Social Media Relations
Resume:
ERIC C. McDOWELL
Schenectady, NY 12304
Cell: 518-***-****
****@*****************.***
Summary of Experience
PRESIDENT
The Eric Idea Agency – Schenectady, NY
• Public relations and media relations services to small businesses and individuals
• Website content and social media content
• Event management services including site selection, preparation, menu, time management, speaker training of award recipients, and serving as Master of Ceremonies if applicable
• Provide public speaking engagements on topics on career development, crisis management, motivation, and topics generated by the client that can assist the employees
• Created the Capital District Sports Women of the Year, Inc. This charity organization honors exceptional high school and college female student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, and community service. CDSWOY also donates to charity. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS/SPORTS INFORMATION Union College – Schenectady, NY
• Supervised staff of one full-time assistant, one intern and 15 students
• Director of department that serves 24 varsity sports at NCAA Division III level and two at NCAA Division I level
• Media services with market that includes four television stations, three daily papers and two sports radio talk shows
• Responsible for all budget development, home event media and statistical services
• Implemented new web site, including content plans and design from SIDEARM, along with web streaming and live statistics
• Developed research and voting procedures for Athletics Hall of Fame, became chair of committee, and implemented Team of Distinction
• Broadcasted playoff games on the website for variety of events
• Instituted “Union Hockey Coach’s Corner LIVE” weekly radio show for men’s ice hockey program at local restaurant
• Developed Facebook, Twitter and live chat room applications for teams
• Served on numerous committees for the hiring of head coaches
• Secured sole sponsor for entire radio network broadcast contract for multi-year deal, first year of $12,200 in 2012-13
• Implemented “Nice to Meet U, Union Athletics” feature on website and on local television, with interview format with student-athlete
• Implemented “Justin’s ‘Just Out’ Home Run Derby” to raise funds for freshman baseball player suffering from cancer ($10,000 first year) VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
Lowell Lock Monsters, American Hockey League franchise, Lowell, MA
• Supervised staff of two full-time interns, and six game-night staffers (used for 40 home games plus playoff games)
• Implemented “Fan Card” program, used by other teams, in January. Became the first franchise in the AHL and only the sixth in pro sports to implement the program. Attendance increased by an average of 1,001 fans per game over program’s use (final 18 games of season)
• Produced extensive game notes packet for each of the 80 regular season games and seven playoff games
• Coordinated all local and national media inquiries for team president, general manager, coaches and players
• Editor of Monster Tales, program featuring notes and statistics, published morning prior to all regular season and playoff home games
• Editor of Monster Mag, fan yearbook published twice during the season
• Co-host of The Monsters Hockey Show, weekly radio remote show during season
• Color radio analyst for WCAP-AM road broadcasts
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS
Golden State Warriors, National Basketball Association – Oakland, CA
• Supervised staff of two full-time assistants and two full-time interns
• Worked in the fourth-largest media market in the NBA, worked with five beat writers, four in-house broadcasters on a daily basis
• Coordinated local and national media inquiries for basketball operations staff, including owner, general manager, head coach, players
• Supervised game night staff of 24 individuals for home management duties
• Produced media guide and monthly issues of Warriors Magazine
• Produced and edited game notes for all pre-season and regular season games
• Worked extensively with marketing, ticket, creative services and broadcasting departments
• Conducted media tours and interviews for the New Arena in Oakland during construction and opening
• Hosted press conferences for Draft Day, Media Day, arena opening, hiring of general manager, and hiring of head coach
• Directed all media inquiries, including at away events, and press conferences during the “Latrell Sprewell Crisis”
(cont.)
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, MEDIA RELATIONS
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, CA
• Hired to assemble an NCAA Division I sports information office, with Cal Poly’s move into NCAA Division I
• Director of department that served 17 varsity sports
• Supervised staff that, by May of 1997, had one full-time assistant, one intern and three students
• By the 1996-97 season, produced media guides and game programs for 13 of the 17 varsity sports
• Organized and planned all media days, press conferences, photo shoots and home event management
• Traveled with football, men’s basketball and baseball
• Broadcast radio play-by-play for baseball and color analysis for football
• Hosted and assembled information for “Night of the Mustang,” the year-end athletic banquet for all sports
• Compiled information for and directed the annual Cal Poly Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet
• Served on the committees for the hiring of head coaches for baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball and football DIRECTOR OF SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS & INTERNAL MARKETING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SPORTS INFORMATION
University of New Hampshire – Durham, NH
• Director of department that served 12 men’s varsity sports, assisted women’s SID in media coverage
• Supervised staff of one full-time intern, one part-time secretary, and three students for NCAA Div. I program during 1991-92 athletic year
• Produced and edited weekly releases for men’s sports, from August to June
• Organized and planned all media days, press conferences, photo shoots and event management in 1991-92, assisted prior to that season
• Broadcast radio color analysis for football and men’s ice hockey
• Compiled information for the annual “UNH 100 Club Hall of Fame” banquet
• Served on committee for the hiring of the head coach of men’s ice hockey Other experiences: University of New Haven, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Cornell University Event Management
NCAA Events
• Director of Media Services for Union College – 2013 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regionals, Bridgeport, CT; 2012 Frozen Four, Tampa, FL; 2013 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regionals, Providence, RI
• Media Services– 2024 NCAA Div. I Women’s Basketball Sweet 16/Elite 8, Albany, NY (Press Conference Moderator), 2023 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball Albany Regionals, Albany, NY (Press Conference Moderator), 2019 NCAA Div. I Women’s Basketball Albany Regionals, Albany, NY; 2017 NCAA Div. I Women’s Basketball Albany Regionals, Albany, NY; 2016 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regionals, Albany, NY; 2005 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regionals, Worcester, MA; 2004 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regionals, Manchester, NH; 2004 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball East First & Second Rounds, Buffalo, NY; 2001 NCAA Div. I Frozen Four, Albany, NY; 2001 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball East First and Second Rounds, Uniondale, NY; 2001 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regionals, Worcester, MA; 2001 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regionals, Worcester, MA; 1999 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regionals, Worcester, MA; 1994 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball West Regionals, Los Angeles, CA; 2002 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball East Regionals, Syracuse, NY; 1998 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball West First & Second Rounds, Sacramento, CA; 1997 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball West Regionals, San Jose, CA; 1990 NCAA Div. I Men’s Basketball East First & Second Rounds, Hartford, CT
• Head Statistician – 2003 NCAA Div. III Women’s Lacrosse Semifinals and Finals, Pittsford, NY; 2003 NCAA Div. III Women’s Basketball Regionals, Rochester, NY; 2003 NCAA Div. I Frozen Four, Buffalo, NY
• Media Director – Various NCAA Home Events
Various Sports Events:
• Official Scorer, Lowell Spinners – Class A New York Penn League, 1998-2000
• Official Scorer, New England College Baseball All-Star Game – 1988-1992 (Fenway Park, Boston), 1999-2000 (Norwich, CT)
• Media Services Supervisor – 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, Atlanta, GA Overnight supervisor for media services at Main Press Center, experience includes crisis management and media services during the bombing incident at adjacent Centennial Olympic Park on early morning hours of July 27, 1996
• National Director, NCAA Div. I-AA Independent Football Player of the Week Program In 1996, implemented a national player of the week program for independent football schools in NCAA I-AA, including year-end awards for Coach, Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Special Teams. Also, returned to serve as one of the three panelists for weekly and year-end selections from 1999-2001.
• Yankee Conference Information Officer – NCAA Div. I-AA football conference, 1986-91 Produced media guides and weekly releases, selected player of the week, and implemented and moderated a weekly conference call
• Coordinator, “Snively’s Lively 25th” – 1990, Implemented reunion of the 1964-65 New Hampshire men’s ice hockey team in conjunction with 25th anniversary of Snively Arena
(cont.)
Professional Organizations/Involvement
CSC (College Sports Communicators – known as College Sports Information Directors of America through 2023
• Member, CoSIDA Hall of Fame – Inducted at 2009 Convention, San Antonio, TX
• Warren Berg Award– Presented at 2016 Convention, Dallas, TX
• Lifetime Achievement Award– Presented at 2024 Convention, Orlando, FL
• President – 2014-15
o President of a national organization that featured over 3,000 members throughout North America o Directed full board including three vice presidents, 14 other members, and five staff members o Directed process of hiring new position, Director of Membership Engagement, with finalist interviews in Chicago, IL o Visited with staff at the Headquarters of CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) in Ottawa, ONT o First CoSIDA president to visit with staff at headquarters of CIS (Ottawa), NCAA (Indianapolis) and NAIA (Kansas City) o Implemented “CoSIDA Cares” program with a psychiatrist for conference calls for members, and she also presented at the 2016 convention and met one-on-one with various members o Hosted reception at NCAA Convention in Washington DC, arranged a welcome from New York State Congressman Paul Tonko. With the assistance of the congressman, arranged tour of U.S. Capitol for CoSIDA Board prior to meetings o Presented “CoSIDA U” at the University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH) and Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA) o Represented organization at numerous national conferences and events o Presented Andre Agassi with Dick Enberg Award at convention
• 1st Vice President – 2013-14
o Special assistant duties for President as assigned and requested o Attended NCAA Women’s Final Four in Nashville, TN and NCAA Frozen Four in Philadelphia, PA o Presented “CoSIDA U” at the North American Society of Sport Management conference in Pittsburgh, PA o Presented to the national SAAC board for the fourth straight year at the NCAA Convention
• 2nd Vice President – 2012-13
o Served as Interim Chair of the Program Committee, overseeing 22 individuals o Worked closely with NACDA as the 2013 convention was the first CoSIDA Convention in history to join NACDA’s o Secured four professional nationally prominent speakers, one per day, for membership service and development o Instituted Family Committee to provide events and opportunities for families and children in Orlando o Invited to present at North American Society of Sport Management convention in Austin, TX o Attended NCAA Convention in 2013 (Grapevine, TX) with meetings with various officials and leadership groups o Invited to address NCAA Division III Business Meeting in Grapevine, TX. o Attended CIS Convention in Toronto, ONT, and presented benefits and updates regarding CoSIDA to membership
• 3rd Vice President – 2011-12
o Served as manager of Continuing Education Calls for membership, including scheduling guests and hosting each call o Secured the first student-athletes to present at a CoSIDA Convention. Hosted three students from the three NCAA divisions with an NAIA student. They presented a table topic and I also moderated a panel with their thoughts and input o Provided thought and assisted in implementation of Farewell Party at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO in honor of retiring Treasurer. Secured Ozzie Smith for private reception and speaking engagement from the playing field o Instituted “CoSIDA U” with development of sports management and sports communications department relationships o Visited with President of North American Society of Sport Management President in Hartford, CT, discussing “CoSIDA U” o Attended NCAA Convention in Indianapolis, IN with meetings with various officials and leadership groups
• Chair, College Division Management Advisory Committee – 2008-09 – 2010-11. Serves over 1,000 colleges in Canada and U.S., and chair of the 22-person committee representing CIS, NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III o Through request of new Executive Director, instituted committee membership and selected individuals throughout the affiliations, divisions, and regional locations
o Directed nominations from the committee for CoSIDA awards and board positions o Attended NCAA Conventions in 2010 (Atlanta, GA) and 2011 (San Antonio, TX) o Presented to NCAA National Student Athlete Advisory Committee in San Antonio, with benefits of working with the Sports Information Director on their campuses. Invited to attend a future session to develop and present strategic initiatives for a joint relationship with SAAC members and SIDs
o Attended CIS Convention in Mont Tremblant, Quebec in 2009, and presented benefits of CoSIDA to membership o Attended NAIA Convention in 2011 (Kansas City, MO) with panel presentation and meetings with CoSIDA’s Executive Director and various officials with the NAIA SID leadership group
• Director – “CoSIDA U Camp,” in Annapolis, MD in 2018 – Director and organizer for a day of panels and a social event for students, interns and other newcomers and interested individuals to learn about the sports communications profession
• Guest Columnist for Athletic Management Magazine & NACDA’s Athletic Administration Magazine – 2010-13 (various)
• Executive Director Development Committee – Worked with committee for development of the Executive Director position
(cont.)
CSC (cont.)
• Executive Board Member – CoSIDA College Division East Representative, three-year term, 2005-08 o Initiated and implemented CoSIDA Hall of Fame display and CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-America display at the NCAA Hall of Champions, Indianapolis, IN
o Presented recommendation to name scholarships after Fred Neusch and Dave Wohlhueter, accepted at business meeting
• Workshop Committee – Member, 1992-97, 1998-99, 2000-2013. Served as Vice Chair of committee in 1997
• Moderator/Host for Various Conventions – “The Student-Athlete and You” - “Motivational Session” - “Interview Panel” - “Press Conference Panel” - “CoSIDA Family Feud” - “The SID is Right!” – “Meet the Vets” ECAC-SIDA (Eastern College Athletic Conference Sports Information Directors Association)
• Irving T. Marsh Service Bureau Award – Recipient, 2005 Workshop, Falmouth, MA
• Moderator/Host – “Town Meeting” interactive panel, 2007 Workshop, Baltimore, MD; “Interview Panel” interactive panel, 2006 Workshop, Oneonta, NY; “Press Conference Panel” interactive panel, 2005 Workshop, Falmouth, MA; “Crisis Management” panel, 2003 Workshop, Staten Island, NY
• Committee Chair – 2002 Workshop, Lowell, MA. Includes soliciting of convention for the City of Lowell and forming committee. Secured 2002 hotel property and over $1,200 in sponsorship support for 2001 and 2002 workshops. over $12,000 into local economy of City of Lowell during summer of 2002.
• Board Member, Division II Representative – 1999
PRESIDENT
Capital District Sports Women of the Year, Inc.
• Created a program to honor and recognize female student-athletes from colleges and high schools in the region for academic, athletic and community service excellence
• Secured 501©3 status
• Created website: cdswoy.com, including all content
• Invite over 100 high school and 15 college athletic directors to nominate
• Media press conference for selections, sponsored by local restaurant
• Awards creation and sponsor solicitation
• Awards Gala featuring entertainment at a local theatre
• Secure virtual guest speaker for Awards Gala (have featured Tara VanDerveer, Lindsey Jacobellis, Jessica Mendoza and Lisa Bluder) Education – University of New Haven, 1983, B.S. in Communications. Skills - Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Google, Microsoft Explorer, Mac and IBM compatibles. Stat Crew Software for numerous sports. SIDEARM and Presto Sports websites.
Contact this candidate