Tag Archives: Coastal Carolina University

Still Connected to Interollegiate Athletics

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When people in Missoula found out that I accepted a position at Coastal Carolina they reacted in a few different ways. Some saw it as a total out of the blue move. Some wanted to know if it had anything to do with the Montana vs. Coastal Carolina football game in December. Some questioned me on whether I could handle a job outside athletics.

Let me briefly answer the first two thoughts. If it seemed like it came out of the blue then that is no coincidence. Why someone would want to let anyone else besides your current employer know about possible job prospects is beyond me. The “making moves” or “big interview tomorrow” statuses on social media disrespect both your current and potential employers and I think it jinxes your aspirations. And no, me taking the position at Coastal Carolina had 0% to do with the football game in December.

Now to the question that I felt carried the most weight: Could I fully embrace a job not directly affiliated with athletics? While I feel like the question was the most legitimate out of the three for others to ask it never really made me think twice. I love sports with all my heart but I wasn’t opposed to a change. After four and a half years of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. days, non-existent weekends, and a laundry list of responsibilities it started to wear on me a bit. Add that to the amazing opportunity presented to me by Coastal Carolina and I knew my next career move was set.

But you see, I have the best of both worlds. While I am no longer toiling working inside an athletic department I still get the opportunity to experience intercollegiate athletics. In my job now I cover all happenings and events on campus so I get to take the time and share the good news of Chanticleer Athletics. Luckily for me this part of the new gig is fun and easy because the CCU athletics department has welcomed me with open arms.

Chauncey welcomed me with open arms too.

Chauncey welcomed me with open arms too.

It is kind of interesting because even before I moved to Myrtle Beach I already kind of had my foot in the door with the athletics staff. When I went to the CCU campus in March for my in-person interview Matt Hogue, the Associate Vice President of Marketing/Licensing, was on the hiring committee. About a week after my interview he was named the interim Athletic Director. Also during my in-person interview I had a session where I interviewed with three people who play big roles in the CCU social media landscape around campus. One of those people happened to be Kevin Olivett, the marketing director for Chanticleer Athletics. Even though he was in the middle of running two conference basketball tournaments at the time he still managed to sit in for my interview.

Fast forward to the end of April and Kevin kept in touch with me. He followed my journey across the country and wasted no time reaching out to me and setting up a lunch date. Just my fourth day on the job he took me to downtown Conway where we ate at a place called the Crafty Rooster. Joining us was a play-by-play announcer for the department and a Myrtle Beach sports talk radio host, Aaron Marks. Later that day I sat in a meeting with Kevin, his assistant, and the department’s ticket guy to brainstorm social media ideas. How cool and nice of them to involve me in their social media efforts and value my opinion!

The hospitality didn’t stop there though. I received an all-access pass for the Big South Conference softball tournament. I had a nice time covering and watching the tourney from the brand new softball facility on campus. As the Chants made it to the championship game I got to meet more athletics staff including the videographers and the sponsorship director. All were so gracious and welcoming. It was refreshing to see how another athletic department goes about business and I came out of the weekend just that much more pumped to be a Chanticleer.

I had a great time attending the softball tournament and seeing how another athletic department does things.

I had a great time attending the softball tournament and seeing how another athletic department does things.

So please don’t worry about me if you think I am not getting my athletics fix in. I definitely am! Things are just much more balanced now. I am seeing a much wider perspective of university life while still getting to focus a little bit in the area where I got my start in. Don’t Blink.

Loving My New Job Already

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Is it too early to say I love my job yet? Although I have only had my gig at Coastal Carolina University since last Thursday I couldn’t be more excited about what I am doing or more satisfied with the decision I made to come here. The welcome I have received on campus has exceeded all my expectations and while I have the freedom to do my work I also know I have the complete support of our staff if I needed assistance. In tonight’s blog post I just want to share a few things that I have experienced in my first few days at CCU.

Finals Frenzy – It is finals week at Coastal Carolina. Last night an event called Finals Frenzy took place in Hicks Hall on campus. Starting at 10 p.m. and going until midnight students could come by and eat a variety of free food, participate in a cornhole tournament, win sweet prizes, and try to make a dent in a giant mountain of ice cream. For me it marked the first CCU event that I got to cover. I really enjoyed interacting with the students and observing them as well. Another highlight was that I got to meet several staff members who play large roles in the CCU social media landscape. Adding just one more plus to the late evening was that I got introduced to the President, Dr. DeCenzo.

This wasn't even the ice cream mountain at full size. In fact, this was what it looked like over an hour into the event.

This wasn’t even the ice cream mountain at full size. In fact, this was what it looked like over an hour into the event.

Exposure to Different Students – Today I went and took behind the scenes photos/video at the taping of the news program that our department puts out called “Coastal Today”. The particular show shot this morning was a special with the graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts students. With the filming taking place in the intimate Black Box Theater of the Edwards Building I had the opportunity to meet extremely talented individuals who hope to make a big splash in the performing arts world. Fresh off a trip to New York where they underwent evaluation, the students had the opportunity to talk on camera about their experiences and upcoming graduation. I absolutely loved working with student-athletes but I find it cool that I now get to work with a wide variety of different student groups.

 

I went on set of "Coastal Today" and met some cool students.

I went on set of “Coastal Today” and met some cool students.

 

Teal Tuesday – Coastal Carolina University has an awesome tradition where the campus dresses in teal on Tuesdays. People take this very seriously, especially the staff, and as you can imagine the participation rate is high. I sported my new teal CCU polo today and really felt part of the Coastal Carolina family. Besides the fact that I like the color teal and that I love the concept in general I also enjoy the fact that my decision on what to wear on Tuesdays is no longer an issue.

Me on my first ever Teal Tuesday.

Me on my first ever Teal Tuesday.

Office Location and Staff – I work in University Communication at CCU. We are housed right in the middle of campus in the Singleton Building. Besides my office (which also includes media relations, marketing/licensing, publications, and graphics) we also share the building with the President’s office, business and finance, and legal counsel. While it is a neat deal to work in the administration building on campus the experience is heightened even more because of the people I get to work with inside those walls. I can’t say enough about how much the staff I am on has gone out of their way to make me feel comfortable and welcome. My boss is beyond awesome and the other people who make up University Communication treat me so well. I have said it before, I am extremely happy I made the decision that I did.

The Singleton Building is where I work in (left) and this is the door to our offices (right).

The Singleton Building is where I work in (left) and this is the door to our offices (right).

Beauty – The campus here is gorgeous. It is vibrant green and the grounds are meticulously well-kept. A pond sits in the middle of campus with a bridge crossing over it. Flower beds can be found everywhere you look. Adding to the beauty of the campus is the fact that it is pretty much always drenched in abundant sunshine. What’s not to like?!

During an early morning stroll on campus I took this photo of the pond while crossing the bridge.

During an early morning stroll on campus I took this photo of the pond while crossing the bridge.

I am on fire for what I am doing right now. I love what I am tasked with and the environment that I get to do it in. Coastal Carolina University is a wonderful place to work and I am very glad that I am here. Don’t Blink.

First Weekend in Myrtle Beach Down, First Full Week at CCU Coming Up

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I find myself in a very content position right now. I am coming off a super nice first weekend in Myrtle Beach and I have a lot to look forward to this upcoming work week.

Let me start first with the weekend. As I mentioned in my last blog post, Saturday started well with a great workout, the completion of some housekeeping issues, and pool time. But it only got better from there. My new friend Veronica and I went out to a great restaurant in Garden City (a small town about 10 miles from Myrtle Beach). Called the Guflstream Café, it is a coveted local steak and seafood place that was built right on the beach. The two of us sat on the upper deck overlooking the water and boats. For dinner we had New York steak and delicious salmon. It is also worth noting that the mashed potatoes that came with the entrees were to die for.

It was a very enjoyable dinner at the Gulfstream Café (clockwise: The view from the deck, the restaurant sign, Veronica with her salmon dinner, my steak!).

It was a very enjoyable dinner at the Gulfstream Café (clockwise: The view from the deck, the restaurant sign, Veronica with her salmon dinner, my steak!).

On Sunday I started the day off right by going to church. As I search for a Catholic church this morning I went with Veronica to her church called New Spring. I feel it is always good to go outside your comfort zone every now and then. After the service I came back to my apartment and spent some more time at the pool. This time though a couple fellow residents introduced themselves to me so I got to meet some people who live at my complex. After I took a stroll on the beach I went to a place called Broadway at the Beach, an area in Myrtle Beach that is full of shops, food, and bars. Although I loved the atmosphere I didn’t achieve my mission of finding a Mother’s Day gift.

The pool at the Alexan Withers Preserve complex is awesome! Great layout and atmosphere.

The pool at the Alexan Withers Preserve complex is awesome! Great layout and atmosphere.

From Broadway at the Beach I went the few block to TicketReturn.com Field, the baseball stadium of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. As a Minor League Single A (long season) team I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and my seat located in the shade behind home plate. I dominated a bag of peanuts and enjoyed the time by myself…in my opinion, a perfect way to cap off the weekend.

I had a nice relaxing time at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans game.

I had a nice relaxing time at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans game.

I am stoked to get back to work tomorrow! It is graduation week at Coastal Carolina University and I will have the opportunity to work hard and do as much as I can to generate excitement and buildup through our social media outlets. Graduation itself will take place on Saturday in Brooks Stadium, the home of the football team. There will also be festivities prior to the ceremony that I will get to cover as well, just additional chances for me to get my feet wet and connect with the CCU community.

I feel fortunate. I feel fortunate that the staff at Coastal Carolina University has welcomed me so warmly. I feel fortunate that I met someone like Veronica who has taken the time to hang out with me and serve as my “tour guide” so to speak (she hates that term). I feel fortunate that I have the support of my family almost 3,000 miles away. I am blessed. Have a great week everyone! Don’t Blink.

Career Move: Coastal Carolina University

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Last week I made a major career decision as I accepted a position at Coastal Carolina University. On May 1 I will officially start my duties as the Social Media and Online Marketing Coordinator at the school. With such a life changing adventure ahead of me I definitely have many emotions inside of me and a lot of words I want to say to numerous different people. But I still have four weeks to get all that out. Tonight I will just offer the basics.

At my new position at Coastal Carolina I will no longer work directly in athletics. Rather I will have the task of developing and overseeing the social media program at the university as a whole. Working in the University Communication office I will get firsthand experience working with marketing, licensing, and public relations folks on a day-to-basis. It is an amazing opportunity.

But the job opportunity itself, although the primary reason, is not the sole factor on why I am moving across the country. First off, I can’t wait to work for the people who hired me. During the search process I was treated like a king and made to feel extremely valued by a couple vice presidents and a very well established public affairs director. To have people of that stature spend time on me made me feel extremely honored and wanted. Then there is the whole Myrtle Beach thing too. People I am close to know my strong preference for a warm climate. The fact that the area is right on the ocean helped as well. Finally, earning a higher salary, although not what I base my existence on, definitely factored in.

When I visited Coastal Carolina in March for my on-site interview I had a hotel room with a balcony that overlooked the ocean.

When I visited Coastal Carolina in March for my on-site interview I had a hotel room with a balcony that overlooked the ocean.

Of course distance from my family will be the toughest obstacle to overcome. But we do live in a world where thousands of miles can be reduced to a few inches with Skype and FaceTime. I will manage. I also am sad to leave Grizzly Athletics. Although I am so ready to leave the state of Montana I love the people I work with and the job I get to perform here.

Just a quick timeline for my dedicated readers: My last day working for Grizzly Athletics is Wednesday, April 16. I will then spend a few days including the Easter weekend with my family in Spokane. From there I will make the trek across the country on my new adventure. My official start date at Coastal Carolina is May 1.

Early in March I got to visit South Carolina for my on-site interview and while in the area and on the campus I knew the place was right for me. Although I know the nerves will probably hit me in the coming weeks I am 100% confident in my decision and I am excited for the things to come. The outpouring of support that has greeted my announcement has already exceeded anything I imagined and I am incredibly thankful. You are all welcome to join me via Don’t Blink as I go on this ride. Don’t Blink.