This article, written by retired South Carolina State SID Bill Hamilton, appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of CoSIDA 360. Click here to view the full issue, and click here as well.


When my alma mater, South Carolina State University, gave me — a young, recent college graduate — my first title as as a public information specialist in July of 1973, I never envisioned it would lead to a career in a profession that I have found both enjoyable and rewarding.

I felt my hiring some 47 years ago would be a stepping stone to someplace else; however, it turned into a lifelong vocation. I retired (transition might be a better word) in 2013 but returned to the office four days a week as a part-time employee and later as a volunteer. I remain engaged with the university today, assisting with several sports and special projects.

I began my career in the public relations office as there was no sports information department at the time. Two years later, in 1975, I was named the first full-time sports information director at the university, but continued to work out of the Public Relations Office, sharing a secretary, which came under the Vice President for Institutional Advancement umbrella.

Front the beginning, I enjoyed telling the SC State story, promoting the sports program. Today, I’m especially excited and grateful that I’m allowed to stay engaged as I enjoy the interaction with players, coaches, other SC State stakeholders and many colleagues throughout the profession. I embraced the job and never seriously considered changing professions.

Early in my career, athletic teams at the university enjoyed enormous success and as a one-person shop there was great demand on my time. However, I was single, without a care in the world and had no aversion to working long hours and traveling. The pay was not great but I was able to make do. Even today, I think people in our profession are underpaid; however, the perks that came with the position helped.

I got married in 1983 and family life and work became a juggling act. Somehow I persevered, relying heavily on students. I was fortunate in finding good, dedicated and committed students, who were quick learners. My late wife and I didn’t have any children so she was able to join me on some road trips, making things a little more palatable to her.

In the early 90s, I physically moved to the Athletics Department, answering directly to the director of athletics and was given my own budget. In 2001, after 28 years, I got my first full-time assistant. A second was added two years later. Life became a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Our profession is often times a thankless one. So many do not know what we do until something is not done or goes wrong. It’s important to not get discouraged. I often engaged my boss about raises, bonuses, assistants and any tools that would help me do a better job. Many times, the response was surprising and positive.