In the world of public relations there are many different areas a student can enter when graduating. Sports PR is the section of public relations that is for people who not only love to write and love sports, but love to celebrate victories on and off the field.

Charles Bloom, Associate commissioner for media relations for the Southeastern Conference came to speak to Auburn University students April 8, 2009. During his speech he gave a brief glimpse at what working in sports public relations is like.

Bloom works at the conference level so his experience is much different than someone that would just be working for an individual school such as Auburn University. But, Bloom was able to tell about his experience when he was working at the institution level for sports PR.

People have to be able to appreciate public victories on the field or court as well as private victories. Private victories are in the classroom and are achieved through promoting and assisting the student athlete.

Only one percent of all student athletes go to play professional sports said Bloom. So it’s very important that when working in sports PR especially college you take pride in student achievements and their accomplishments both on and off the field.

Bloom said at the conference level when hiring employees they look for people who “come ready to play.” They need to show proficiency and skills they need to have for the job. He says students should get involved and get real experience in PR if they can. Bloom is the president elect for 2010 for the Public Relations Society of America for Alabama so he encouraged getting involved in public relations programs on campus or in the community.

There are many different applications of sports public relations Bloom says. Media Relations is a very important angle that has changed as technology changes. PR agents develop stories and pitch ideas to promote the student athletes to the media.

Television and Radio contracts are also an important aspect of sports PR. As the social networks and the media affect PR, PR professionals must learn how to educate their athletes on the hazards of social media.

Messages can be sent out in many ways, institutions can push out messages through their own PR departments; marketing offices can also push tickets, themes or campaigns. PR specialist for individual institutions must also deal with coordinating interviews for the athletes.

Customer Relations is another aspect Bloom mentioned. In sports there will always be some sort of customer relations issues that can arise.

Bloom said the NCAA has a very proactive PR department and they strongly promote student academics , equality, sportsmanship, hard work and the lessons the athletes learn from sports.

Stephanie Millhouse a senior in public relations says she really enjoyed Bloom’s speech. She says she probably won’t go into Sports PR but it definitely interests her. Millhouse learned that her Survey Methods class she is currently in will definitely help her in any PR field she enters after graduation.

Bloom says “I have a great job,” when a student asks what his favorite aspect is. Blooms says he loves making inter-collegiate athletics a better place and feeling like he’s a part of the progress.



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