Open To Work
Peter J. Holehan
Saratoga Springs,NY
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic communications leader with a strong track record in sports information and strategic media relations. Successfully hosted high-profile NCAA events and enhanced social media presence by over 47%, significantly boosting fan engagement. Expertise in content creation, team collaboration, and developing relationships with media to maximize program visibility.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Sports Information Director
Siena University
Loudonville, New York
01.2023 - Current
- Host and coordinated the NCAA 2023 Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds and the 2024 NCAA Women's Basketball Sweet 16 and Elite Rounds at MVP Center in Albany, NY
- Hosted and coordinated of the 2024 MAAC Volleyball Tournament and the 2026 MAAC Men's Lacrosse Semifinals and Championship
- Cultivated media relations for athletic events and programs, enhancing visibility and engagement.
- Developed and maintained content for official sports website SienaSaints.com and social media on "X", Facebook, YouTube and Instagram
- Collaborated with coaches to promote team achievements and stories.
- Provided training for student volunteers on media protocols and responsibilities.
- Monitored media coverage and analyzed public relations impact, informing strategic communication decisions.
- Reported real-time pre- and post-game coverage of sporting events.
- Drove stronger approaches to sports coverage, memorable enterprise and agile service journalism.
- Expanded digital footprint for news operations.
- Collaborated with sports reporters to generate new story ideas.
- Oversaw distribution of press credentials prior to each event; monitored credential usage throughout the duration of competition.
- Composed articles on team updates and individual athlete successes to be included in university publications.
- Organized interviews and photo shoots for student-athletes featured in publications or broadcast programs.
- Generated statistics reports during game broadcasts; utilized StatCrew software to compile box scores and play-by-play data after each contest.
- Established relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets to effectively promote the University's sports teams.
- Edited video clips from past games and events for use on social media platforms or other promotional materials.
- Managed the department's social media accounts to communicate with fans, alumni and potential recruits.
- Earned the Fred Stabley Jr. writing award by the College Sports Communications for coverage of the Saints' 2023 MAAC Men's Tennis Championship team
Insurance Agent
Aflac
Saratoga Springs, NY
08.2020 - 12.2022
- Delivered financial security to clients during critical times through life insurance, accident, cancer, vision, and dental insurance.
- Ranked third in the New York-North / Vermont Region for the most accounts opened for the fiscal years 2021 and 2022
- Evaluated customer needs efficiently during service interactions to provide tailored solutions.
- Addressed customer requests and inquiries to enhance overall satisfaction.
Assistant Sports Information Director
NEAC
Latham, New York
01.2020 - 06.2020
- Implemented innovative strategies for sports coverage, resulting in impactful storytelling and responsive journalism.
- Created and updated content for official sports website and social media, enhancing fan engagement.
- Coordinated statistical data collection and distribution during events, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Monitored daily sporting events and issues to discuss and report pertinent news.
Sports Writer
Post-Star
Glens Falls, New York
07.2019 - 11.2019
- Reported real-time pre- and post-game coverage of sporting events.
- Compiled and analyzed statistical data to support in-depth sports coverage.
- Wrote feature articles showcasing achievements of athletes and teams, engaging readers with compelling narratives.
- Collaborated with editors to ensure timely delivery of content pieces.
- Created concise, factual news stories using reliable sources to inform and captivate audiences.
Sports Writer
Times-Union
Albany, NY
02.2019 - 05.2019
- Researched and wrote engaging articles on local and national sports events, enhancing community awareness and interest.
- Conducted interviews with athletes, coaches, and sports officials, uncovering unique insights for feature stories.
- Covered live sporting events, delivering real-time updates and analysis to keep audiences informed and engaged.
Director of Communications
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Birmingham, AL
01.2017 - 02.2019
- Driving force behind a vibrant communications department and all conference public relations including fostering strategic relationships with news media outlets, professional scouts, internal stakeholders, and members of the general public to facilitate information exchange for a wide range of sports programs and events.
- Succeeded in boosting the conference's social media following for Twitter by over 8K (a 47 percent increase), likes on Facebook by 5K+ (a 22 percent increase), and 3K+ on Instagram (an 85 percent increase), in two years.
- Played a key role in 'All Things SWAC' receiving over 1.9M page views on the SWAC.org website over the last year as the primary contributor and site administrator.
- Significantly expanded the SWAC Digital Network's live streaming coverage to encompass an average of over 25 games, championships, and events per academic season supported by the conference's official website.
- Coordinated media and business events, including SWAC Football Media Day and championship press conferences, ensuring successful execution and visibility.
- Represented SWAC programming as the key liaison with the ESPN family of networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU).
- Orchestrated website redesign from Neulion to Sidearm Sports in July 2018, enhancing user experience and improving connections with member institutions for statistical database.
Interim Sports Information Director
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
Montgomery, AL
10.2016 - 12.2016
- Led Sports Information Department overseeing highest revenue sports, including football and men's basketball.
- Spearheaded initiatives that increased social media outreach by 62% in two academic years, significantly enhancing fan engagement.
- Managed media relations for Alabama State University athletics programs.
- Coordinated game day operations and media access for sporting events.
- Developed press releases and promotional materials for athletic teams.
Sports Information Staff Associate
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
Montgomery, AL
08.2014 - 10.2016
- Served as key media liaison, submitting information to local news outlets for university athletic programs.
- Developed and published over 500 articles/press releases on bamastatesports.com as lead media relations contact for Soccer, Volleyball, and Softball; also supported media relations for 15 other sports.
- Represented sport programs as the 'Voice' for social media platforms and as a public address announcer.
- Updated record books and designed media guides for Women's Volleyball, Soccer, and Softball teams using TAS Stat Crew software.
Assistant Sports Information Director
STATE UNIVERSITY - NY POTSDAM
Potsdam, NY
08.2013 - 07.2014
- Coordinated sports information operations, including video equipment for event live streaming, scorekeeping, and designed programs, game stories, and interviews using Adobe Creative Suite, while updating PotsdamBears.com.
- Wrote 300+ articles/press releases in one academic season to promote the Soccer, Men's & Women's Hockey, and Women's Basketball & Softball programs across traditional, digital, and social media platforms.
- Acted as secondary media relations contact for 12 sports, enhancing visibility and coverage for teams such as cross country, golf, and men's basketball.
Sport Videographer
SUNY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Utica, NY
01.2013 - 05.2013
- Created five engaging video highlight packages for athletics program website, enhancing online presence and audience engagement.
- Captured high-quality video footage of athletic events for educational purposes.
- Operated video equipment during live sports broadcasts and events.
- Edited video content to highlight key moments and player performances.
Sportswriter
TIMES UNION NEWSPAPER
Albany, NY
08.2012 - 12.2012
- Freelanced for Times Union, covering sports topics including Albany Devils AHL Ice Hockey team, RPI, University of Albany, Union College, and local high schools, providing in-depth analysis and engaging storytelling.
- Featured on front page of sports section five times with unique articles, enhancing visibility and readership for local sports narratives.
- Researched and wrote articles on local and national sports events.
- Conducted interviews with athletes, coaches, and sports professionals.
- Collaborated with editors to refine article content and structure.
Sportswriter
SUN SENTINEL NEWSPAPER
Fort Lauderdale, FL
01.2004 - 06.2012
- Award-winning journalist for what was a top-35 newspaper in circulation nationwide with over 260K subscribers.
- Crafted 1,500+ articles on 40 sports, including feature pieces for front page, and conducted interviews with sports icons like Dwayne Wade and Venus Williams.
- Two-time award-winning Sports Journalist for the paper: Sunshine Award for First Place in Breaking Sports Reporting, Society of Professional Journalists; Media Organization of the Year (2004/05), Special Olympics for the State of Florida.
- Coverage encompassed over 100 schools throughout Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
- Supervised High School Sports Department of six desk clerks and over a dozen field reporters, managing coverage for high school sports season and 'Friday Night Lights' football beat.
- Influenced strategic planning for Sports Department, including special coverage issues, 'All-County' sections, and social media initiatives.
Education
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - JOURNALISM/PUBLIC RELATIONS
Utica College of Syracuse University
Utica, NY01-2003
Skills
- Athletic Communications
- Media relations
- Event Planning & Management
- Event coordination
- Social Media Marketing
- Strategic Communications
- Digital Media Management
- Content management
- Writing and editing
- Interviews & Feature Articles
- Operations Management
- Strategic Planning
- Team leadership
- Staff development
- Time management
- Problem solving
- Team collaboration
Accomplishments
- Fred Stabley Jr. Writing Award by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 2023
- Sunshine Award for First Place in Breaking Sports Reporting, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) 2011
- Media Organization of the Year (2004/05), Special Olympics for the State of Florida.
Timeline
Assistant Sports Information Director
Siena University
01.2023 - Current
Insurance Agent
Aflac
08.2020 - 12.2022
Assistant Sports Information Director
NEAC
01.2020 - 06.2020
Sports Writer
Post-Star
07.2019 - 11.2019
Sports Writer
Times-Union
02.2019 - 05.2019
Director of Communications
SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
01.2017 - 02.2019
Interim Sports Information Director
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
10.2016 - 12.2016
Sports Information Staff Associate
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY
08.2014 - 10.2016
Assistant Sports Information Director
STATE UNIVERSITY - NY POTSDAM
08.2013 - 07.2014
Sport Videographer
SUNY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
01.2013 - 05.2013
Sportswriter
TIMES UNION NEWSPAPER
08.2012 - 12.2012
Sportswriter
SUN SENTINEL NEWSPAPER
01.2004 - 06.2012
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - JOURNALISM/PUBLIC RELATIONS
Utica College of Syracuse University