Sports Information Director and Head Cross Country Coach

Mount Mary University•Milwaukee, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sports Information Director & Head Cross Country Coach of Mount Mary University's NAIA programs is an integral member of the Athletic Department and requires an enthusiastic, pro-active, high-energy individual who is determined to see that the Athletics Department is successful. The primary roles of the Sports Information Director duties will consist of collaborating with the Director of Athletics / Athletics Senior Leadership Team to strengthen the Athletics Department in the areas of athletic communications, alumni engagement, stat-keeping, web and athletics social media management, promotional event supervision, and athletic game-day event management/operations/coordination. The primary function of the Head Cross Country Coach is to see that the program's roster goals are met and the student-athletes experience is positive. This individual must be committed to the NAIA values through "Character-driven Athletics" where MMU athletics staff embody and teach integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership on and off the field, in addition to the MMU Athletic Department pillars to "Recruit, Retain, and Develop". The Sports Information Director & Head Cross Country Coach works primarily with the athletics staff, coaches, student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, student workers, marketing, admissions staff, faculty and other administrative offices to ensure that each Mount Mary University student-athlete and prospective student-athlete receives a quality experience. This opportunity requires the availability to work a varied in-person schedule. Hours will be determined by mutual agreement with the Director of Athletics and work to best accommodate the needs of the Athletics Department. Pre/post season hours likely to be slightly more consistent than in-season hours. Work schedule can vary during peak sports seasons. The NAIA experience provides our student-athletes an integrated environment that focuses on academic success while offering competitive athletics and the support of meaningful non-athletics opportunities to enhance their overall educational experience.

Requirements

Serve as Primary SID for Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball and Softball
Additional coverage during a portion of Soccer may also be expected
Supplemental SID coverage for large scale tournaments hosted by MMU when applicable for non-primary sports
Supervise other staff/student workers assisting in SID coverage for non-primary sports
Manage MMU Athletics website design when applicable
Enter/Update all Athletics website content; including, but not limited to staff page, rosters, schedules, scores, player and staff bios, and box scores
Write articles for athletics website site including: player of the week (ALL sports), game previews (ALL sports), game recaps (primary sports listed above – home & away games)
Be present and available for all Mount Mary home sporting contests for primary sports listed above throughout all three seasons (fall, winter, spring)
Secure additional SID's when applicable for multi court/field events for ALL sports
Supervise home event set-up for ALL home contests
Hire, schedule, train, supervise and evaluate student interns/workers
Email 'Welcome Packet' to opponents for ALL home contests for ALL sports
Design Game Day Programs and maintain video board for ALL home contests for ALL sports
Create locker room signs for home contests for ALL home contests for ALL sports
Coordinate pictures, video, sports announcers, and postgame interviews during ALL home events
Write game day announcers intro and special event announcements when applicable
Take Live stats for primary sports' home games
Pre-set and manage live stream video for ALL home contests
Send final stats to visiting team SID, NAIA, and Conference affiliates when applicable for primary sports
Design and send monthly newsletters to MMU community and athletic alumni
Create a "Media List" and send all results, features, and media releases to the list, such as current student-athletes home town High School and local media outlets
Send out Word and Statcrew rosters to opponents that will be hosting MMU teams
Interview coaches and student-athletes to gather information for "feature" articles
Upload content and updates to all Athletics and Sport Team social media pages (Facebook, X, Instagram, etc)
Take team and individual athlete photos for purpose of posting to website and social media pages
Create senior and team posters when applicable
Create/Maintain "feature" pages for the website including, but not limited to: Awards/Hall of Fame, Archives/Records & Statistics, Multimedia, New athletic staffing announcements
Submit weekly and seasonal conference and national nominations for player/team accolades for CCAC and NAIA awards
Work with University Marketing Department regarding athletics-based projects
Assist with MMU Homecoming Week programming and planning
Occasionally travel to road games vs. opponents that do not do their own/sufficient statistics when approved by Director of Athletics
Other Athletics media/promotions/communications related duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics
Follow budget guidelines set forth by the Director of Athletics and reconcile credit card statements on a monthly basis
Coordinate fundraising efforts when needed
Assist as needed in department fundraising events
Perform other duties, responsibilities, or special projects as assigned by the Director of Athletics
Coordinate recruiting efforts to meet agreed upon benchmarks to ensure the Cross Country program is playing and practicing at or above the ideal number of student-athletes.
Provide monthly recruiting updates to the Director of Athletics and/or Associate/Assistant Director of Athletics along with the Admissions team
Attend all recruiting meetings with the Admissions Department.
Schedule recruiting visits and coordinate visits with Visitors Services
Review Slate and Teams lists consistently and update varsity coded list on a regular basis
Utilize Front Rush as main athletic recruiting database and communication resource
Manage annual Cross Country athletic scholarship budget and athletic scholarship offers (Letters of Intent)
Prepare and conduct all practice and competition plans
Targeting a 24-week training regimen along with meeting NAIA minimum competition requirements, but striving to max out competition schedule
Responsible for putting a practice and competition schedule together that meets NAIA requirements and minimizes the amount of class time missed for competitions
Prepare travel arrangements for team away competitions
Complete travel itinerary for each away competition
Drive MMU vehicle
Responsible for team management, academic monitoring, fundraising, community service events (minimum 1 per semester) and team building event planning (minimum 1 per semester)
Regular office time availability outside of Cross Country practice/game schedule for player check-in meetings
Create annual team rules/sport program expectations, approved by the Director of Athletics and signed by student-athletes
Promote and encourage a positive learning experience for student-athletes and a commitment to develop the whole person and nurturing bold, brilliant women
Focus on player and personal development, supporting a growth mindset
Manage and update programs apparel / equipment inventory list on an annual basis
Responsible for acquiring all issued apparel / equipment from Cross Country student-athletes and coaching staff after season has been completed
Follow budget guidelines set forth by the Director of Athletics and reconcile credit card statements on time, monthly
Coordinate fundraising efforts when needed (estimate 2 events per year for sport program)
Assist as needed in department fundraising events
Hire, train, supervise and evaluate assistant coaching staff, including a team manager if applicable
Attend staff, admissions, athletic conference, and/or institution meetings / events when required
Knowledge of, and adherence to, MMU Athletics Department Coaches and Student-Athlete Handbooks, NAIA and Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference rules / regulations regarding recruiting, eligibility, competition, compliance, etc.
Complete annual NAIA coaching course requirements & MMU employment training requirements
Manage coaching staff (assistants and volunteers) regarding course completion requirements
Perform other duties, responsibilities, or special projects as assigned by the Director of Athletics and/or Associate/Assistant Director of Athletics
Coaching experience – 2-5 years desired.
Collegiate-level Head Coaching experience, at the NAIA level, preferred
Experience within a collegiate athletic department ideal
Collegiate varsity or club playing experience preferred
Exceptional ability to multitask, prioritize projects, and extraordinary attention to detail
Solid graphic design experience with Adobe Creative Suite and Canva
Computer skills are required, along with the expectation to learn additional computer software programs for Athletics; such as PrestoSports, Front Rush, Slate, Jenzabar, Hudl, scouting / film breakdown software, and a variety of recruiting sites, video editing and social media platforms
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to work with diverse groups, facilitate group process, and foster collaborative decision making
Strong organizational, leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, problem solving skills, ability to work independently, and possess a high level of confidentiality
Ability to work independently and under minimal supervision and exceptional ability to multitask and prioritize project
Strong problem-solving skills
Bachelor's degree required
Applicant must pass background check and motor vehicle records authorization
The individual will become familiar with athletic department program's recruiting software and digital tools along with admissions software; i.e. Slate and Jenzabar
The individual will identify, evaluate, contact, and build relationships with prospective student-athletes. This will be accomplished through attending high school and Junior College competitions, attending showcase events and club / travel tournaments, reaching out to HS and Travel coaches, reviewing competition / skills footage, and other activities as determined by the Head Coach and/or Director of Athletics and/or Assistant Athletic Director
Candidate needs to feel confident talking on a phone and creating coherent, professional correspondences (emails, letters, text messages, etc.)
Strong communication and customer service skills

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred – in field of Sport Management/Administration desired

Responsibilities

Serve as Primary SID for Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball and Softball
Additional coverage during a portion of Soccer may also be expected
Supplemental SID coverage for large scale tournaments hosted by MMU when applicable for non-primary sports
Supervise other staff/student workers assisting in SID coverage for non-primary sports
Manage MMU Athletics website design when applicable
Enter/Update all Athletics website content; including, but not limited to staff page, rosters, schedules, scores, player and staff bios, and box scores
Write articles for athletics website site including: player of the week (ALL sports), game previews (ALL sports), game recaps (primary sports listed above – home & away games)
Be present and available for all Mount Mary home sporting contests for primary sports listed above throughout all three seasons (fall, winter, spring)
Secure additional SID's when applicable for multi court/field events for ALL sports
Supervise home event set-up for ALL home contests
Hire, schedule, train, supervise and evaluate student interns/workers
Email 'Welcome Packet' to opponents for ALL home contests for ALL sports
Design Game Day Programs and maintain video board for ALL home contests for ALL sports
Create locker room signs for home contests for ALL home contests for ALL sports
Coordinate pictures, video, sports announcers, and postgame interviews during ALL home events
Write game day announcers intro and special event announcements when applicable
Take Live stats for primary sports' home games
Pre-set and manage live stream video for ALL home contests
Send final stats to visiting team SID, NAIA, and Conference affiliates when applicable for primary sports
Design and send monthly newsletters to MMU community and athletic alumni
Create a "Media List" and send all results, features, and media releases to the list, such as current student-athletes home town High School and local media outlets
Send out Word and Statcrew rosters to opponents that will be hosting MMU teams
Interview coaches and student-athletes to gather information for "feature" articles
Upload content and updates to all Athletics and Sport Team social media pages (Facebook, X, Instagram, etc)
Take team and individual athlete photos for purpose of posting to website and social media pages
Create senior and team posters when applicable
Create/Maintain "feature" pages for the website including, but not limited to: Awards/Hall of Fame, Archives/Records & Statistics, Multimedia, New athletic staffing announcements
Submit weekly and seasonal conference and national nominations for player/team accolades for CCAC and NAIA awards
Work with University Marketing Department regarding athletics-based projects
Assist with MMU Homecoming Week programming and planning
Occasionally travel to road games vs. opponents that do not do their own/sufficient statistics when approved by Director of Athletics
Other Athletics media/promotions/communications related duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics
Follow budget guidelines set forth by the Director of Athletics and reconcile credit card statements on a monthly basis
Coordinate fundraising efforts when needed
Assist as needed in department fundraising events
Perform other duties, responsibilities, or special projects as assigned by the Director of Athletics
Coordinate recruiting efforts to meet agreed upon benchmarks to ensure the Cross Country program is playing and practicing at or above the ideal number of student-athletes.
Provide monthly recruiting updates to the Director of Athletics and/or Associate/Assistant Director of Athletics along with the Admissions team
Attend all recruiting meetings with the Admissions Department.
Schedule recruiting visits and coordinate visits with Visitors Services
Review Slate and Teams lists consistently and update varsity coded list on a regular basis
Utilize Front Rush as main athletic recruiting database and communication resource
Manage annual Cross Country athletic scholarship budget and athletic scholarship offers (Letters of Intent)
Prepare and conduct all practice and competition plans
Targeting a 24-week training regimen along with meeting NAIA minimum competition requirements, but striving to max out competition schedule
Responsible for putting a practice and competition schedule together that meets NAIA requirements and minimizes the amount of class time missed for competitions
Prepare travel arrangements for team away competitions
Complete travel itinerary for each away competition
Drive MMU vehicle
Responsible for team management, academic monitoring, fundraising, community service events (minimum 1 per semester) and team building event planning (minimum 1 per semester)
Regular office time availability outside of Cross Country practice/game schedule for player check-in meetings
Create annual team rules/sport program expectations, approved by the Director of Athletics and signed by student-athletes
Promote and encourage a positive learning experience for student-athletes and a commitment to develop the whole person and nurturing bold, brilliant women
Focus on player and personal development, supporting a growth mindset
Manage and update programs apparel / equipment inventory list on an annual basis
Responsible for acquiring all issued apparel / equipment from Cross Country student-athletes and coaching staff after season has been completed
Follow budget guidelines set forth by the Director of Athletics and reconcile credit card statements on time, monthly
Coordinate fundraising efforts when needed (estimate 2 events per year for sport program)
Assist as needed in department fundraising events
Hire, train, supervise and evaluate assistant coaching staff, including a team manager if applicable
Attend staff, admissions, athletic conference, and/or institution meetings / events when required
Knowledge of, and adherence to, MMU Athletics Department Coaches and Student-Athlete Handbooks, NAIA and Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference rules / regulations regarding recruiting, eligibility, competition, compliance, etc.
Complete annual NAIA coaching course requirements & MMU employment training requirements
Manage coaching staff (assistants and volunteers) regarding course completion requirements
Perform other duties, responsibilities, or special projects as assigned by the Director of Athletics and/or Associate/Assistant Director of Athletics