2013 NCAA Convention

Division II: Handling Media Issues - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly When It Comes to Sharing Athletics Department News 

This session will provide athletics personnel with an overview of how to handle media issues on campus, including recommendations on who to involve within the institution or conference when a significant event occurs; how to be mindful of ancillary issues (such as federal and state laws); and ultimately how to handle an effective press release and questions from the media. A panel featuring representatives from Division II institutions and conferences will offer different perspectives and experiences on how best to share stories and work with the media.

Moderator: Stacey Osburn, Director of Public and Media Relations, NCAA

Stacey Osburn has been with the NCAA communications staff since 2006 and currently holds the position of director of public and media relations. In this role, she is responsible for issues management and strategy for a variety of areas, including student-athlete eligibility, investigations and Committee on Infractions decisions. Prior to joining the NCAA, Osburn worked at Waggener Edstrom where she was responsible for analyst relations for Microsoft’s Windows Live and MSN product lines. Osburn received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Ball State University and is currently working toward her master’s degree in public affairs. 

Speakers:

Jack Bishop, Director of Athletics, Central Washington University

Jack Bishop is in his thirteenth and final year as director of athletics at Central Washington University. Before arriving in Ellensburg in 2000, Bishop served as director of athletics at his alma mater of Southern Utah University.

Since coming to CWU, Bishop has served on the NCAA Division II Football Committee and is currently the Great Northwest Athletic Conference representative on the D2 Athletic Directors Association. Among the on-campus accomplishments during his tenure was his part in a four-phase, $13.2 million facility renovation project to Nicholson Pavilion. Wildcat teams have also posted a composite winning percentage of .500 or better in eight of Bishop’s 12 years as athletic director, qualifying for the NCAA Division II postseason in five different sports during that time.

The winningest coach in Southern Utah football history, Bishop oversaw the advancement of the athletics program from NAIA to NCAA Division II and on to SUU’s present classification at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. He served on the Division I-AA Executive Committee and on the American Football Coaches Association Rules Committee, is a past chairman of the All-America Selection Committee, and his veer option offensive philosophy has been published in the AFCA’s summer manual.

From 1969-76, Bishop was one of Utah’s most successful high school football, wrestling and track coaches. His Cedar High School football team was regional champion in 1976. He coached two CHS teams to state track titles and won one state wrestling championship at Heber City’s Wasatch High. Bishop also coached at Hurricane and Panguitch high schools.

Bishop participated in football and rodeo at both Ricks College and Southern Utah before receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology in 1970. He later completed a Master of Science degree at Utah State in 1980.

An active participant in rodeo, the 65-year-old Bishop has been married to wife Carol for 42 years. The couple lives in Ellensburg, Wash., and has three children -- son Ryan (39), daughter Jacqueline (35), and son Brock (28).

Deborah Chin, Director of Athletics, University of New Haven

Deborah Chin became the University of New Haven’s fourth director of athletics in 1993, and currently oversees a department that sponsors 16 NCAA Division II varsity sports. She was elected to the prestigious position of chair for the NCAA’s Division II Management Council for 2008 and was promoted to associate vice president, director of athletics and recreation in 2010.

UNH Athletics has enjoyed a high level of success across the board during Chin’s tenure as director, advancing to NCAA tournaments over 50 times in nearly 20 years. UNH recently made numerous capital improvements to athletic and recreational facilities, including the construction of the multi-million dollar student recreation center, a million dollar synthetic turf renovation, as well as installation of state-of-the-art blue and gold synthetic turf at the new Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium.

While at New Haven, Chin also spearheaded efforts to reinstate football as a varsity program and find UNH a new athletics conference. Both goals were accomplished in 2008 when the Chargers became a full member of the Northeast-10 Conference. The football program has flourished in its short return, including back-to-back conference championships and a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals.

A member of the University of New Haven staff since 1975, Chin has also served on over 30 national and regional NCAA committees. A graduate of SUNY-Cortland with a Bachelor of Science in physical education, Chin earned her Master of Science degree in physical education from UNC-Greensboro.

Dan Collen, Director of Athletics, Humboldt State University

Steady progress and across-the-board success have been the hallmarks of Humboldt State University Athletics since Dan Collen became athletics director in 2001.

During Collen’s tenure, the Lumberjack scholarship fund has quadrupled, providing educational opportunities to a diverse population of student-athletes who have brought success to the court, fields and track. The Jacks entertain a supportive community, which generously contributes to fundraising efforts and corporate sponsorships.

Enhancement of facilities has also been a focus of Collen’s leadership, looking to update all athletics facilities. In 2008, the athletics department moved into a new $48 million sports complex. 

Collen’s success is rooted in vast administrative experience that includes 21 years as director of HSU’s Center Activities. He has also served a variety of non-profit organizations and was the president of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, which named him Business Leader of the Year.

Collen’s understanding of the coaching realm stems from previous roles at the high school, college and United States Volleyball Association levels since 1977. He served as the Lumberjacks’ head volleyball coach for four seasons (1989-92) and compiled a career record of 83-44.

Monique A.J. Smith, Associate Commissioner of Governance/Compliance, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Monique A.J. Smith, known to most as Toni, is the associate commissioner of governance/compliance for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Smith is entering her 13th year with the CIAA and 23rd in athletic administration.  

On the national level, Smith has served on several national committees:  the NCAA Division II Football Issues Task Force, NCAA Division II Championships Committee, Division II Membership Committee, NCAA Student-Athlete Affairs Advisory Board and the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee.  She is a former board member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA), where she served as chair of the Awards Committee.  Currently, she is a member of the Division II Membership Fund Committee, a board member of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards sponsored by Honda, and also a member of the Board of Directors for the Black Women in Sport Foundation. 

Smith’s previous athletics administrative career took place on the campuses of Saint Paul’s College and the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampton University and a Master of Science degree in sports management from Old Dominion University.