What makes this news?

You are communicating “good news” about the achievements of student-athletes “off the court” and your school’s commitment to them. Understand that this special story dispels common misconceptions about student-athletes.

Target Audience:

Campus and community newspapers, radio outlets and local TV stations. The story works best with reporters and editors who cover education, sports, city and community stories. Contact your Sports Information Office to assist with this process or to provide media contact lists.

How to get your story heard:

  • Send a media alert a week in advance that lists clearly what the event is, who is involved, and when and where it is taking place, so that reporters will have a set time to attend and take pictures.
  • Follow-up by calling the reporters or editors to see that they received the announcement and to briefly describe the exciting event. This is a start to developing working relationships with contacts.
  • Two days prior to the event send a press release to the contact reminding them of the event and once again try to follow-up with a telephone call.
  • Bring media packets that include copies of the media alert and press release to the site. Also include a separate information sheet about the program and National STUDENT-Athlete Day.

Click the links below for more publicity ideas:

Sample Press Release

Date: __________
Contact & Phone: __________

THE UNIVERSITY OF __________ CELEBRATES NATIONAL-STUDENT ATHLETE DAY

CITY, STATE – Hundreds of events around the nation will mark April 6, 2009, as the 22nd annual National STUDENT-Athlete Day, including activities sponsored by the University of _________. (First paragraph should close with the “who, what, when, where” of your institution’s activities. Describe the planned event as a series of concise, newsworthy facts.)

National STUDENT-Athlete Day honors student-athletes and the network of parents, coaches, teachers and school systems that make it possible for young people to strike a balance between academic and athletic achievement and who use sport as a vehicle for positive social change. The day, established by the National Consortium for Academics & Sports, is co-sponsored by the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Northeastern University's Sport in Society.

President Clinton has saluted those involved in National STUDENT-Athlete Day activities. In an open letter acknowledging the day, he wrote, “A healthy balance between sports and academics is essential to ensuring that our students are prepared for the challenges of the future.”

Richard Lapchick, Director of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, said “Over the last twenty-two years, National STUDENT-Athlete Day has grown to enormous proportions with 2.6 million student-athletes being honored nationwide since 1997. It has truly become America’s Day to honor student-athletes.” (Add other quotations; a press release is a great opportunity for your school president and/or director of athletics to be quoted congratulating those involved.)


Publicity within Your School

Need:

Many student-athletes are recognized only for their efforts on the playing field. Similarly, the efforts of academic support staff including advisors, tutors and coaches are virtually unknown.


Opportunity:

This is a great opportunity for your campus to hear about the academic and community service achievements of your student-athletes, the efforts of the support staff who work with them, and your institutional commitment to the ideals of National STUDENT-Athlete Day.


What can we do?

Choose a variety of methods to communicate to your entire institution:
  • University-wide memorandum including faculty and staff
  • Posters all over campus
  • Articles in campus papers
  • Interviews on campus radio
  • Handouts in residence halls and fraternity meetings

What should be said?

  • Explain the goal of the communication: “National STUDENT-Athlete Day is America's Day to recognize the academic and community achievements of student-athletes.” Give examples of outreach and community service programs that your student-athletes are involved in.
  • Explain your involvement as a member of the NCAS and how National STUDENT-Athlete Day is one part of a larger community providing outreach service during the year by your student-athletes.
  • Describe the activities your institution has planned.
  • List names of student-athletes and/or support staff being honored and why they were selected.

Desired results:

Faculty, staff and students at your school will understand the achievements of your student-athletes in the classroom and the commitment they have made in the community.