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CSCommunicators.com/CelebrateCSC

This feature is part of our series of profiles showcasing members throughout the CSC membership during the celebration of College Sports Communicators Membership Appreciation Week for 2022-23. See more features at CSCommunicators.com/CelebrateCSC.

Kennedy Shriver – Colorado State University Pueblo, Director of Creative Services

by Cole Helman – Palm Beach Atlantic University, Director of Athletic Communications // CSC Young Professionals Committee

Kennedy Shriver was named the first Director of Creative Services at NCAA DII institution Colorado State Pueblo in July of 2021, but her connection with the ThunderWolves started way before that. Shriver was born and raised in Pueblo and attended CSU Pueblo where she graduated in May of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. She was a member of the ThunderWolves volleyball team in 2017 and 2018, and, in a unique twist, she eventually stayed with the team on scholarship and took on the position of CSU Pueblo Volleyball’s personal videographer and social content producer.

Shriver had interest early on in digital and creative work. Prior to college, she started her own brand, ShriverFilms, shooting and editing weddings, engagements, proms and other special events. She later held the PBR Sport Performance Center marketing coordinator position as an undergraduate.

Now as the Director of Creative Services at her alma mater, Shriver assists with video production, social media content, marketing promotions, and fan engagement.

Shriver hosts an in-game promotion and celebrates with a CSU Pueblo football fan after he successfully complete a 30 yard field goal.

Shriver with CSU Pueblo Basketball Fan explaining an in-game promotion at halftime.

As the first Director of Creative services for CSU Pueblo, what is your vision or goal for the Thunderwolves brand?

KS: Being the first Director of Creative Services, there is definitely a lot of pressure but even more opportunity! Because I was an athlete myself, I know the ins-and-outs of the athletics program and had tons of ideas on how we can improve our ThunderWolves brand.

The first tackle was with social media. The department did an amazing job about posting game results, matchups, and awards received by their athletes. As an athlete myself, I viewed myself and my teammates as more than a statistic or a jersey number. I knew what our pregame rituals looked like, I knew the amazing volunteer work that the athletic teams put in, and I knew that ‘Joe had to wear the same socks on game day or he thought he was going to lose.’ I want the community to see those things too!

I want to make the student-athletes more of a face/personality everyone knows. I work on achieving this through short videos to show the community more about the athletes and what they do on a day-to-day basis they would normally never know about.

Shriver steps in front of the camera after a shoot with the CSU Pueblo Soccer team.

What is your favorite part about the job?

KS: There are so many great things about what I do, it is hard to pick one.

Something I really love about my job is getting to know the athletes. At Colorado State University Pueblo, we have an amazing group of student athletes that come from a ton of different backgrounds and stories. I enjoy spending time with them, getting to know their personality/background, and watching them succeed in the sport they put so much time and effort into.

There are not a ton of NCAA Division II institutions with a dedicated creative services/social media position. Do you foresee more athletic departments investing in similar roles for their universities?

KS: My position might be rare in a non-Division I school, but I only believe that is for now. Social and digital media has become such a dominant platform that universities and conferences must rely on it for messaging, advertising, marketing and sharing news.

Also, social media is a huge tool for recruiting. Athletes love the exposure and engagement and the love when they see themselves on a social media graphic or are featured in a video!

What advice can you give young and new athletic communications professionals as they pursue this career?

KS: Coming into the sports communication industry my biggest pieces of advice would be to never stop teaching yourself new things!

In social media particularly, everything is constantly changing! Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and learn about something you are not used to doing.

Kennedy directs the CSU Pueblo wrestling team during their preseason hype video shoot.

Some behind the scenes from a video shoot with CSU Pueblo Wrestling with Shriver.

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