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CSC Women to Watch Feature Archive
This is our next feature in our 2024-25 CSC Women to Watch series, a series which spotlights a variety of female members in our association. CSC Women is a subdivision of College Sports Communicators, dedicated to serving the women in the athletics communications and creative field. CSC Women aims to encourage, empower and educate, while providing a positive and united presence for women in our field, both veterans and newcomers, and serving as their collective voice.
CSC Women to Watch
Shirell Washington
Randolph College Assistant Sports Information Director
by Marlee Ressa, CSC Intern
Shirell Washington is this month's CSC Women to Watch feature in the CSC Women series where female members of our organization are spotlighted with a Q&A. In August of 2024, Washington was named to her first full-time role, selected as assistant sports information director for Randolph College, a NCAA Division III institution in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Washington graduated with a bachelor of science in sports and recreation management with a minor in communications from Virginia Wesleyan in 2023. While obtaining her undergraduate degree, Washington was a three-year member of the Virginia Wesleyan indoor and outdoor track and field teams. Additionally, Washington was an athletic department student-worker and served as an intern to the athletic director; she also was sports co-editor of the student newspaper.
After completing her bachelor degree, Washington went on to pursue a master of arts in sports journalism from Arizona State University. During her time in Phoenix, Washington worked as part of the ASU Stream Team production crew. Washington also held the position of visual journalist/photographer for Cronkite News in Arizona. Cronkite News has students from ASU working alongside full-time editors and professionals to produce news and sports content on TV, digital, and social media platforms.
During her time at ASU, Washington had the opportunity to photograph the Phoenix Mercury, Pac-12 Baseball Tournament, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, and the 2024 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Washington received a CSC Unite 25 Convention Grant, and as part of her obligations as a grant winner, she joined the CSC Content Team at the convention, helping to chronicle the event on social media and the CSC website.
Washington at the Phoenix Suns' 2024 WNBA summer league practice.
How did you get started as a college sports communicator? What drew you into the profession?
SW: It was my sophomore year in college when I decided to apply to be a student worker for the Virginia Wesleyan sports information department. From there, I realized I enjoyed this kind of work. The one thing that drew me the most is working behind-the-scenes of games or events---seeing something from start to finish and knowing I had helped produce it.
In what ways does your past as a track and field student-athlete at Virginia Wesleyan help you now in your current role at Randolph College?
SW: The most important thing is, being that I'm 24 years old, I can relate and understand student athletes since I'm close in age. As a former athlete, I can recognize the needs of athletes and what they want to see from a communications/administrative standpoint.
What is your favorite part about your job and why?
SW: Game day. I enjoy seeing all the fans, families, and students that come out and support the teams. I love doing all the set-up and breakdowns for the games; and though I am working, I get to also watch the game as well.
Washington at the 2024 NCAA Men's Final Four Fan Fest in Phoenix, Arizona.
During your time in Arizona pursuing your master's degree, you served as a photographer for Cronkite News. Do you have a favorite memory from your time there?
SW: I don't have a singular favorite memory, but I was glad to go places I never thought I would go. It was cool to be able to use some of the best photography equipment on the market to capture some awesome moments in sports.
What is the biggest challenge in your position at Randolph College?
SW: The biggest challenge in my position at Randolph is wearing multiple hats. I manage all-things social media and content creation, on top of my other duties. That's a wide workload for one person, so, being good at multi-tasking is a challenge.
Is there one thing you wish you had known before starting in this industry?
SW: Yes. One thing I wish I understood more about this industry is how unpredictable the workload truly is. I know that this job falls outside the typically 9-to-5 window but being in the profession now I understand the actual amount of work that goes into it.
L to R: Iman Abraham, Washington, and Anne-Marie Sasaki. Washington and Cronkite News reporters Abraham and Sasaki attended 2024 NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Do you have any advice for young professional females looking to start their careers in athletic communications?
SW: As a young professional woman in athletic communications currently, I'm still seeking mentoring and guidance. A couple things I've learned are the importance to speak up early and speak up often. Don't wait for permission to share your ideas or advocate for yourself. Another thing is knowing your worth. It's easy to undervalue yourself but your skills are specialized.
Also, learn to set boundaries without guilt. Burnout is no joke and affects us all, so learning to create systems that allow you to rest without compromising the quality of your work is crucial. Finally, stay curious and keep learning. Things are constantly evolving, so staying ahead is important to grow in this field of work.
Your most recent work took place at our CSC Unite 25 convention. What was your experience like as a #CSCUnite25 grant winner working with the content team?
SW: My experience was amazing that I would do it again a million times! I am grateful to have received the grant to come to Orlando. I got to meet so many incredible people in the field - both on the content team and also, so many other attendees. Everyone was wonderful and exciting to work with this year, and I look forward to coming back next year and the years after!
Washington pictured with other 2025 CSC Unite Content Team members. L to R: Marlee Ressa (IU Indianapolis), Alivia Dieterlen (CSC), Patrick Dieterlen, Cort Street (IU Indianapolis), Ethan Polak, Washington, Sofiia Briantseva, Beau White (CSC).
Rapid Fire with Shirell
What is your favorite, binge-worthy TV show? I have two currently - Bridgerton and A Discovery of Witches
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Italy
What is something most people don't know about you? I love jigsaw puzzles, word searches and crossword puzzles.
Do you have any superstitions when watching your favorite sports/sports teams? No superstitions - I just enjoy watching sports and being in that atmosphere.
Are you a physical paper planner, online calendar, or go-with-the-flow person? I am all three!
Washington at the 2023 NCAA Career in Sports Forum at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Washington with Randolph College and Bridgewater College colleagues from the ODAC in attendance at the ODAC Women in Athletics Symposium on April 6, 2025 at Sweet Briar College: ( L to R) Darius Jennings, Randolph College Assistant Women's Basketball Coach; Washington; Emily Bagby, Bridgewater College Head Field Hockey Coach: Meghan Halbrook, Randolph Director of the master's degree program in Coaching and Sport Leadership and Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Studies. Back: Tom Galbraith, Randolph College Director of Athletics; Delaney Nuckols, Bridgewater College Assistant Softball Coach; Kara Matthews, Randolph College Head Women's Volleyball Coach and Senior Women Administrator.
Washington taking photos at the 2025 CSC Unite convention in Orlando as part of the CSC Content Team.