Meet The SID: Mat Kanan
July 29, 2010
Western Michigan sports information director Mat Kanan gives some background about his life in Kalamazoo, his love of sports and his day-to-day job.
This is part 1 in a 12 part series looking at one of college sports most important positions - the sports information director. This week, WMU's Mat Kanan shares some of his experiences.
1. What is your oldest sports memory?
I went to a Cleveland Browns game with my dad. They were playing the
Cincinnati Bengals and all I remember is it was freezing, I had two snowsuits on,
boots, hats, two pairs of gloves, etc. The seats were in the end zone opposite
the Dawg Pound but it was still awesome.
2. What is your greatest sports memory?
Participating, it would have to be winning a conference championship in
wrestling as a sophomore in high school. It showed me that I belonged and could compete with anyone. In terms of watching sports - both of Jordan's shots against Cleveland. The one in 1989 over Craig Ehlo that everyone remembers. I was on my couch and we were getting ready to go out to dinner but I wanted to see the end of the game and I am glad I didn't miss it. The second "shot" came in a sweep of theCavaliers in 1993 (I believe). Jordan hit the winning jumper from almost the same spot and I was there in person to see it with my dad. Pretty sweet.
3. What made you decide to become a Sports Information Director?
I worked in the SID office as an undergrad at Ohio and enjoyed the different
aspects of the job. After graduation and a stint in the corporate world, I
realized it was the only time I was happy doing what I was doing. I saw it as a
career and not just a job.
4. What is your favorite part about being a SID?
Working with the student-athletes is by far the best. I get to see these
people grow into young men and women. I become friends with them, some of which I will be friends with for a long time. The opportunity to work in some phenomenal venues is also a huge perk. I will be on the field for a game at Notre Dame this fall, not many people can say that.
5. If you could change one thing about your job, what would that be?
I would change the perception that this job is simply compiling stats. Today
it is so much more. An SID needs to be proficient in statistical compilation and
have an historical grasp on the world of sports but he/she must also be
knowledgeable in video production, photography, desktop publishing, writing (of
course), etc. The people in these positions are PR practitioners just in the
athletic world instead of at an agency, a corporation or non-profit organization.
6. What advice would you give to a high school or college student that wanted to become a SID?
I would stress volunteering at area events to gain experience; write as much as
you can; read as much as you can; work for the school paper; work on the yearbook in order to gain page design experience; work on student radio/TV station (if applicable).
7. Many schools no longer print out there media guides, and instead are going to a PDF format. In your opinion, is this a good change or a bad change? Why?
It is an evitable change. Our original audience is the media and we need to
make sure they have the tools necessary to do their jobs. We had PDF guides a
year ago and have now jumped to interactive guides online that show more video, provide links back to our site and are graphically entertaining. Do they help media? No but they are the next step in attracting fans. We still provide a PDF of bios and a record book but with the move away from using media guides for recruiting, the dollars used in printing are needed in other operating areas.
This is not say that other printed materials may not be created in the future but
their purpose may not necessarily be to assist the media. This business is
changing so much right now. It is a world of what information can you get to me
right now? What will catch my attention right now? It's challenging but then
again, what worth doing isn't?
8. Thinking back over your career as an SID, what one story
personifies your job the best?
I would have to say it was one I wrote just this year. It wasn't about a star
student-athlete going for a conference or program record. It wasn't about a team recapturing its championship form. It was about a former walk-on football player who was a back up punter and special teams guy that worked his behind off his entire time at WMU and is now going to go to medical school to be a doctor. Listening to him tell his story and watch his face light up when reliving his experiences as a Division I student-athlete encapsulated why I do what I do.
Check back on Aug. 5 to learn about Bowling Green SID Mike Cihon.
1. What is your oldest sports memory?
I went to a Cleveland Browns game with my dad. They were playing the
Cincinnati Bengals and all I remember is it was freezing, I had two snowsuits on,
boots, hats, two pairs of gloves, etc. The seats were in the end zone opposite
the Dawg Pound but it was still awesome.
2. What is your greatest sports memory?
Participating, it would have to be winning a conference championship in
wrestling as a sophomore in high school. It showed me that I belonged and could compete with anyone. In terms of watching sports - both of Jordan's shots against Cleveland. The one in 1989 over Craig Ehlo that everyone remembers. I was on my couch and we were getting ready to go out to dinner but I wanted to see the end of the game and I am glad I didn't miss it. The second "shot" came in a sweep of theCavaliers in 1993 (I believe). Jordan hit the winning jumper from almost the same spot and I was there in person to see it with my dad. Pretty sweet.
3. What made you decide to become a Sports Information Director?
I worked in the SID office as an undergrad at Ohio and enjoyed the different
aspects of the job. After graduation and a stint in the corporate world, I
realized it was the only time I was happy doing what I was doing. I saw it as a
career and not just a job.
4. What is your favorite part about being a SID?
Working with the student-athletes is by far the best. I get to see these
people grow into young men and women. I become friends with them, some of which I will be friends with for a long time. The opportunity to work in some phenomenal venues is also a huge perk. I will be on the field for a game at Notre Dame this fall, not many people can say that.
5. If you could change one thing about your job, what would that be?
I would change the perception that this job is simply compiling stats. Today
it is so much more. An SID needs to be proficient in statistical compilation and
have an historical grasp on the world of sports but he/she must also be
knowledgeable in video production, photography, desktop publishing, writing (of
course), etc. The people in these positions are PR practitioners just in the
athletic world instead of at an agency, a corporation or non-profit organization.
6. What advice would you give to a high school or college student that wanted to become a SID?
I would stress volunteering at area events to gain experience; write as much as
you can; read as much as you can; work for the school paper; work on the yearbook in order to gain page design experience; work on student radio/TV station (if applicable).
7. Many schools no longer print out there media guides, and instead are going to a PDF format. In your opinion, is this a good change or a bad change? Why?
It is an evitable change. Our original audience is the media and we need to
make sure they have the tools necessary to do their jobs. We had PDF guides a
year ago and have now jumped to interactive guides online that show more video, provide links back to our site and are graphically entertaining. Do they help media? No but they are the next step in attracting fans. We still provide a PDF of bios and a record book but with the move away from using media guides for recruiting, the dollars used in printing are needed in other operating areas.
This is not say that other printed materials may not be created in the future but
their purpose may not necessarily be to assist the media. This business is
changing so much right now. It is a world of what information can you get to me
right now? What will catch my attention right now? It's challenging but then
again, what worth doing isn't?
8. Thinking back over your career as an SID, what one story
personifies your job the best?
I would have to say it was one I wrote just this year. It wasn't about a star
student-athlete going for a conference or program record. It wasn't about a team recapturing its championship form. It was about a former walk-on football player who was a back up punter and special teams guy that worked his behind off his entire time at WMU and is now going to go to medical school to be a doctor. Listening to him tell his story and watch his face light up when reliving his experiences as a Division I student-athlete encapsulated why I do what I do.
Check back on Aug. 5 to learn about Bowling Green SID Mike Cihon.