College Sports Information Directors of America

2020 CoSIDA Compensation & Career Satisfaction Survey

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• • [#CoSIDA2020 Canceled due to COVID-19; CoSIDA Content and Resources]

Over a multi-part rollout of information and data, CoSIDA will share several overall themes from results gathered in the recently completed 2020 Compensation & Career Satisfaction Survey. An astounding 65 percent of CoSIDA membership completed the survey, which enables us to present valid data points and share critical information with our members to be used as they advocate for themselves and their departments in the coming months.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented and uncertain situations surrounding our mental and physical health as well as our economic livelihood. CoSIDA conducted this survey before the world changed in serious ways. This data remains important as CoSIDA continues to stress that quality communications professionals are essential now and in the future.

Our survey partner, Athlete Viewpoint, has been instrumental in helping the CoSIDA staff drill down into specific data points. Thanks to Athlete Viewpoint co-founders Mike and Jennifer Cross, along with CoSIDA Advocacy Committee members led by committee chair Shelly Poe for taking a deeper dive into the data to make it as valuable as possible as our members navigate their futures.

Click here to view the full data dashboard.

Skip to:

• Part 1 – Realizing the value of communications professionals (April 16)
• Part 2 – [Exploring career satisfaction and additional duties](#part2) (April 30)
• Part 3 – Examining athletic communications as a viable career option (May 14)
• Part 4 – A look at CoSIDA membership demographics (May 28)
• Part 5 – Release of the full compensation and career satisfaction survey results dashboard (June 5)

Part 1: Realizing the Value of Communications Pros: A first look at the 2020 CoSIDA Salary Survey Making a case for why SIDs are essential, and what we can do to frame our future. (April 16, 2020)

Our kickoff session was part of our Listening and Leading Webinar series presented by Capital One with the theme focused on the many essential skill sets of our members. Twenty‑five distinct skill sets were identified in the survey and members were asked to select the ones they use in their jobs on a daily basis. While the answers were definitely some more than others, it turns out our members play a role in a huge number of cross‑department functions. At no time are these skills more valuable to not only the athletic department but also the overall institution’s efforts to communicate and connect to stakeholders.

Athlete Viewpoint co-founders Mike and Jennifer Cross, along with Advocacy Committee members led by committee chair Shelly Poe for taking a deeper dive into the data to make it as valuable as possible as our members navigate their futures.

Part 2: Exploring Career Satisfaction and Additional Duties A look at how communications professionals are valued and how SIDs should think more strategically to position themselves for the future. (April 30, 2020)

In the second release of CoSIDA’s compensation and career satisfaction survey data, staff size, responsibilities and career considerations are explored. As illustrated in the infographic, overall career satisfaction is high with a nod to good benefits packages and workplace flexibility. The graphic also shows the growth of responsibilities for CoSIDA members as well as the stagnation of compensation and titles relative to the growth.

Shelly Poe (Auburn), Danny Barnts (Point Loma Nazarene), Steve Flegel (Whitworth), Kenisha Rhone (Belmont) and Kevin Trainor (Arkansas) of the CoSIDA Advocacy Committee discuss the results and offer strategies for members who are seeking to align their goals with that of the athletics director or commissioner, show value, build their skill sets and position themselves to help struggling athletic departments and their universities during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Part 3: Examining Athletics Communications As A Viable Career A look at the benefits most coveted by communications professionals in all industries and what makes the job as an athletics communicator a viable career option. (May 14, 2020)

In the third release of CoSIDA’s 2020 Compensation and Career Satisfaction Survey data, we take a deep dive into benefits and salary in addition to what makes the job of athletics communicator great and what could make it even better. As illustrated in the graphic, CoSIDA members are the beneficiaries of great extras like professional development, flexibility and free stuff — the most sought‑after benefits by communications professionals across industries. The graphic also includes what makes the job special and what could be done to make it a more viable career option for someone just getting into college athletics.

Paul Smith (Texas Woman’s University) interviews fellow CoSIDA Advocacy Committee member Akilah Laster (Tennessee) to find out what it was about the job that attracted her, what advice she would give to someone about the career, highlights from her journey so far and how she hopes to make a difference in the profession by helping improve diversity and cultural competence.

Part 4: A Look At CoSIDA Member Demographics Data collected in February 2020 from nearly 2,000 CoSIDA members represents 65% of the overall membership. (May 28, 2020)

In the fourth release of CoSIDA’s 2020 Compensation and Career Satisfaction Survey data, we look at the current demographic makeup of the association’s membership and explore strategies and tactics for maintaining a strong CoSIDA while expanding membership to include more people of color and females. In addition, the next generation of CoSIDA members is entering college or close to graduation. What are their expectations of the profession and how can CoSIDA meet those expectations in order to retain a competitive and creative workforce?

Sixty-five percent of CoSIDA’s 3,000+ members completed the 2020 compensation and career satisfaction survey. Looking at the demographics of that large a percentage gives us a fairly good representation of what CoSIDA looks like at this moment in time — 81 percent male, 91 percent white and 51 percent 35 years or older. What will CoSIDA look like in five, 10 or 15 years from today?

CoSIDA Director of Membership Engagement Laurie Bollig moderates a conversation with Kyle Chilton (BYU), Kiaira Cooper (Kansas) and Sammi Wellman (Cascade Collegiate Conference) about diversity and inclusion, the gender gap and learning to lead the next generation. Chilton is a member of CoSIDA's advocacy committee and diversity & inclussion committee. Cooper is a also a part of the diversity & inclusion committee, while Wellman is a member of the CoSIDA U committee.

Part 5: Full Results & Data Dashboard Now Available Thank you to the 65% of members who completed the 2020 CoSIDA Salary Survey. (June 5, 2020)

To the 65 percent of CoSIDA members who completed the 2020 salary survey, thank you. Thank you for providing honest answers about your compensation, benefits, staff composition and professional development perks that the association can share in data form with the entire membership. This data can help our members compare and contrast their situations with peers, make a case for increased compensation and/or resources and build staffs that reflect diversity in race, gender, experience and age. Thank you also for your patience as CoSIDA chose to release the data over the course of several months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Talking money and resources during this time was difficult and sometimes unnecessary. As you return to your offices, CoSIDA stands beside you with education, development and networking opportunities to keep you connected and help you navigate uncertain times.

Calendar

Important Dates

All Events +

• 06/23/26 / 11:59 P.M. M/W At-Large Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 06/30/26 / 11:59 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA)
• 07/07/26 / 12:00 P.M. W At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 07/08/26 / 12:00 P.M. M At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 07/14/26 / 12:00 P.M. M Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
• 06/07/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
• 06/08/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
• 06/09/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
• 06/09/26 11:59 P.M. Baseball Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 06/10/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
• 06/16/26 12:00 P.M. Softball Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
• 06/16/26 12:00 P.M. M/W At-Large Academic All-District Released; National Voting Begins (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 06/16/26 11:59 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Nomination Deadline (NCAA, NAIA)
• 06/23/26 12:00 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-District Released; National Voting Begins (NCAA, NAIA)
• 06/23/26 12:00 P.M. Baseball Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
• 06/23/26 11:59 P.M. M/W At-Large Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 06/30/26 11:59 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA)
• 07/07/26 12:00 P.M. W At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 07/08/26 12:00 P.M. M At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 07/14/26 12:00 P.M. M Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
• 06/07/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
• 06/08/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
• 06/09/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
• 06/09/26 11:59 P.M. Baseball Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
• 06/10/26 All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas

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