HILTON, N.Y. - Earlier this month, longtime Russell Sage College Director of Athletic Communications Ann King (1964-2023) was announced as an Empire 8 Conference Legend. The E8, holding its 25th anniversary season in 2023-24, will be celebrating various coaches, administrators and former student-athletes throughout the year as part of the Empire 8 25th Anniversary Legends series.
Ann King was in her 37th year as a sports information director and her 15th season at Russell Sage College as Director of Athletic Communications, where she was hired as the institution's first full-time SID in the summer of 2009. Prior to that, King spent 17 and a half years as SID at The College of New Jersey and six years as SID at her alma mater, Drew University.
A legend in the Sports Information/Athletic Communications field, King was elected to the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 2006, and was named the first recipient of the organization's Warren Berg Award in 2003. She was also selected as the 2018 recipient of the CoSIDA Mary Jo Haverbeck Award, which is presented annually to a CoSIDA member who is a pioneer in the field of sports information who has mentored and helped improve the level of ethnic and gender diversity within CoSIDA.
King is a past president of the Eastern Athletic Communications Association (formerly ECAC-SIDA), serving as the organization's President in 2003-04, and prior to entering the presidential rotation served as the organization's secretary from 1995-2002. She is the 2007 winner of ECAC-SIDA's Irving T. Marsh Award. In 2020, King was named the ECAC-SIDA Pete Nevins Award winner for Distinguished Achievement. She also served as a past president of D3SIDA and from 1999-2002, served as a College Division Representative on the CoSIDA Board of Directors, becoming just the 10th female named to the Board of Directors in the organization's 60-year history.
She was named to the NCAA's Division III-CoSIDA Strategic Communications Committee in the spring of 2012 and was elected as the group's chair. She also served as a member of the NCAA Media Coordination Advisory Board from 2012-2015. One of the founders of WoSIDA (formerly FAME), King has been active in the creation of an organization whose mission is to discuss issues facing women in the sports media relations field. She served as the first president of FAME from 2008-10.
Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano says: "Ann is a legend and pioneer in the field of college sports communications as well as Empire 8. She has been a tireless advocate for ethnic and gender diversity in college sports communications. Her leadership, advocacy and mentorship has been impactful in helping the industry evolve. In addition to her substantial influence, Ann's boundless energy and passion for student-athletes makes her an ideal individual to be named an Empire 8 Legend."
School: Russell Sage College
Title: Director of Athletic Communications
Year at Current Institution/Total in College Athletics: 15th at Russell Sage/37th in College Athletics
College Attended/Class Year: Drew University '86
Years associated with the Empire 8 Conference: 2017-2023
Favorite Professional Athlete/Pro Team: Arnold Palmer, Brianna Stewart, Peyton Manning, and Ryan Preece. Favorite team is the Boston Red Sox.
Favorite Movie: A Walk in the Clouds, Sweet Home Alabama, and The Blind Side
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Castle, Rizzoli and Isles, Heartland and Yellowstone!
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla
What Do You Enjoy Doing When Away From College Athletics? Riding and showing horses, gardening and spending time with my family and friends!
Favorite or Dream Vacation Spot: Sedona, Arizona! Would love to visit Greece and Tuscany. I have been to 47 different states and I only am missing Alaska, Minnesota and Alabama.
Favorite Athletic Memory as a Coach/Administrator:
I have certainly had so many over the years having covered numerous NCAA Championship programs over the course of my career. I have to admit I get emotional on senior days and sometimes need to have some Kleenex on hand. The last few years have certainly had so many emotional events in my person life as I have been battling breast cancer and now leukemia and am in need of transplant. This past fall I had two occasions that just blew me away emotionally as the support I have gotten not only from the Gator athletic community, but the entire Empire 8 community has been beyond real. On October 16, together with my husband, Tracy King and my son, Robert, in toe, we arrived at campus, just as the Gators were going to participate in the Albany Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk. To see the entire Sage athletic community there in T-shirts to support my fight, was just overwhelming and truly a special moment.
Less than two months later, RSC's Women's Basketball Team hosted Utica University. Head RSC Women's Basketball Coach Allison Coleman and Utica's Michele Davis warmed up in the same t-shirts and every player and coach came over in pre-game to wish me well and show me support. Adding to the amazing impact the Empire 8 athletic community has shown both myself and my family, from events like this to additional events such as the participation in the Be the Match Bone Marrow program, is what makes the E8 conference so special. Knowing that everyone is looking to assist not only its members, but that of others and hopefully make a difference for the life trajectory of a total stranger is a gift that what helps to make Division III student-athletes and programs so special! Your love and support has been felt and continues to help myself every day! The words Thank You just do not cover what your gifts and kindnesses have meant and continue to mean to us every day!
Who Are Your Greatest Mentor(s)?
Oh that is so tough for me as I have been so blessed to have so many amazing mentors in my life, who truly cared and made a difference! Mary Jo Haverbeck from Penn State, who was a Pioneer in college athletics and one of the first woman to really promote women's college athletics in a time when that was unheard of has to be at the top of my list. Her friendship, leadership and guidance for a young woman breaking into the profession will never be forgotten! While my programs never competed against Penn State, that did not matter. She touched the lives of so many and her gifts have left an impact in my life and that of so many others as it led to the creation of FAME, now Wosida, a women's mentoring group that has helped several generations of females in athletic communications, conference offices and beyond.
Having been friends for over 35 years with Sheila Stevenson, now retired from Rowan University has been a life blessing as well. While our institutions were arch rivals, that did not matter! I learned so much from her about media relations, hosting events, organization, but most importantly, what a true friend is. Her support and friendship to this day, is just over the moon, just like her role in athletic communications and I am so lucky have her in my corner and in my life!
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being a Coach/Administrator: Being able to help tell the stories of our student-athletes and coaches and help them find a voice for unique gifts and talents as well as their great academic successes.
What is your favorite aspect of Division III Athletics?
The student-athletes are just that, student-athletes. They are well-rounded individuals that do so much beyond what they do on the playing fields and courts. They are engaged in their communities and deeply care about making a difference. They appreciate what being a member of a college athletic team involves and how they are able to develop as future leaders and professionals beyond their collegiate athletic careers.
What is your favorite memory from your time in the Empire 8 Conference?
The support and professionalism from the conference athletic communications staffs both at all of the conference institutions and the conference office has been tremendous. We might be rivals on the playing fields, but we are all part of a team looking to learn and grow in our ever-changing profession. Being blessed to work with so many tremendous colleagues, is one of the facts that the E8 stands out. Being able to learn and share ideas and new techniques with your peers is a gift and the E8 is a special group that embraces that and looks to be a leader in how it enhances our roles, and professional growth!
How Does The Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences?
The Empire 8 tells the story of what it means to be a leader and a Division III student-athlete! From their high level of sportsmanship and academic success, to the pride they exude in wearing their school colors as they compete, it is a conference that looks to be a leader among NCAA Division III!
In your opinion, what would you say the league has done a great job of during your association with the Empire 8 Conference?
Enhancing the student-athlete experience and promotion of the value of intercollegiate athletics and how it can impact as leaders both on an off-campus for generations to come.
The Empire 8 taught me:
We are all in this to make a difference in our programs and that we are all passionate about how we do our roles. That vision to be and do more, is not unique to just RSC, but it is a gift we all share.
If you could use just one word to describe the Empire 8 Conference, what would it be?
Transformative!
If you had to describe the Empire 8 to someone who knew nothing about it, what would you tell them?
The Empire 8 is a group of passionate, innovative leaders in intercollegiate athletics with a vision to create the best possible experience for its members as they look to the future!
Finally, 25 years from now, what do you hope people are saying about the Empire 8 Conference?
The Empire 8 has made a difference in Division III Athletics and is a conference that exudes class, excellence and academic prowess and athletic success, while maintaining high standards and high expectations for the future!
Advice for Aspiring Student-Athletes (Youth/High School and Incoming Collegians):
Ask questions and enjoy the ride! You have an amazing support team in your corner and your collegiate career will be filled with all sorts of experiences. Win-Lose-or-Draw, those experiences will help you grow and become your future self. It can certainly be scary at times, but you are not alone and everyone has been in your shoes at some point.
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes:
Don't be afraid to fail! Follow your passion and be open to new challenges. You have a great tool box that you are building along your journey and use that as your foundation for what is ahead.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
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