MANSFIELD, PA– Dr. Charles Patterson, President of Mansfield University, has elevated Sports Information Director Ryan McNamara to the role of Director of Marketing and Communications for the university.
In the new role, McNamara will guide the university’s strategic messaging and branding efforts to promote and publicize the Mansfield’s overall mission.
“It has been the thrill of a lifetime to work in the Mansfield Athletic Department alongside the most exceptional student-athletes, coaches, and administrators in the country,” said McNamara. “I’ll forever cherish the memories made and the friendships that were created through covering Mountaineer sports programs.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to tell the story of this great university and I look forward to helping Mansfield continue its positive growth and success as a leader in higher education.”
McNamara oversaw the promotion and coverage of Mansfield’s 13 varsity athletic programs as Sports Information Director since the spring of 2017. He joined the sports information staff in 2010, where he worked under CoSIDA Hall of Fame member Steve McCloskey. He was made a full-time assistant in 2012.
McNamara was named President of the PSAC Sports Information Directors in 2019 following a two-year stint as the group’s Vice President. He was also a member of the PSAC Streaming Committee and the ECAC Division II Awards Committee.
He oversaw the research and implementation of the athletic rebranding project and launched the Mountie All-Access live streaming video platform with Assistant Sports Information Director Drew Patrick. He created Mansfield’s athletic social media accounts, which rank first in the state of Pennsylvania among 23 NCAA Division II universities according to the D2 Social Media Index. In 2016, McNamara was presented with a Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Award by CoSIDA in the District 2 event category.
Several of McNamara’s former student-assistants and interns have gone on to accept positions in the athletic communications industry.
The Blossburg, Pa. native earned his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University in 2010 before earning a master’s in communication – marketing & new media from Southern New Hampshire University in 2018.
Plans to fill the Sports Information Director role are in place and an announcement will be forthcoming.