BALTIMORE -- Rob Knox, the Sports Information Director at Coppin State University, has been invited to speak at the upcoming NCAA Division III Institute for Administrative Advancement taking place May 19-20 in Atlanta.
Knox is a former CoSIDA Board of Directors member and recipient of the 2011 CoSIDA Rising Star Award for the college division. He will conduct a one-hour discussion and Q&A session on "Personal Branding and Effective Communication" at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20 at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta.
Knox also is a past president of the Black College Sports Information Directors' Association (BC-SIDA).
The CoSIDA leadership was contacted by NCAA Inclusion and Leadership Development Department officials and asked to recommend a presenter for the Institute. Rob, based on his vast experience and leadership in the organization, was recommended for the speaking engagement.
The Division III Institute for Administrative Advancement provides professional development and networking opportunities for under-represented populations in Division III athletics. This effort is a partnership between the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA).
It provides the selected participants with a unique experience to learn more about themselves as administrators, gain additional skills and tools to grow within their current roles and leave better prepared to advance into more senior administrative roles within Division III, if desired.
Most importantly, participation in the DIII Institute encourages mentorship to the next generation of administrators and coaches of color who will consider Division III as their professional destination. Currently, the Division III membership is lagging behind its counterparts from the other divisions in the representation of ethnic minorities and steps such as the incorporation of the Division III Institute for Administrative Advancement are positive ones.
"As someone who started my athletic career in NCAA Division III, I am excited to share my experiences and speak on personal and professional communication and branding with this group of hard-working administrators who are committed to professional development and to their student-athletes," Knox said. "I look forward to sharing ideas. I am tremendously humbled by the opportunity to represent CoSIDA during this presentation."
Completing his first year as Coppin State SID, Knox has over 15 years of experience in athletic communications, TV and newspaper communications work to his position.
Before arriving at Coppin State, Knox worked for two years at ESPN's Bristol, Connecticut Statistics & Analysis department. Among his day to day duties were planning and overseeing nightly production, supervising seven direct reports and revising schedules to adjust to major sports developments under real-time deadline pressure.
In addition, he was responsible for editing content targeted for studio television, traditional digital and mobile audiences as well as ensuring the integrity of data being processed by the Stats & Analysis group. He assisted with the Stats and Analysis' college basketball coverage, data-tracking for the 2012 and 2013 NCAA men's basketball tournament.
Prior to working at ESPN, Knox served in athletic communications at his alma mater Lincoln University for five years (2004-09) and then for two years at Kutztown University. Before that, he was a full-time sports reporter for the Delaware County Daily Times for five years.
He helped Lincoln with its transition from Division III to Division II by assisting campus administrators on communications matters. He also promoted the 2006 Division III Men's Basketball Playerof the Year (Kyle Myrick), a 2007 NCAA Woman of the Year Award finalist (Ashley Parker), and had student-athletes featured in Sports Illustrated and on the ESPN "NFL Films Presents" series.
At Kutztown, Knox successful promoted men's basketball athlete Stephen Dennis who earned Division II Player of the Year honors.
Knox's other individual awards included receiving two CoSIDA Fred Stabley, Jr. Writing Contest awards and being the 2008 recipient of the "Raising the Bar" award from Lincoln's VP for Student Affairs.
Knox earned a bachelor's of science degree in journalism from Lincoln. He is married to Trudell Knox and they are the proud parents of a 3-year old son, Robert, IV ('RJ").