College Sports Information Directors of America

About the June Stewart Leadership Series

Ep 08 June Stewart Leadership Series Podcast, February 16, 2021

Podcast with Earl Edwards (UC San Diego) and Kim Pate (Lenoir-Rhyne)
with host Trip Durham, 2D Consulting, LLC

Earl W. Edwards – UC San Diego (NCAA Division I), Director of Athletics @UCSDEarlEdwards

Kim Pate – Lenoir-Rhyne (NCAA Division II), Vice President for Athletics LRBearsAD @

Host: Trip Durham, 2D Consulting, LLC Founder

CoSIDA · Kim Pate & Earl Edwards - June Stewart Leadership Series Ep 08

Podcast Length: 42:14

This new podcast in the June Stewart Leadership Series is a discussion between Earl Edwards, Director of Athletics at UC-San Diego, which recently moved to NCAA Division I, and Kim Pate, Vice President for Athletics at Lenoir-Rhyne, a NCAA Division II institution in Hickory, North Carolina. Host is Trip Durham of 2D Consulting.

• How each of them defines leadership, and how they focus on staff development, strategic planning, etc. as leaders in their departments and on their campuses or in conference offices, particularly in this time of challenges navigated over the past year with COVID, social justice/racial justice and a polarizing election.
• Edwards discussed this as the leader of UCSD’s athletic department in a crowded sports market, how he and his staff approached communications. He talked about the strategies used and some content “wins” for the Tritons.
• Pate spoke about her department adopted the notion of “driving, rather than surviving” and how those four words speak volumes, especially as her staff worked and works remotely.
• Each spoke on the importance of ADs being advocates on issues of diversity & inclusion. Although from difference experiences and backgrounds, both Pate and Edwards value the same thing — a message of solidarity in the important fight for equality.
• A discussion on how the voices of student-athletes, particularly on social media or in protests, have never been heard stronger than they are now, and how each school and its communications professionals work with their student-athletes to help them put their best ‘voice’ forward. How “leading by example is teaching by example” is one main philosophy for each.
• Both answered the questions “As a leader, what was your approach in encouraging student-athletes and coaches to make November 3 a priority?” and, “As a leader through these complicated conversations, how do — and will — you know that you’ve moved the needle and made an impact and what are the signs you are looking for?”
• The value of the office of athletic communications and the profession of sports information was discussed, and how important they are to the health of the athletic department now, moreso than perhaps the value a few years ago.

CoSIDA · June Stewart Leadership Series

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About the June Stewart Leadership Series Podcast

CoSIDA debuted the June Stewart Leadership Series in the Fall of 2019 as part of our year-round professional development and continuing education program for our members.

This series adds to our existing professional development initiatives and is named in honor of the late June Stewart who served as CoSIDA's first female president during the 1990-91 academic year. Stewart was a longtime Vanderbilt University administrator and a pioneer for women in college athletics. The series was created in honor of Stewart's great leadership, her love and commitment to the profession and her legacy in giving back to CoSIDA.

This special June Stewart Series showcases noted speakers and experts who will address CoSIDA members on timely communications and leadership topics and issues.

Designed exclusively for CoSIDA members, this series of webinars and podcasts will offer perspectives on leadership and perspectives on managing and directing collegiate athletic communications.

Click here to read more about CoSIDA Hall of Famer June Stewart.

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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