2026 CSC U Summit

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2026 CSC U Summit

Dates: Wednesday and Thursday, April 8-9, 2026
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Cost: Free to all

Intended audience: Emerging athletic communications professionals, young professionals (in years 1-3), undergraduate and graduate students, interns and anyone curious about the field.


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The popular CSC U Summit is a free two-day event with two sessions on April 8 and two sessions on April 9. The first session each day will be from 3-4 PM (ET) and the second session will follow from 4:15-5:15 PM (ET).

The CSC U Summit takes place virtually on Zoom both days. There are separate registration links for each of these four FREE professional development sessions. 

We encourage attendees to come with questions and be ready to engage with communicators as they gain an inside look at the industry.  

This webinar is presented by the CSC U Committee, who is responsible for educating college students in the field of sports communications.

Click here to view on-demand videos from the 2025 CSC U Summit


Schedule of Events:

Session 1
Juggling game day: Time management for the modern college sports communicator

When everything feels urgent, how do you decide what actually comes first? This session will focus on practical time management strategies for sports communicators – planning ahead for busy competition days, communicating priorities with coaches and administrators, and preparing for weeks where multiple events demand your attention. We’ll also discuss how to ask for help when you need it, from leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT for a starting point on projects to tapping into colleagues, campus creatives, and the CSC freelance network for support. Walk away with strategies to stay organized, reduce stress, and get through your busiest days with confidence.

Panel: 
  • Sedric Granger (Moderator) – University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Assistant Sports Information Coordinator
  • Madeline Cummings – Sewanee, Director of Athletic Communications
  • Matt Haufe – Marquette University, Assistant Director of Communications
  • Clayton Messerle – Corban University, Director of Athletic Communications
  • Isaac Ray – Eastern Kentucky University, Director of Athletics Communications
Watch or listen on-demand:



 
 


 


Session 2
Communicators roundtable: The moments that make the job worth it

Join fellow sports communicators for an open roundtable conversation about the parts of the profession that make the long hours worthwhile. From memorable game-day moments to the relationships built with student-athletes and coaches, this session will allow participants to share stories, reflect on what keeps them passionate about the work, and connect with colleagues across the profession. Whether you're early in your career or a veteran, the goal is simple: celebrate the rewarding moments that remind us why we do what we do.

Panel: 
  • Sammi Wellman (Moderator) – Riverside City College, Director of Sports Information
  • Sophia Anderson – Oberlin College, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications
  • Jordyn Rochon – UMass Lowell, Director of Communications & Creative Content
  • Mike Williams – Illinois State, Associate Athletic Director for Communications
Watch or listen on-demand:
 


 

Session 3
Build your creative toolkit: Designing efficiently for athletic communications

Creative content is a major part of modern athletic communications – but it doesn’t have to take hours to produce. This session will explore how sports communicators can use tools like Canva and Adobe to build consistent branding while also saving time. Learn tips for creating reusable templates, maintaining a cohesive visual identity, and producing eye-catching graphics quickly for social media, game day, and recruiting. Whether you’re new to design or looking to streamline your workflow, this session will help you expand your creative toolkit.

Panel: 
  • Ashley Robbins (Moderator) – UMass Lowell, Associate Athletic Director for Communications & Creative Content
  • Maggie Balderstone – Bryn Mawr College, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
  • Patrick Murphy – Colorado School of Mines, Athletics Communications Coordinator
  • Peyton Thibault – Trinity University, Assistant AD for Multimedia 
Watch or listen on-demand:
 
 

Session 4
The bio files: Writing player bios & new hire releases that work

They may not be the most glamorous assignments, but student-athlete bios and coaching staff releases are essential pieces of athletic communications. This session will cover best practices for writing and maintaining bios, crafting effective new hire announcements, and understanding when and why these materials matter for media, recruiting, and historical records. Learn ways to make the process more efficient while still producing accurate, useful content that serves your department and your audience.

Panel: 
  • Ken DeBolt (Moderator) – Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Director of Athletic Communications
  • Larry Happel – Central College (retired), Athletics Senior Editor
  • Conor McCorry – Pepperdine, Director of Athletic Communications
  • Vinny Lavalsiti – UCLA, Associate Director of Athletic Communications

Watch or listen on-demand: