University of Delaware Athletics Announces Hiring of Jimmy Smith as First Director of Multimedia
July 20, 2011
NEWARK, Del. -- Jimmy Smith has been named Director of Multimedia for the University of Delaware athletics department, Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations Stacey Bunting-Thompson has announced.
Smith (at right) will oversee all day-to-day digital, new, and multimedia efforts for the University of Delaware Athletics Department, including UD social network outlets such as Twitter and Facebook. He will also produce, edit, and distribute new video content including weekly athletics segments, and exclusive interviews, recaps, features, promotions, and highlights for the website www.bluehens.com. Smith will also serve as the Athletics liaison to the University’s Office of Communications and Marketing for all multimedia matters.
"Jimmy's experience and expertise will enhance the marketing efforts for UD athletics and recreation services and support the University's external communication efforts," said David Brond, vice president for communications and marketing.
“We are very pleased to have Jimmy join us in this position at Delaware,” said Bunting-Thompson. “The role of multimedia in our industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the last several years and continues to change every day. Having Jimmy here to focus on the development of these initiatives, growing our efforts and increasing the avenues available to tell the stories of our incredible young people is invaluable to the athletics program.”
Smith earned his degree in journalism with a specialization in sports administration and sports marketing with honors from Ohio University in 2008 and his master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in sports administration and sports marketing from Delta (Miss.) State this past June.
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity to be a part of an incredible athletic program and prestigious university,” said Smith. “The University of Delaware has incredible people and amazing support and this is a dream job. I’m looking forward to expanding the video content for the UD athletics website and telling all the great stories surrounding Blue Hen athletics."
A native of Sagamore Hills, Ohio, Smith spent the last two years at NCAA Division II Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. where he served as Director of New Media & Multi-Media and Sports Information Graduate Assistant. He handled play-by-play and color commentary for Delta State football, basketball, baseball radio broadcasts, hosted a weekly magazine-style television show “Statesman Insider”, coordinated the use of social networking websites, created marketing campaigns using digital media, and edited video, audio, and images for use on the Delta State athletics website Gostatesmen.com.
He also served as sports information media contact for nationally-ranked swimming and baseball programs and edited the 2010 Delta State Baseball Media Guide and the 2009-10 Swimming Media Guide that were both named Best in the Nation Division II by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
While at Ohio University, Smith served as sports director at WXTQ and WATH radio stations in Athens, Ohio, directing daily sports coverage and programming, providing play-by-play and color commentary for Athens area high school events, and hosting a nightly talk show.
He also served as Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Ohio University ice hockey club during the 2008-09 season and provided play-by-play and color commentary for all home and road games as well as conducting pre-game and post-game interviews. He also had the opportunity to broadcast the 2009 American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I National Championship Tournament.
Smith will reside in Newark with his family.
