Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University Athletics Unifies External Communication
10/14/2020 1:13:00 PM | General
Sparks Promoted to Lead Division
Miami University Director of Athletics David Sayler announced the formal creation and unification of Athletics Communications and Marketing.
Â
The effort combines Miami's Broadcasting, Communications and Marketing areas into one division. The new unit has been created in an effort to more effectively utilize human and financial resources, to modernize operations, streamline efficiencies and better mirror the University's vision for marketing and communications. Ultimately, the combination will provide the opportunity for greater synergy and strategy to reach Miami fans, and will better support Miami student-athletes, coaches and University staff.
Â
Lindsay Sparks has been promoted to lead the division. She will continue to serve as an assistant athletic director, and will also become the Chief Athletic Marketing and Communications Officer.
Â
"I am pleased to enhance our departmental structure and consolidate our resources to be more effective and efficient in ways to reach our fans, and, ultimately, support our student-athletes and coaches," said Sayler. "Lindsay Sparks has been a great addition to our staff since joining us in 2016. She is a collaborative partner with those in the community and on campus. Her depth of experience in fan management, revenue generation, student partnership and marketing strategy made her the perfect person to run this unit."
Â
Sparks will oversee a unit that now more closely mirrors University Marketing and Communications, featuring four areas: External Communication; ICA News, Data and Communication; Digital Media; and Production. These areas will be run by Associate Director Angie Redlinger, Assistant AD Dave Meyer and Assistant AD Steve Baker.
Â
"It is an honor to be able to lead this new unit through David Sayler's vision and direction. We have a team that is passionate and striving daily for our mission of Graduating Champions and executing our strategic plan. We have already seen positive results with this new team and I am excited to continue to work towards growing our broadcasting, communication and marketing efforts and strategy for engagement with our fans and supporting student-athletes, coaches and staff."Â
Â
Prior to Miami, Sparks spent five years at the University of South Dakota, where she served as the Director of Transitions and Student Programming for the Student Services office. There, Sparks collaborated with a number of departments across campus with the mission of providing activities and experiences for students as they transition into college. This involved articulating and implementing a vision and annual goals for the transitions and programming areas within Student Services that create intentional co-circular programming opportunities for students that aid in retention.
During this time period, Sparks was also a member of the USD Fan Participation Committee, a group tasked with finding engaging ways to encourage increased student attendance at USD events, particularly athletics.
Â
Sparks earned her bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Indiana in 2006. In 2010, she received her master's degree in psychology from Northern Michigan.
Â
Â
The effort combines Miami's Broadcasting, Communications and Marketing areas into one division. The new unit has been created in an effort to more effectively utilize human and financial resources, to modernize operations, streamline efficiencies and better mirror the University's vision for marketing and communications. Ultimately, the combination will provide the opportunity for greater synergy and strategy to reach Miami fans, and will better support Miami student-athletes, coaches and University staff.
Â
Lindsay Sparks has been promoted to lead the division. She will continue to serve as an assistant athletic director, and will also become the Chief Athletic Marketing and Communications Officer.
Â
"I am pleased to enhance our departmental structure and consolidate our resources to be more effective and efficient in ways to reach our fans, and, ultimately, support our student-athletes and coaches," said Sayler. "Lindsay Sparks has been a great addition to our staff since joining us in 2016. She is a collaborative partner with those in the community and on campus. Her depth of experience in fan management, revenue generation, student partnership and marketing strategy made her the perfect person to run this unit."
Â
Sparks will oversee a unit that now more closely mirrors University Marketing and Communications, featuring four areas: External Communication; ICA News, Data and Communication; Digital Media; and Production. These areas will be run by Associate Director Angie Redlinger, Assistant AD Dave Meyer and Assistant AD Steve Baker.
Â
"It is an honor to be able to lead this new unit through David Sayler's vision and direction. We have a team that is passionate and striving daily for our mission of Graduating Champions and executing our strategic plan. We have already seen positive results with this new team and I am excited to continue to work towards growing our broadcasting, communication and marketing efforts and strategy for engagement with our fans and supporting student-athletes, coaches and staff."Â
Â
Prior to Miami, Sparks spent five years at the University of South Dakota, where she served as the Director of Transitions and Student Programming for the Student Services office. There, Sparks collaborated with a number of departments across campus with the mission of providing activities and experiences for students as they transition into college. This involved articulating and implementing a vision and annual goals for the transitions and programming areas within Student Services that create intentional co-circular programming opportunities for students that aid in retention.
During this time period, Sparks was also a member of the USD Fan Participation Committee, a group tasked with finding engaging ways to encourage increased student attendance at USD events, particularly athletics.
Â
Sparks earned her bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Indiana in 2006. In 2010, she received her master's degree in psychology from Northern Michigan.
Â
RedHawk Rewind Episode 26: Tommy Harrison
Tuesday, April 07
Miami Women's Basketball Head Coach Glenn Box, Amber Tretter & Ilse de Vries 3-21 Postgame
Sunday, March 22
Miami Women's Basketball Tamar Singer March Madness Practice Mic'd Up
Saturday, March 21
Miami Women's Basketball Head Coach Glenn Box & Players 3-20 March Madness Press Conference
Saturday, March 21