College sports communications: Evolution of the field
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Abstract
Thousands of sport public relations professionals work in college athletics programs in athletics communications, media relations, or sports information. This chapter describes the history and status of this field, identifying key figures in its development and noting the establishment of a dedicated professional organization, now known as College Sports Communicators. Integrating both scholarly and industry research on the profession, the discussion continues with a focus on the responsibilities typically associated with college sports communications positions, including social and digital media. The benefits and challenges of such positions, such as the profession’s longstanding struggle to attain voice in leadership decision-making, are also discussed. The chapter also addresses how the college sports communications field is evolving in response to changes in communication technologies, the public relations profession, and college athletics. Particular attention is devoted to the evolution of integrated communications and the impact of name-image-likeness on the profession.