College Sports Information Directors of America

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Steve Roe – University of Iowa, Associate Athletics Director/Athletic Communications

CSC Lifetime Achievement Award

by Barb Kowal – College Sports Communicators, Director of Professional Development and External Affairs

After 33-plus years of service at the University of Iowa, award-winning sports communicator Steve Roe announced his retirement — fittingly, on social media — this past April 8. The associate AD of athletic communications will mark his final day with the Hawkeyes in less than a month on July 3.

Roe was inducted into the CSC Hall of Fame last summer during the Las Vegas convention.

He joined the Iowa staff as an assistant SID in September of 1990 and assumed the department’s top position in 2011 after roles as assistant and associate sports information director.

The Steve Roe family following a home football game last fall.

Rowe is only the fourth director of athletics communications/sports information in the history of Iowa Athletics, following Eric Wilson (served 1923-68), George Wine (1968-93) and 2023 CSC Hall of Fame inductee Phil Haddy (1993-2010). He was the third representative from Iowa to be inducted into the CoSIDA/CSC Hall of Fame, following Wilson and Wine. Iowa will have four CSC Hall of Famers when Haddy is inducted during CSC UNITE23 next week.

In 2008, Roe earned a CoSIDA 25-Year Award, and over the years, earned numerous publication awards from CoSIDA, including multiple honors for the Iowa football and men’s basketball publications.

Prior to Iowa, Roe worked at Drake University as SID (1985-88) and at Northwestern State (La.) as head SID (1980-85).

Below, Roe reflected on his career and offered some advice to younger professionals in the Q&A.

Also below, read his feature story piece that ran last year when he was elected into the CSC Hall of Fame

Looking back, what are the first defining moments for you during your illustrious career?

SR: I would start at the beginning, in that I was fortunate that while attending a small college (Buena Vista), I was able to work with a mass communications professor who also served as public relations director and sports information director, and learning the basics of the profession. And then as a graduate assistant, also working under a great teacher in (the late) Bob Anderson at Louisiana Monroe. My wife Janet and I were married and moved from Iowa to Louisiana in the span of a few weeks. Bob and his family took us in and he taught me so much in two years there.

SR: As far as defining moments, there are just so many events, wins and losses, and great people along the way, that it would be hard to rate a few wins, or just a few experiences. I’m so fortunate there have been so many. I think it’s just taking some level of satisfaction in seeing others enjoy success, be it coaching victories and championships, or student-athletes who earn team and individual success. Seeing that success for others is gratifying and the feeling of being a part of a teams or programs success is rewarding.

I’ve always related a career in athletics to the “Man in the Arena” speech by Theodore Roosevelt, which ends, ‘… and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” I’ve been blessed to be in the arena.

What is your message to mid-career and young professionals as you leave the profession and your thoughts about an athletic communicators career path. How best to elevate yourself, your brand and be seen as a leader in college sports?

SR: College athletics and the field of sports information and communications has changed so much, but it’s the same in a number of ways. College athletics needs this part of the equation - good communicators who are good people, who can be the liaison between coaches, staff, student-athletes and the public, be it fans or members of the media.

There will always be value in treating people the right way and assisting others, which is a major portion of the duties for communication specialists. Some things never get old!

Certainly there are challenges. Where I think young professionals can succeed is being diversified. Be diversified so that you can be a valuable employee in as many areas as possible, as it relates to all parts of external relations within an athletics department. Be a team player in the process, always be willing to learn, and take advantage when you have the opportunities to observe and work with other successful people.

Gallery: (6-6-2023) Steve Roe, Lifetime Achievement

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