This event features invited speakers who have expertise in sport communications and social media strategy using a moderated panel and small breakout-session format. During the moderated panel discussion, guest speakers will share their career trajectory, professional insights, and best practices on communications and/or social media strategy within their unique professional role. Program panelists have diverse professional backgrounds in athletics (e.g., coaching, administration, business) across competitive levels to offer meaningful, contextually relevant advice. Following the moderated panel, attendees will be able to connect with each invited speaker in a more close-knit group to build their knowledge and skills for practical application.

Panelists:

Sarah Kirkpatrick Ryan: Sarah Kirkpatrick Ryan enters her seventh year in the Athletic Communications Department at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., in 2024-25. She is currently the primary media contact for the five-time defending Patriot League Champion Holy Cross football team and has worked with professional draft picks (MLB, WNBA, NFL) and signees, All-Americans and Academic All-Americans, Conference Players of the Year, and other high-level award winners. Kirkpatrick Ryan joined the Holy Cross staff in October 2018 after spending two years as the coordinator of athletic communications at American International College in Springfield, Mass. She received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a focus in Gender Studies from Boston University in 2016. She is a member of the College Sports Communicators (CSC) and Football Writers Association of America, also serving on the CSC Inclusion Committee.

Brian Magoffin ’05, G’17: Brian Magoffin is the director of strategic athletic communications/coordinator of college media relations at Springfield College. In 2016, Magoffin earned the role of assistant athletic director for communications and transitioned to the director of strategic athletic communications and coordinator of college media relations in 2023. Springfield College’s rise among the social media ranks has been rapid over the past several years, with the Pride’s social media accounts ranking among the best at the NCAA Division III level as a result of Magoffin’s leadership. Prior to his tenure at Springfield College, Magoffin spent two years as assistant director of athletic communications at Stony Brook University. Magoffin earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management in 2005 and a master’s in Athletic Administration in 2017 from Springfield College.

Jenn Thomas ’14: Jenn Thomas is the women’s lacrosse head coach at Springfield College. She has extensive years of head coaching experience at the collegiate level. Prior to returning to Springfield College, Thomas was the head women’s lacrosse coach at Johnson & Wales University and Western Connecticut State University. In her two-year stint at Johnson & Wales University, she was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2022, and led the Wildcats to an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Thomas graduated from Springfield College in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.

Emily Sedgwick: Emily Sedgwick is the social media manager and video content producer at Milton Academy and girls’ varsity soccer assistant coach. She is a seasoned marketing strategist with a passion for empowering brands through digital innovation. Having spent more than a decade navigating the ever-evolving landscape of social media and digital marketing, she has honed her skills in crafting compelling narratives and driving tangible results. As the founder of em + em marketing, Sedgwick has helped countless clients build strong brands, engage their audiences, and drive growth. By combining strategic thinking with creative execution, she has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results. Drawing on her own experiences as an athlete, she understands the power of personal branding and importance of leveraging social media to connect with fans and followers. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, sport professional, or small business owner, Sedgwick helps clients achieve their goals.

This event is free and open to the Springfield College community and the public.
For more information, contact Jill Kochanek, director of the Athletic Leadership master’s program, at jkochanek@springfield.edu.

Launched in spring 2011, the Athletic Leadership Series is presented by the Athletic Leadership Master’s Program.

A Wellness Passport Event