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2025 CSC U Summit
Dates: Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20-21, 2025
Location: Zoom
Cost: Free to all
Intended audience: Young professionals (in years 1-3), undergraduate and graduate students, interns, aspiring athletic communications professionals and those wanting to explore more about the profession
The popular CSC U Summit is a free two-day event for emerging athletic communications professionals, young professionals (in years 1-3), undergraduate and graduate students, interns, and those wanting to explore more about the profession.
There will be two sessions on May 20 and two sessions on May 21. This Summit takes place virtually on Zoom both days. The final session on networking/mentorship will take place in Zoom breakout rooms. Each breakout room will have 1-2 veteran athletic communicators who can answer questions from the attendees. We encourage attendees to bring your topics and your questions.
NOTE: There are separate registration links for each of these four FREE professional development sessions. The first three sessions require PREREGISTRATION; the fourth and final session (May 21, 3:30 pm on Networking) is a day-of Zoom registration - requiring no preregistration - as it will be a regular Zoom meeting with breakout rooms.
The summit is hosted by the CSC U Committee, which is responsible for educating college students in the field of sports communications. In addition, it assists educators in learning about the profession for potential speaking opportunities from the sports communications professional on campus. The CSC U motto is to "educate educators" and "find our future."
Click here to view on-demand video from the 2024 CSC U Summit.
CSC Summit schedule of events
Session 1:
The art of research (it never ends): Research leads to effective storytelling and getting your work noticed
How to find the best stories and notes to share on your communications platform and with media members, streaming broadcasters, etc. Learn more on pitching stories, finding important information for game notes, etc. and what the media need to create feature stories or handle your broadcasts.
Panelists
Brent Hager, USC Aiken Assistant Athletic Director/Athletic Communications/Founder, Sport Management Solutions
Ghizal Hasan, ESPN+ and radio play-by-play broadcaster (MBB, Baseball, Softball, M&W Soccer)
Leah Secondo, sports broadcaster and commentator for ESPN, ESPN+, CBS Sports Network, ACC Network, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and more
Moderator
Josh Lively, University of Tennessee Assistant Strategic Communications Director
On-demand recording:
Session 2:
Writing is NOT a lost art: How-tos and strategies when creating creative content
How do you write for your department in 2025 and beyond? Join leading CSC writers and creative members who offer how-to's, tips, advice and tools for writing effectively, asking the right interview questions, formulating your ideas, and making sure your social/digital/feature storytelling is spot on.
Panelists
Graham Hays, Vanderbilt University Athletics Writer
Dani Gariglio, Davidson College Assistant Athletics Director for Operations
Drew Wilson, Averett University Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications & Administration
Moderator
Grant Cohen, Tarleton State University Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
On-demand recording:
Session 3:
Making the Jump into the Profession to Thrive and Survive: Build alliances and communicate like a boss
What are the keys to success for today's athletics communicators? What are the hard skills and soft skills that will get your recognized and valued? The presenters talk about these keys and skills, and also about the art to proper professional communications - going beyond being buried in our screens.
We review expectations of appropriate workplace interactions and behaviors and discuss email and chat etiquette, how to effectively communicate in a timely matter with colleagues in your office, and those in the profession. When we encounter situations that are awkward or uncomfortable, we often freeze and don't know how to handle them; we also discuss these moments and offer guidance.
Panelists
Matthew Haufe, Elmhurst University Director of Athletic Communications
Bridgette Robles, University of Richmond Assistant Director of Athletics Public Relations
Jhordyn Stallworth, Mississippi State Communications Fellow
Peyton Thibault, Trinity University - Texas Assistant Athletic Director for Multimedia
Moderator
Ashleigh Jones, Denison University Director of Athletics Communications
On-demand recording:
Session 4:
Networking and Mentorship (breakout sessions)
There were four Zoom breakout sessions following a quick introductory meeting of all attendees and hosts, in addition to lively conversations and Q&A!
Panelists:
Sam Viebrock (CSC U Committee), Clayton State Assistant Athletics Director - Communications
Matt McIntosh (CSC U Committee), Shenandoah University Assistant Athletic Communications Director
Sammi Wellman (CSC U Committee), Riverside City College Director of Sports Information
Kristen Keller (Mentorship Committee), University of Southern California Associate Athletic Director, Sports Brands & Communications