College Sports Information Directors of America

This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CoSIDA membership during the celebration of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week for 2018. See more features at CoSIDA.com/ThankYourSID.

Brian Kipley - Aurora University Director of Athletic Communications

by Steven Schauer - Concordia University Wisconsin, Director of Athletic Communications

With his wife Samantha, son Chad and son Max (l to r).

Have passion for what you are doing and be flexible. Understand what you are getting into and at the same time, make time for yourself ... Get involved and communicate with colleagues from other institutions on a regular basis, and speak up for yourself and the needs of your department internally. And relax; this is something that I didn't actually understand until the birth of my oldest six years ago.

- Brian Kipley

Brian Kipley is in his 15th year as the Director of Athletic Communications at Aurora University, which his alma mater. He bleeds Royal Blue and White, having graduated from Aurora in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in business administration as a Dunham Scholar recipient within the Dunham School of Business.

The Chicago, Illinois native was a baseball player and coach for Aurora, helping his squad win numerous conference championships and qualify for one NCAA Regional Championship. Kipley has guided his department from the ground up and has seen numerous changes, including the addition of 13 sports and the increased demand of live coverage for each home game.

How did you find out about the athletic communications profession and what got you interested in pursuing it as a career?

I was a student-worker at Aurora in the sports information department for my final three years of undergrad and was the first AU spotter for football and basketball using StatCrew software. Sports has always been a passion of mine, specifically baseball growing up, so when the opportunity opened for me six months after I graduated to return to my alma mater to become the SID and an assistant baseball coach, I took that chance.

Being an alum of Aurora, what is your passion for the University and the athletic department?

The University has given me so much, first as a student-athlete and now as an employee. I was able to be part of a highly successful baseball program as a student-athlete and I want the current Spartan student-athletes to be able to experience the same joy and satisfaction of wearing the AU uniform that I had. I met my wife Samantha here and my closest friends have AU ties. Because I am so passionate about AU, I don't think I could do the job as a one-man shop with 24 sports anywhere else.

The Aurora athletic department has grown tremendously since you became the Director of Athletic Communications in 2003 - growing from 11 sports to the present 24 programs. What are the main challenges you face being a one-man office?

As the AU athletic department has grown, probably the biggest challenge has been the ability to be in multiple locations at one time, which is not possible! I've come to rely on my student staff, which has grown as the sports offerings have grown - and they truly never disappoint. Another challenge is the dreaded crossover season in the fall/winter and winter/spring. With the additions of sports who start sooner or play through during the crossover season, that has been tough. Finding time away from mid-August to mid-May beyond a day here or there is difficult.

Kipley on press row at Aurora University.

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Calendar

Important Dates

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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