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 2025-26.

T.J. finds the most rewarding part of working in athletic communications to be shining a light on hardworking student-athletes and coaches who represent their colleges with passion and pride. He values giving Division III athletes the recognition they deserve, celebrating their love for the game rather than scholarships or fame. Over time, he’s embraced new technology that connects families and fans through live stats and streaming, helping athletes feel more seen than ever. What drives him most is telling every athlete’s story, especially the underdog moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Ultimately, T.J. is excited about how technology and teamwork will continue to expand awareness and appreciation for college athletics.

1. What’s been the most rewarding part of working in athletic communications, and how has your role evolved over time? 

T.J. : My favorite part of working in athletic communications is having the opportunity to shine light on student-athletes and coaches who work so hard every day to represent their colleges. I think it's important that, especially here at the NCAA Division III level, we help our athletes feel seen and valued for the efforts that they put forth. These are students playing their sports simply for the love of the game. No NILs, No athletics scholarships, just pure passion. As for how my role has evolved over time, the main thing that has evolved is technology! This position used to be about making actual pamphlets or handouts for sports, programs, etc. When I started in this field, social media was still very new to most of us. We also used all different statistics programs to track our sports. Now we have a lot more consistency, are able to deliver live video of most of our sports, as well as live stats for most. It's really helped International and out-of-state athletes and their families stay connected.

2. What skills or qualities do you think are most essential for success in sports communications, and how have you developed them over the years? 

T.J. : I think the main thing is making a sincere effort to get to know the student-athletes and coaches. I make it a point to come to practices for the different sports so I can get a chance to see how the players interact, what their personalities are like, etc. I think the more you know about the teams, the better you can tell their story.

3. Why do you believe Division III athletics is such an important part of the college sports landscape? 

T.J. : Having been a non-scholarship athlete myself, I can identify with the passion for the sport. It can be easy to be an athlete first and a student second, and Division III stresses that academics come first. I have coached in NCAA Division I and also coached in Division III and there's a world of difference in the rules for how much time you can spend practicing, traveling, etc. In Division I, while we always focused on making sure students excelled in the classroom, the balance was just tilted a little bit more, and the pressure to win was a lot stronger. In Division III, while we all try to be the best team we can be, the focus is more on the experience and the teamwork.

4. How do you make sure that every student-athlete’s story is told, even those who might not be in the spotlight? 

T.J. : This is my favorite part of the process. I have always been a fan of the underdog. For instance, this year for volleyball, we had a difficult season. Toward the end, we were down to 6 players, one of whom had never played in the back row before. In a tri-match, she led the team in digs, registering the first 11 digs of her entire career. While we got swept in both matches, I was just watching the stats and was excited to tell the story that most people would not have noticed.

5. What are you most excited about in the future of college sports communications? - 

T.J. : I think as technology improves, I am excited about the opportunity for more awareness for our programs. One of our staff members (Coach Knight from Softball) handles so much with our social media stuff. It REALLY helps out a ton, as I am part-time in my role and really can't devote the kind of time I would like to that area.