MU| N e w s
Mark Adkins
Mark Adkins
sports information director
What did you do before Manchester
and how did you end up here?
I’ve been in the sports media business since
1990. I spent 12 years in the newspaper
business as a sports editor and writer. For
the past 16 years, I’ve worked in sports
information at three schools – Wartburg
(2000-2010); Norwich College of Vermont
(2010-11); Manchester (2011-present).
A good friend had heard about the
Manchester opening and called me in
Vermont. Our family felt we were too far
away from the Midwest.
Tell us about your education?
Bachelor’s degree in journalism from
Wartburg College of Iowa, 1990. One year
of work toward a master’s degree at North
Dakota State University.
What is your best memory of college?
Discovering how much I loved sports
journalism at Wartburg. I also really enjoyed
being part of the choir as I’ve been singing
since a young age.
Why did you want to be a sports
information director and what does an
SID do?
I had done everything I wanted to do in
sports writing and I wanted a new challenge.
A friend was in sports information work and
loved it. After talking to him, I decided to take
a chance. It was and still is the best decision
I could have made from a career standpoint.
I handle media relations and the website,
photography, social media and so forth for an
institution’s athletic programs.
Tell us about the course you teach?
Sports Information Principles is a three-
credit course offered through the College of
Business. We examine the profession from
many angles including crisis communication,
social media, writing, and so forth. This
semester, we visited Purdue and Notre Dame
to talk to their sports information offices and
also see their staffs in action.
What is your favorite part of working
at Manchester?
many ways. My wife Terri, my daughter Callie
and I couldn’t ask for a better place. I’m also
fortunate to work with a tremendous coaching
staff and athletic administration group.
What advice would you give to
Manchester students?
Take every opportunity you can. If you get a
chance to try something new, do it. You never
know where a career possibility might be. I
went to school for business administration
and wound up in sports information.
When you’re not working, how do you
enjoy spending your time?
I’m a huge sports fan. I follow my Minnesota
Vikings, Kansas City Royals, Chicago
Blackhawks, Indiana Pacers and many other
sports. Our family enjoys traveling too. Family
time is very important to me no matter if it’s
watching “Designated Survivor/Chicago Fire”
or many of the other shows we enjoy or being
back in our native Iowa with extended family.
I also enjoy video games.
It’s such a family atmosphere. Everywhere
you turn, people are willing to help you in so
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