FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Emmanuel Athletics Communications

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – On Tuesday, June 28, Emmanuel College Senior Assistant Athletic Director Dan Campagna '07 spoke at the 2022 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) convention as part of a panel during the NCAA Division III Day titled, "Back to the Basics".

The panel was in the style of a Q&A discussion about the transformation of the industry from Sports Information to Athletic Communications and the importance of getting back to the basics of the field addressing things like communication, statistics, and press releases for those just entering the profession.

"Attending previous CoSIDA conventions was always a highlight of my summer so to have had the opportunity to be a part of this panel was an exciting and humbling experience," said Campagna. "Being able to reflect and share on the evolution of Sports Information really put into perspective how much we all do and the importance of the role of SID's within collegiate athletic departments."

The description for the panel on the CoSIDA Convention website reads: Sports Information Director's responsibilities are changing and much of the role's evolution can be attributed to new expectations around using technology. The old days of simply doing in-game statistics, post-game recaps and distributing information to the media are long gone, however, understanding the fundamental skills of Sports Information is critical as the industry continues to evolve into the broader descriptor of Athletic Communications. Join in as we sit down and discuss the transformation from Sports Information to Athletics Communications and the importance of getting back to the basics for those just entering the field.

"A lot has changed over my first 14 years in collegiate athletics, but I was very fortunate to work under and learn from two of the best SID's in the business in Alan Wickstrom (formerly of UMass Boston and now at Wheaton - MA) and Alexis Mastronardi (formerly of Emmanuel and now at Tufts)," said Campagna. "As both mentors and role models, they prepared me for the evolving landscape of Sports Information while instilling in me a student-centric approach that continues to shape how I navigate my day-to-day duties."

Joining Campagna on the panel were Regis College Sports Information Director Jason Behenna and Gordon College Sports Information Director Kendall Bukuras. Depauw University Assistant Director of Athletics Communications Ashleigh Jones served as the panel's moderator.

"My biggest piece of advice to anyone entering this profession is to really focus on the communication component in everything we do," said Campagna. "Get to know your fellow SID's and develop genuine relationships with them the same you would a co-worker at your own institution because at the end of the day, we're all a part of a network that should aim to help one another while supporting our student-athletes and institutions."

Campagna was able to attend this year's CoSIDA Convention through the financial support and assistance from a grant through the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).