This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) membership during the celebration of College Sports Communicators (CSC) Membership Appreciation Week for 2024-25.
In just his second year in Athletics Communications, Matthew Johnson has already found his passion in supporting student-athletes and teams to achieve their goals. For Matthew, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the athletes he covers succeed, feeling as though he is a part of their journey and sharing in their triumphs. Despite his relatively short time in the field, he’s quickly learned that adaptability is one of the most vital skills in sports communications—being ready to pivot and adjust when unexpected challenges arise. A former Division III athlete himself, Johnson is deeply committed to the importance of the Division III experience, where athletes can compete at a high level while receiving a top-tier education that shapes their futures. He understands that not every athlete will be in the spotlight, but every student-athlete’s contribution is critical to a team’s success, and he works tirelessly to ensure that every story is valued.
Here’s more about Matthew’s story and his career journey.
What’s been the most rewarding part of working in athletic communications, and how has your role evolved over time?
MJ: I am just in year two of working in Athletics Communications but the most rewarding part for me is seeing the athletes and teams you work for succeed. Covering them you feel like you are a part of their team, and you feel some of their success!
What skills or qualities do you think are most essential for success in sports communications, and how have you developed them over the years?
MJ: Being able to be adaptable and wear many hats is the most important thing that I have realized in just my short time. You never know what curveballs will be thrown to you in this area of work, but being able to adjust on the fly is super important.
Why do you believe Division III athletics is such an important part of the college sports landscape?
MJ: Being a former NAIA athlete and also Division-III, I’ve seen how important Division-III is. It is a balance between competing for your school at a high-level, but also receiving high quality academic-learning that will shape my future.
How do you make sure that every student-athlete’s story is told, even those who might not be in the spotlight?
MJ: Not every student-athlete is obviously in the spotlight, but making sure they know how important they are to a team is so vital to a strong culture. Their story ma?y not be told in the spotlight, but to those who cover and are around those teams know how important a culture is to success.
What are you most excited about in the future of college sports communications?
MJ: Personally, I am super excited to see how at the Division-III level how broadcasting will be upgraded in the future. We are getting easier access to equipment that will produce easier and better streams, and I am super pumped to see it reach this level!
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.
About College Sports Communicators
College Sports Communicators 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. CSC provides year-round leadership, community, professional development/education, recognition and advocacy for its 4,400 members. Founded in 1957 as the College Sports Information Directors of America, the organization rebranded in 2022 to position itself as a more inclusive organization for communicators in all types of roles and to lead an industry change where strategic and creative professionals are more aligned. CSC’s signature work includes the annual CSC Unite convention each June and the administration of the prestigious Academic All-America® program and Hall of Fame. Since 1952, more than 40,000 of the world’s most elite student-athletes have been recognized with Academic All-America status in all sports.