Sports Information Specialist – Athletics Communications & Digital Media

Position Title: Sports Information Specialist
Department: Athletics
Reports To: Athletic Director and/or Sports Information Director

Position Summary

The Sports Information Specialist is responsible for the promotion, communication, and digital coverage of assigned Thomas University athletic programs. This position will oversee sports information responsibilities for designated teams, including game-day statistics, website updates, awards and honors submissions, social media content, media relations, and athletic communications.

The Sports Information Specialist will work closely with coaches, student-athletes, the Athletic Director, Sports Information Director, and other athletic department staff to ensure assigned sports receive timely, accurate, and consistent coverage across the Thomas University Athletics website, social media platforms, conference and national organizations, and other media outlets.

This position may also assist with game operations, livestreaming, statistics, and other sports information responsibilities for athletic events outside of their assigned sports as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Athletic Communications

• Serve as the primary sports information contact for assigned Thomas University athletic programs.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with coaches, student-athletes, media outlets, conference personnel, and other athletic department staff.
• Write and publish game previews, recaps, feature stories, press releases, and other athletic communications for assigned sports.
• Promote student-athletes, coaches, teams, and athletic accomplishments through creative storytelling and media coverage.
• Provide timely information and updates to local, regional, conference, and national media outlets.
• Coordinate interviews and media requests involving coaches and student-athletes when necessary.
• Maintain accurate team statistics, records, schedules, rosters, and historical information.

Website Management

• Maintain and regularly update the Thomas University Athletics website for assigned sports.
• Ensure team schedules, rosters, coaching staff information, statistics, results, news stories, and other relevant information are accurate and current.
• Post game previews, recaps, feature stories, announcements, awards, and other news in a timely manner.
• Update team pages throughout the year to ensure that student-athlete and program information remains current.
• Work with coaches to obtain accurate rosters, bios, schedules, and other information needed for the athletics website.
• Assist with maintaining a professional, consistent, and engaging digital presence for Thomas University Athletics.

Awards, Honors, and Nominations

• Track student-athlete and team accomplishments throughout the season.
• Prepare and submit nominations for conference, regional, and national awards and honors.
• Work with coaches to identify deserving student-athletes for weekly, monthly, postseason, academic, and other awards.
• Ensure all required statistics, biographies, supporting materials, and deadlines are completed accurately and submitted on time.
• Publicize all student-athlete, coach, and team awards and recognitions through the athletics website and social media platforms.
• Maintain records of awards, honors, and major accomplishments for assigned sports.

Social Media and Digital Content

• Manage and update social media content for assigned sports in coordination with the Athletic Department’s overall communications and branding strategy.
• Provide timely game-day updates, scores, results, highlights, awards, milestones, and other relevant content.
• Create and coordinate content that promotes student-athletes, coaches, recruiting successes, team accomplishments, and upcoming events.
• Work with photographers, videographers, student workers, and other staff to develop engaging visual and digital content.
• Ensure assigned sports maintain an active, professional, and consistent presence across designated social media platforms.
• Coordinate with the Sports Information Director and Athletic Department staff to ensure messaging and branding remain consistent across all platforms.

Game Day Operations

• Coordinate and manage sports information responsibilities for home athletic events involving assigned sports.
• Operate or oversee live statistics, scoreboards, timing systems, and other game-day technology as assigned.
• Ensure accurate and timely statistical reporting during and following athletic competitions.
• Prepare and distribute post-game statistics, box scores, and reports to coaches, conference offices, national organizations, and media outlets.
• Assist with the setup and operation of livestream broadcasts, including cameras, graphics, audio, and other production needs when assigned.
• Coordinate student workers, statisticians, camera operators, and other game-day personnel as needed.
• Communicate with visiting sports information personnel, officials, coaches, and athletic department staff to ensure smooth game-day operations.

Media and Broadcasting

• Assist with livestream production and broadcasting for home athletic events.
• Coordinate photography, video highlights, interviews, and other digital content for assigned sports.
• Assist with graphics, score updates, and other content used during livestream broadcasts.
• Ensure that conference and NAIA broadcasting and statistical reporting requirements are met.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain knowledge of conference and NAIA sports information, statistics, reporting, and awards requirements.
• Meet all deadlines established by Thomas University, the conference, and the NAIA.
• Assist with championship events, postseason competitions, special events, and other athletic department functions.
• Train and supervise student workers and graduate assistants assigned to sports information responsibilities.
• Maintain organized records, statistics, photos, awards, historical information, and digital files for assigned sports.
• Assist with other sports information and athletic department duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Communications, Journalism, Broadcasting, Marketing, Digital Media, or a related field required.
• One to three years of experience in athletic communications, sports information, sports media, digital marketing, social media management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience working in collegiate athletics is strongly preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple sports, projects, deadlines, and responsibilities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of athletic statistics and sports information operations.
• Experience with website content management systems and social media platforms.
• Ability to create engaging written and digital content.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with coaches, athletic department staff, student workers, and university personnel.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and occasional travel as required by athletic schedules.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with StatCrew, Genius Sports, PrestoSports, Hudl, or similar athletic software systems.
• Experience managing athletic websites and team pages.
• Experience with social media management and digital content creation.
• Experience with graphic design, photography, and video production.
• Knowledge of livestreaming and athletic broadcasting operations.
• Experience submitting conference and national award nominations.
• Ability to supervise and train student workers and graduate assistants.
• Strong understanding of collegiate athletics, conference operations, and NAIA reporting requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and move broadcasting, photography, and event equipment as needed.
• Ability to stand and work extended athletic events indoors and outdoors.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment during athletic competitions and events.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience and based on the Thomas University and Athletics Department salary scale.

Application Procedure

The screening of applicants will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled. Please complete the application at https://apply.appone.com/job/6a84b9bb031df0d4bca0681c.

Please also submit, via email, a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to:

Jessica Sanders
Athletic Director
Thomas University
jsanders@thomasu.edu