Albany, NY – The Sage Colleges’ Department of Athletics has announced the selection of Colleen Dempsey (Mansfield, PA) as the new assistant director of athletic communications. Sage, which is the recipient of an NCAA Women and Minority Grant, selected Dempsey after a national search and she will commence her new role on August 1.

Director of Athletics and Recreation Dani Drews said of Demspey’s selection, “We are grateful to the NCAA for the new grant-supported position that has brought Colleen to Sage.” Drews added, “Even before her official start date, she has already injected our Athletic Communication Office with ideas and enthusiasm that will lead our promotions and social media efforts.   We cannot wait to see what she has in store for the Gators this year!"

A 2015 graduate of Mansfield University and a Presidential Scholar Athlete, Dempsey is no stranger to athletics having grown up in an athletic family as her father, Tim Dempsey, is the head women’s soccer coach at Mansfield. A varsity letterwinner in soccer for the Division II Mounties, she worked for five years as a member of the Mansfield University sports information office under award-winning director, Steve McCloskey. While a student employee for McCloskey, she wrote press releases and provided social media content for www.gomounties.com and helped the program garner recognition for success. She also assisted media during press conferences, athletic events, and media days to facilitate student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.

Dempsey said, “I am very eager to join the athletic communications staff at Sage.” She added, “This is a very exciting time for Gator athletics, and I look forward to enhancing the experiences of students-athletes, coaches and fans.”

A trusted member of the staff, she served as the contact for Mansfield University’s swimming and softball programs, while also assisting with game-day promotions. She also was involved with and is trained in video editing and graphic design.

No stranger to success on the soccer pitch, Dempsey was a two-time team captain at Mansfield and helped to organize a team fundraiser that collected over $500 for cancer research. As a senior, she was recognized for academic excellence as well as she was named as a recipient of the NSCAA Team Academic Award.  She was also active on campus, she was part of Mansfield University’s Mountie Ambassador Orientation Team and the school's production of Les Miserables, while also serving as a camp counselor for soccer camps both at Mansfield and in the Mansfield community.

Dempsey, who is active in Girl Scouts, earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award obtainable in scouting, while also participating in the Political Science Club on campus. In addition, she took part in a two-week summer abroad program to Belize as a part of Mansfield's political science department. A 2015 graduate of Mansfield University with a bachelor degree in political science and organizational communications, she also minored in public relations.

She currently holds professional memberships in both ECAC-SIDA and CoSIDA and has been active as a member of FAME, a women’s mentoring group for athletic communicators.