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CSC Women to Watch

Lauren Bryne-Dunn

Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Associate Commissioner

by Colby Shannon, CSC Intern

College Sports Communicators’ woman to watch for the month of October is Lauren Bryne-Dunn! Bryne-Dunn serves as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Associate Commissioner and has been in this role since July 2024. She is in her 6th year with the MIAA, and in her tenure has taken over the designation of Senior Women Administrator. She also serves as the conference’s Regional Advisor Committee representative for Division III men’s tennis. Additionally, Bryne-Dunn has been a member of the Division III Assistant Commissioners Group, where she was recently elected as Second Vice Chair.

Bryne-Dunn has always sought out opportunities for professional growth and development. In the fall of 2023 she was selected by the NCAA to attend the Division III Senior Women Administrator Program. She also became an NCAA Division III Inclusive Leadership Workshop facilitator in 2024 and 2025. This year, Bryne-Dunn was selected to attend the fall summit and NCAA Impact Forum in November.

Bryne-Dunn is a 2018 alum of the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s in psychology. She went on to obtain her master’s degree in sports administration in 2020 from Wayne State University. During her time at Wayne State she served as a sports information graduate intern, worked for the Detroit Tigers Foundation event staff, worked game days for the Detroit Lions on the marketing promotional team, and volunteered at the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Bryne-Dunn has been an active member of CSC joining the Professional Development and Continuing Education Committee, the CSC Mentorship Committee, and the CSC 30 Under 30 Selection Committee for the Class of 2025. She was selected for the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 and the 2025-26 Inclusion Fellowship Program.

“One of the most fun parts of the job...Handing out the trophy to our tournament champions!” Bryne-Dunn handing out a trophy after Adrian College won the 2025 MIAA Baseball Tournament.

What inspired you to enter the field of college athletics communications?
LBD: I had a very nontraditional start to my career in athletics. It wasn’t something I actively pursued until after completing my bachelor’s degree, as I originally planned to go into psychology. Once I decided to pursue athletics, I knew I had to gain experience quickly if I wanted to break into this profession.

As luck would have it, I received an email in 2018 that Wayne State Baseball was looking for volunteers to help with its summer camp, hosted with the Detroit Tigers. After the camp, WSU head baseball coach Ryan Kelly told me that Wayne State Athletics was seeking a sports information graduate intern. With little knowledge of the role and almost no experience in sports, I gave the interview my all and landed the internship.

I was fortunate to have mentors in Jeff Weiss and Cam Weidenthaler, who guided me in my two years there as I gained invaluable experience overseeing my own sports and being hands-on during gamedays. The experience made for a natural transition to my position with the MIAA, which is heavily sports-information based.

I truly enjoy sharing the stories of our student-athletes and institutions while continuing to grow on the administrative side of athletics. I am also incredibly thankful to have started in sports information, as it gave me a deeper respect and understanding of the challenges our conference’s sports information and communications personnel face. I owe much of my professional success to the support and collaboration of the communicators at our nine schools over the past five years, and I am so grateful for them.

Bryne-Dunn got to experience New Orleans for the first time when she traveled there for the 2023 NCAA Division III Senior Woman Administrator Program, followed by the Women Leaders Convention.

What does it mean to you to be named a CSC 30 Under 30 and why is it important for young professionals to get involved in CSC?
LBD: I was absolutely speechless when I learned that I had been named a CSC 30 Under 30 honoree. Receiving such a prestigious recognition meant everything to me, and I was especially proud to represent the girls and women who aspire to work in this industry one day.

I believe it’s important for young professionals to get involved in CSC because of the incredible educational opportunities and networking it provides – both of which are invaluable especially when just starting out. From the mentorship program to opportunities to serve on committees, CSC Unite, and more, there are so many ways to get connected with others in the industry who may be a few steps ahead of you. You never know who might open the door to your next opportunity!

Is there a female sports professional that you admire and who has inspired you? Why? And what do you admire most about them?

LBD: The first female sports professional I truly admired was Penny Allen-Cook, the first commissioner I worked under. She took a chance on me when I was fresh out of graduate school, with only an internship and a few professional sport experiences on my résumé. More importantly, she showed me what it means to be a woman leading with strength and confidence in the sports industry.

I am also fortunate to work alongside incredible women in leadership positions within our conference. I deeply admire the passion they pour into their departments and teams, and they are often among the first people I turn to when I need advice or an outside perspective.

Finally, my ultimate role model is my mom. While she doesn’t work in sports, she has shaped my understanding of leadership and resilience more than anyone else. She is strong, fearless, and an unwavering source of support and guidance in every aspect of life. I aspire to embody even half of the woman she is – both personally and professionally.

Traveling to the 2024 MIAA Men's Tennis Tournament at Kalamazoo College.

Quick Hitters with Lauren:

Your dream job as a kid: I honestly had to ask my parents about this one because I can’t remember one job ever sticking with me as a “dream job”. My mom said that I was really into playing school, reading books, and teaching my younger sister, so she thought I would want to be a teacher. I also wanted to be on Broadway once I made my theatrical debut as a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz.

If you could have dinner with one famous person who would it be and why? Hilary Duff. I was obsessed with Lizzie McGuire and my dad took me to two of her concerts. She also seems like a genuinely good, down-to-earth person so it would be great to just sit down and chat!

Who is your favorite U Michigan professional athlete alum? Right now, I would say it’s Aiden Hutchinson. I loved watching Hutchinson during his time at Michigan and it’s awesome to see him thriving professionally in Detroit!

Favorite professional sports team: Detroit Lions

Favorite season: Fall

What’s a fun fact that not many people know about you? Everyone in my personal life knows this but probably less people in my professional circle… I have been involved in theatre (as mentioned above) and choir since sixth grade. Although it’s been hard to be onstage with this job, I try to assistant direct at a professional dinner theatre called The Dio when I can. I am also a member of the Livingston County Chorale and a subgroup of LCC called #JTS.

Favorite fall activity: Besides attending Michigan football games, probably visiting the cider mill!

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