FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Steve Conn, a seasoned sports communications specialist, has joined Sacred Heart University’s athletics department as senior associate athletic director for communications. In this position, Conn will oversee all strategic communications, marketing and promotional efforts for SHU’s intercollegiate, athletic and spirit teams.
“I love being a small part of the athletic teams and helping the coaches and student-athletes succeed,” Conn said. “Finding the unique stories about individuals on the teams helps promote the programs, and it’s one of the fun aspects of working in communications.”
Over the course of 35 years, Conn rose through the ranks at Yale University’s sports department, serving as associate athletics director and director of sports publicity for most of his time there. Conn worked primarily with the hockey, football, lacrosse and heavyweight crew teams, as well as fulfilling his role as a senior administrator. At times, he broadcasted games and mentored students, many of whom went on to careers in sports and media. Conn was also a student adviser and fellow at Yale’s Morse College.
In addition to Conn’s work on campus and traveling with Yale teams, he assisted the NCAA with numerous post-season events. He helped run the Frozen Four, Final Four, hockey and golf regional championships and lacrosse national championships. He also was on Yale’s support staff for national championships in hockey (2013), lacrosse (2018), heavyweight crew (2017-2019) and sailing (2022).
“I am thrilled to welcome Steve to our team,” said Judy Ann Riccio, SHU’s athletic director. “We look forward to leaning into his communications expertise to help tell the story of our Pioneers.”
Throughout the years, Conn became familiar with SHU, the quality of student-athletes and the type of sports programming the University offers. He was especially impressed with SHU’s recent growth, including the Martire Family Arena’s development.
Conn watched a drone video of the arena’s construction and was awed by the expansive, sophisticated facility being built. “I was blown away by the fly-through video of the arena and am excited about working in that facility,” Conn said. “We all want to work together as a team to make that arena the best venue in which to play and watch college hockey games.”
He played baseball and basketball in high school and then attended the University of Miami, where he graduated in 1985. As a student, he experienced unsuccessful walk-on attempts in football and baseball, after which he became a publicity intern and broadcaster for both of those national championship teams.
College sports is ingrained in Conn, who finds his job in communications rewarding and exciting. He said he looks forward to meeting and getting to know SHU’s coaches and student-athletes.
“I relish the opportunity to continue helping student-athletes promote their brands, while also serving as an adviser in a variety of ways,” Conn said. “SHU is growing, and my goal is to help showcase the great stories and provide quality details for the media while promoting the SHU brand.”
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About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 387 Colleges–2022 Edition, “Best Northeastern” and Best Business Schools–2022 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu