Erik Christianson, a nationally recognized and award-winning strategic communications leader, was named the third executive director of College Sports Communicators (CSC) in May 2022. He officially began his role in June 2022 following an 18-year plus career in senior leadership positions at the NCAA national office.
Christianson has significant experience leading integrated and collaborative communications efforts at local, state and national levels. A longtime advocate for and advisor to CSC, Christianson most recently served as the NCAA managing director of communications since November 2012.
With an extensive background in helping guide communication policy and outreach, Christianson oversaw NCAA public and media relations, content and engagement, issues and crisis management related to all the core functions of the national organization, including regulatory and legal affairs, academics, championships, inclusion and financial.
In his CSC position, Christianson provides strategic leadership, oversees many initiatives and manages the daily operations of the 4,100-plus member international organization. Established in 1957 as College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization completed a multi-year rebranding effort in 2022-23 during Christianson's first year as executive director. CSC is the premier membership association for all strategic, creative and digital professionals working in intercollegiate athletics across all levels for colleges, universities and conferences across the United States and Canada.
Christianson succeeded Doug Vance, who retired in July 2022. Vance assumed the head position in October 2013 as he followed the organization’s first executive director John Humenik. Humenik served from February 2008 through June 2013.
Christianson began his tenure at the NCAA as director of public and media relations, serving in that role from April 2004-November 2012 before his promotion to managing director.
In 2015, Christianson received the distinguished CSC Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award, presented to an individual who, or an organization which, has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, and has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and has been a loyal supporter of CSC and its mission.
Before coming to the NCAA, Christianson served as director of communications for the University of Wisconsin System, one of the nation’s largest public university systems. Before joining the UW System, he was employed in the main communications office at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Wisconsin system’s flagship campus. At both the campus and system levels, he worked regularly on athletics issues.
His experience also includes serving in state government and working as a journalist at the Tribune-Star (Terre Haute, Indiana) and the Chicago Tribune.
Christianson completed his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern College, now known as the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, where he studied communications and was a baseball student-athlete. He earned his master’s degree in public affairs reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
He and his wife, Rachel, live in Zionsville, Indiana, and have three sons, Sten, Gunnar and Anders.