FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University has hired Michael Smoose as director of athletic communications & marketing.
In this new role, Smoose will oversee all communication and promotional efforts for SHU’s Division I athletic programs and report into the University’s marketing & communications division. He will serve as the primary media contact for athletics, as SHU looks to increase its national coverage. He will also supervise broadcast and media coverage, oversee the athletics’ website and social media accounts and manage promotional efforts for all aspects of Pioneer athletics.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to join the Sacred Heart University family,” Smoose said. “One of the things that drew me to the position was Sacred Heart’s tremendous overall growth and their commitment to athletics. There are several great stories to be told about the accomplishments of Sacred Heart’s student-athletes, coaches and staff and I can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to not only growing the athletics’ brand, but also increasing the University’s visibility as a whole.”
Prior to joining SHU, Smoose worked in athletics for 20 years at various universities. Most recently, he was interim director of athletics at Johnson & Wales University’s Denver, CO, campus, after serving as associate director of athletics at Johnson & Wales’ Providence, RI, campus. Before that, he was assistant director of athletics for external relations at Armstrong State University in Savannah, GA. He also worked in the athletics department at Florida State and Northern Illinois Universities.
“We couldn’t be more excited for Michael to join the University,” said Bill Haug, chief marketing officer. “His knowledge and experience, along with the University’s communications, digital content and media strategy plans, will help elevate SHU’s athletic programs across the board. Michael is a key component to ensuring SHU athletics are on the national stage.”
Smoose earned his master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University and his bachelor’s degree in sports science from Ohio 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 more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg 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; 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 386 Colleges–2021 Edition, “Best in the Northeast” and Best Business Schools–2020 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 theater. www.sacredheart.edu