The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) has approved a new slate of executive board of directors to serve the professional athletic communications association of 3,100-plus members for the 2022-23 academic year and beyond. The membership approval took place during CoSIDA's annual business meeting, held virtually on June 17.
Jessica Poole, Chicago State's deputy athletic director/chief operating officer who is also currently serving as the university's interim athletic director, will serve as 2022-23 CoSIDA president. Poole becomes the 68th president of CoSIDA for a one-year term in 2022-23 after holding the first vice president office during this academic year.
Poole is the first Black female president in CoSIDA history and becomes the sixth female to lead the organization.
"I am honored and humbled to serve in the role as CoSIDA president. The idea of being the first Black woman to serve in this role is not lost on me, in fact, it's a driving and motivating factor each and every day. I am confident that while I may be the first, I will not be the last," Poole stated. "CoSIDA, much like the greater intercollegiate athletics enterprise, is in a time of great transition and I look forward to working with the entire Executive Board of Directors and staff as we navigate through these times.
CoSIDA is stronger than ever and has been at the forefront of change and transition time and time again.I truly believe that our organization is poised to continue to be a leader within college athletics, as evidenced by our new leadership and membership structures as well as the new branding exploration we are currently concluding. CoSIDA has and always will be on the cutting edge of what is needed to move the needle."
Poole succeeds 2021-22 CoSIDA President Cindy Potter, senior deputy director of athletics at Columbia College (Missouri). This marks the first time in CoSIDA history that the presidential gavel pass takes place between an outgoing and incoming female president.
"The elevation of the first Black woman to the CoSIDA presidency is a time to celebrate and also reflect on how far our organization has progressed in its history," said Erik Christianson, CoSIDA executive director. "I look forward to working with Jessica as she continues to blaze trails in athletics communications and college sports and also with our new board members, as together we focus on strengthening CoSIDA and its future."
Potter will transition to past president for the 2022-23 academic year as she completes her work on the board as an officer. She was the first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) member to serve in CoSIDA's highest membership leadership position.
In noting her new position as CoSIDA president, Poole shared additional thoughts and thanks.
"I'd like to thank President Zaldaynaka "Z" Scott and Chicago State University for allowing me to dedicate my time and resources in helping advance the mission and vision of CoSIDA, and I'd also like to thank my family, especially my son William," said Poole. "My family has long been sharing me with CoSIDA and college athletics and their unwavering support and understanding has been the driving force in allowing me to serve in this capacity.
We are entering a time of great change and I encourage each of us to view it as a wonderful opportunity. We have numerous opportunities ahead of us to advocate for each other, share our stories and those of our student-athletes and programs more than ever before. Change can be uncertain and difficult but it can also be beautiful and life-giving. It is my hope that we all choose to see the beauty that makes up this great organization that we all know and love and let it be our guiding force as we move forward."
Also elected to serve the 3,100-member CoSIDA organization for the 2022-23 term and in the presidential rotation are First Vice President John Paquette, Big East Conference senior associate commissioner, sports media relations, and Second Vice President Kevin Trainor, University of Arkansas senior associate athletic director/public relations.
Elected June 17th to serve as CoSIDA's Third Vice President is Mary Beth Challoner, University of Toronto manager, events, marketing and athletic communications at the University of Toronto. Challoner assumes the Third VP role after serving two years of a three-year term on the Executive Board. In three years, Challoner will become CoSIDA's first president from a Canadian institution.
Elected to serve a full three-year at-large position on the board was J.D. Campbell, Indiana University senior assistant athletic director for men's basketball communications and special projects.
Challoner's remaining one-year board term as a college division representative will be filled by Donnie Smith, Southeastern University assistant athletic director for communications.
Jeff Hodges (University of North Alabama senior associate athletic director for communications) continues as secretary of the organization and rounds out the officers. The other returning board member is Dan Ruede, University of New Haven associate director of athletics for strategic communications (term expires 2023).
Within CoSIDA's revamped governance structure, in its second year, the size of the executive board has been reduced in size as divisional cabinets and advisory councils have been added as part of this new leadership structure.
The slate of 2022-23 third vice president and board candidates were nominated by the membership during the spring semester and were selected by the CoSIDA Nominating Committee, comprised of the organization's past presidents and outgoing Board of Director members. That Committee was chaired by Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet University associate athletic director for communications who served as CoSIDA's past president during 2021-22.
Ex-Officio members are CoSIDA Executive Director Doug Vance, who is retiring at the end of July; new Executive Director Christianson; Associate Executive Director Will Roleson; Director of Professional Development & External Affairs Barb Kowal; Director of Membership Engagement Laurie Bollig; and Director of Creative Services Beau White.
Those rotating off the CoSIDA Executive Board include Past President Atkinson; Katie Mucci, Missouri Valley Conference assistant commissioner for new media and technology: Danielle Percival, Piedmont College director of athletic communications; Lenny Reich, University of Mount Union assistant athletic director/sports information director; and Michael Robles, California Community College Athletic Association director of sports information and communication.
