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 42,000 of the world’s most elite student-athletes have been recognized with Academic All-America status in all sports.
College Sports Communicators
Finding belonging | Jalen Brandy | CSC Voices, Why We Belong
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CSC Voices: Why We Belong is provided by the CSC Inclusion Committee
Host Dawnisha Franklin interviews Jalen Brandy, an athletic communications assistant at Buffalo State University, about belonging in college sports communications. Jalen defines belonging as feeling meant to be in an industry, discusses personal buy-in to the long, unorthodox sports schedule, and explains professionally adapting to different teams and keeping creativity alive. He shares challenges shifting from a public relations agency mindset and fan perspective to a broader, stakeholder-focused approach. Jalen describes how being a person of color in predominantly white spaces shaped his ability to navigate discomfort and make his voice respected, motivating his move from corporate PR to the college sports world. He highlights Buffalo State’s diverse culture, ways he signals representation through social media and writing, hopes to create a support group for athletes of color, values relationships with student-athletes, and advises listeners to trust their gut when making career changes.
00:00 Meet Jalen Brandy
00:44 What Belonging Means
01:59 Personal vs Professional Fit
04:45 Early Challenges Adjusting
08:15 Identity Shaping Career
11:43 Building Campus Engagement
13:35 Leading By Example
15:05 Visibility Through Culture
17:13 DEI Culture And Traditions
20:53 Support Group Vision
23:10 Proud Moments With Athletes
26:31 Trust Your Gut Advice
28:14 Closing Thanks And Wrap