Advice on Networking In the Sports Industry

October 28, 2015

in Networking,

College Sports Information Directors of America

SuperLeader #CSCUnite26 Convention - Reg Open

Advice on Networking In the Sports Industry

Social media strategist Jessica Smith, a presenter at CoSIDA conventions and on continuing education calls, posted this entry on networking on her socialnsport.com blog. She called on her network of colleagues to give their best advice on networking. One of the people Smith interviewed was CoSIDA third vice president Rob Knox, Coppin State Director of Sports Information. Smith currently serves as a social media manager at Under Armour and previously worked in the same capacity at IMG Live and the NCAA.

For CoSIDA members interested in growing their networks, join our CoSIDA mentorship program or attend one of the new CoSIDA After Hour events taking place around the country.

This is the first post of a career advice series focused on networking, resumes, interviewing and and getting job. More than 10 professionals in the sports industry and/or social media took the time to offer their advice. For this post, the focus is networking.

It’s now easier than ever to connect with people you admire in your industry. Social media networks like Twitter and LinkedIn provide opportunity to follow, learn from and talk with some bright and interesting people. And, you should absolutely take advantage of this digital world we live in to build relationships with people you admire in the space. Here’s what I’ve learned about networking so far:

It’s not about getting a job.
Networking is not about getting a job; it’s about building relationships. Don’t go into networking with the intention of getting anything out of it other than a relationship and the opportunity to learn. It’s from the actual relationships that doors will open.

You have to reach out the right way. The sports industry is full of wonderful people who are often willing to offer their advice and insight. And while many people will lend advice, there’s an art to asking and networking. If you want to reach out to someone for advice, make sure you build a bridge the right way. Read how you can do so here.

There are many ways to network.
I’m a bit of an introvert, so networking in a room full of strangers is a little intimating to me. Thankfully, there are many ways to network now. If you don’t like networking in the traditional sense, take advantage of the digital world. From Twitter chats to LinkedIn to the #smsports community, let social media bridge that gap for you.

Now it’s time for great advice from some of my #smsports friends below:

Social Media + Sports Network Advice from Jessica Smith

A big thanks to everyone who contributed their advice: Chris Dion, Mark Burns, Tod Meisner, Karen Freberg, Amie Kiehn, Samantha Hughey, Geoffrey Blosat, Eric Shainock, Neil Horowitz, Kari Culver, Michael Schottey, Natalie P. Mikolich, Tyler Pigg, Mat Smith, Rob Knox and Katie Prchlik. Stay tuned to the next post in the series!

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)
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)
06/10/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas