion. Prior to that, Smego was named the Robin Hartman Writing Award winner following the 2020-21 school year for her feature piece on men's soccer goalkeeper Max Loria and his study abroad trip being cut short by the pandemic. 

She currently serves on the USBWA National Player of the Week committee. Additionally, Smego mentored Jenna Schienke, the 2024 MIAA Tom Renner Award winner, presented to the top student assistant in a sports information office. In December 2024, Smego was named to the inaugural NCAA DIII Athletic Communications Emerging Elite class.

How has being part of the LGBTQIA+ community helped your student-athletes approach you who might be in the closet or not as open about their sexuality? 
MS: I am someone who is authentically myself, and not just when it comes to my sexuality. I wear outfits with rhinestones and glitter, my hair is all different colors, and I have an energy that can be felt from a mile away. I think because of this, I am truly able to show our student-athletes to live their authentic lives — no matter what that looks like. Once our students see how confident and comfortable I am in my skin, they slowly get the courage to come to me about pretty much anything and everything. It’s not really until they get to my office they see the bisexual pride flag and all of the OneTeam items. I think it’s important for us in this profession to remember we have a much bigger impact on student athletes’ lives than we may think. We’re another support system for these kids who don’t control playing time. We have a unique role, as people they see and interact with everyday, but can simply just be advocates. It’s important we don’t overlook how much of a difference we can make in these kids’ lives — in all aspects. 

One of our athletes, also one of my four year student workers, has had a very tumultuous time with her family since coming out. She has come to me about anything and everything, excited to introduce me to her new partners, talking about her struggles, and discussing her sport change from basketball to lacrosse. This year, on her Senior Day, she asked me to walk her out, joined by her partner and head coach. By far that was the highlight of my career — I cried when she asked. Never in all the years would I ever imagine being asked to walk someone out on their Senior Day. And I think that is proof right there by just being ourselves and creating a welcoming and safe environment in our office and press boxes, we have the potential to make a difference bigger than just stats and stories.

What are some of the biggest obstacles or challenges you have had to overcome in your career (as a student-athlete or as an SID and being part of the community)? How did you get through them and what did you learn along the way?
MS: I think my biggest “struggles” with my sexuality are / were just the coming to terms with it and being so straight-presenting. I’ve never had this big coming out moment, I just had partners of all genders. I grew up Catholic and never really met any queer people until college. While I may never understand or experience the struggles others within the LGBTQIA+ community do, it’s important to remember the bisexual community is visible and valid. We aren’t people who “can’t decide.” Reminding people we exist and are loud and proud is so important. And you can be straight-presenting — or however presenting you want to be — your sexuality is completely valid!

How has CSC Pride helped create a platform/voice for athletic communicators who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community? Do you think it's important? 
MS: CSC Pride is incredibly important for a multitude of reasons. The group is sharing the tools to help others, and ourselves, be supportive of student-athletes. Pronoun education and allyship resources are just two of the many things this group does to help us help our athletes. I also love the community we’ve created with each other. No one has ever said “wow I’m too supported, I don’t need more love.” This group is a safe space for us to discuss certain things, while being ourselves and helping each other continue to be the dazzling humans we all are. 
 

Hailey Owens — Denison University Assistant Director of Athletics Communications & Digital Media
Hailey Owens joined Denison University Athletics staff as the assistant director of athletics communications and digital media in March of 2025.

Owens came to the Granville, Ohio NCAA Division III school after stops at two other D3 institutions - Otterbein University and Baldwin Wallace University. At Otterbein she served as the the athletics communications and media specialist before being promoted to associate director of athletic communications for multimedia. Before becoming a member of the Cardinal's athletics department Owens spent six years as a Yellow Jacket. While at Baldwin Wallace she was a two-year letterwinner in softball and earned her bachelor's degree in sport management in 2021.

Afterwards, Owens spent another two years (2021-23) in Berea as an athletic communications graduate assistant while earning her MBA with a focus on sport management. Owens has also spent time working as a freelance photographer/videographer for the Cleveland Browns Community Relations Department, along with Special Olympics Ohio.

What was it like being part of the LGBTQIA+ community as a student-athlete? Did you have any hardship etc.?
HO: Being part of the LGBTQIA+ community as a student-athlete definitely came with a mix of emotions. On one hand, I had incredible teammates and coaches who supported me, whether they realized my full identity at the time or not. On the other hand, there was always a bit of an internal struggle — the pressure to perform, to fit in, and to avoid drawing attention to anything that might set me apart. I wouldn’t say I faced overt discrimination, but there was a quiet, constant pressure to monitor how much of my true self I could safely share. The locker room, especially, can be a complicated space for LGBTQIA+ athletes — you want to fully belong, yet there’s always a fear that your identity might alter how others perceive you. But being part of Baldwin Wallace softball helped me gradually come out of my shell. Whether in the locker room, on the field, or during practice, it never mattered who I was or what I looked like — what brought us together was our shared love for the game.

How were you able to use your platform/career now to help student-athletes who are part of the community, embrace their identity and be an advocate for them?
HO: Now, working in athletics as an assistant SID, I recognize the responsibility and privilege that comes with visibility. I make it a point to be openly and unapologetically myself — because I know firsthand how powerful it can be to simply see someone in sports who is part of the community. I’ve also been intentional about advocating for inclusive language, representation in media coverage, and creating space for student-athletes to share their own stories if and when they’re ready. A big part of my work is simply being present — showing that you can thrive in athletics and be true to who you are.

What are some of the biggest obstacles or challenges you have had to overcome in your career (as a student-athlete or as an SID and being part of the community)? How did you get through them and what did you learn along the way?
HO: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as both a student-athlete and an assistant SID has been learning how to balance visibility with authenticity — especially as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in the world of sports. Early on, I often felt the need to compartmentalize parts of my identity to fit in or to avoid making others uncomfortable. That quiet self-editing can be exhausting, especially in spaces like team environments or shared offices where trust and camaraderie are so essential.

When I stepped into my role as an assistant SID, the challenge shifted. Suddenly, I was behind the scenes, responsible for highlighting others while still figuring out how to stand confidently in my own story. It was a role that required visibility, connection, and trust — and sometimes, I struggled with imposter syndrome or wondered if I truly belonged in that space.

What helped me get through these challenges was the support of a few key teammates, mentors, and colleagues who saw me for who I was and valued what I brought to the table. Their belief in me — not just as an athlete or coworker, but as a whole person — gave me the confidence to stop hiding parts of myself. Whether it was a teammate who checked in after a tough practice, a coach who made space for honest conversations, or a colleague who encouraged me to share my voice in a professional setting, those moments of validation built a sense of safety and belonging that I had been missing.

Their encouragement helped me stop questioning whether I deserved to be in the room, and instead start focusing on how I could make the space better for others who might come after me. I carry those lessons with me every day, and they continue to shape how I show up — as a teammate, a professional, and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.