Salvatore D'Onofrio
New York
Summary
Results-driven athletic communications professional specializing in media relations, strategic storytelling, and digital content creation for NCAA Division I athletics. As the youngest Football Sports Information Director in the Coastal Athletic Association, successfully managed communications efforts during one of the most significant turnarounds in the FCS while securing coverage from major outlets including ESPN, NBC News, CBS Sports, and SNY. Proven ability to grow audiences, elevate brands, and create engaging content, generating more than 38 million impressions and a 350% increase in key social media metrics.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook
06.2024 - Current
- Primary communications contact for the Stony Brook football, baseball, tennis, and swimming programs while supporting communications initiatives across all 19 NCAA Division I varsity sports.
- Contributed to Stony Brook football's social media growth, helping generate more than 38 million impressions and 1.1 million engagements through content creation and social media management, resulting in a 350% increase in key performance metrics.
- Secured media coverage from major outlets including NBC News, ESPN, CBS Sports, SNY, and News 12, elevating Stony Brook's profile and attracting broader audience engagement.
- Covered largest turnaround in FCS during 2025 season as youngest football Sports Information Director in Coastal Athletic Association, contributing to program visibility and recognition.
- Managed and trained student staff in Stony Brook Athletics Communications Department, enhancing team capabilities and supporting overall communications goals.
- Coordinated media relations, game-day operations, statistics, press releases, feature stories, and digital content for multiple NCAA Division I programs.
- Assisted with recruiting, alumni relations, NIL initiatives, and other operational efforts supporting program growth and success.
Athletic Communications Assistant
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook
09.2022 - 06.2024
- Managed media relations and communications for baseball, women's basketball, women's soccer, and tennis programs, supporting engagement across all 19 NCAA Division I varsity sports.
- Contributed to Stony Brook women's basketball and baseball social media growth, helping generate more than 21 million impressions and 3.2 million engagements through content creation and social media management, resulting in a 322% increase in key performance metrics.
- Traveled with athletic programs to provide communications support, media relations, content creation, and event coverage.
- Coordinated interviews, press conferences, and media requests as the primary media liaison for programs.
- Created engaging photo, video, graphic, and written content for university websites and social media platforms to enhance audience reach.
- Analyzed social media metrics and audience trends to optimize content strategy and improve engagement.
- Facilitated the planning and execution of campus events, game-day operations, and community outreach initiatives.
Athletic Communications Assistant
New Jersey City University Gothic Knight Athletics
Jersey City
10.2021 - 09.2022
- Served as primary media contact for baseball, men's basketball, women's soccer, tennis, and track & field, overseeing media relations, social media strategy, and communications initiatives.
- Managed social media accounts and created photo, video, graphic, and written content to promote student-athletes, teams, and department initiatives.
- Coordinated media relations, game-day operations, team travel logistics, and communications coverage while traveling with athletic programs.
- Compiled and maintained live statistics using NCAA-approved statistical software for multiple sports.
- Produced game notes, press releases, feature stories, and other communications materials for assigned programs.
- Evaluated social media metrics and audience trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize content strategy.
- Maintained record books, student-athlete biographies, website content, historical archives, and social media channels.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of the annual "Gothic Knights" awards ceremony celebrating student-athlete achievements.
Communication Intern
American Junior Golf Association
Braselton
05.2021 - 10.2021
- .Generated engaging weekly content for national sponsors and brands like Adidas and TaylorMade across social media platforms.
- Conducted interviews with PGA TOUR pros, AJGA juniors, and sponsors to capture insights and stories for promotional use.
- Manage sponsor activation, brand promotion, and brand management.
- Supported PR, fundraising, and marketing initiatives for non-profit projects to enhance community engagement and visibility.
- Establish and maintain relationships with current and prospective stakeholders, sponsors, club staff, volunteers.
- Design and edit website content for tournament articles, leaderboard information, and other tournament publications
- Created post-tournament recap videos highlighting champions and on-site pros.
Vice President of Student Athlete Advisory Committee
York College of Pennsylvania Student Athlete Advisory Committee
York
09.2020 - 05.2021
- Contributed to creating a comprehensive student-athlete experience enhancing engagement on and off the field/court.
- Managed content strategy for 'YCPSAAC' Instagram page, increasing visibility for the SAAC committee.
- Represented the York College of Pennsylvania at different conference and non-conference meetings/events.
- Developed events and initiatives to engage and support the York community.
Intern Press Reporter
Axcess Baseball
Long Island
07.2020 - 01.2021
- Covered high school and youth baseball games across Long Island and Brooklyn, providing timely insights and updates for local communities.
- Met strict deadlines for postgame recaps, content creation, and real-time reporting responsibilities.
- Assisted in organizing schedules for travel related to photography, videography, and social media coverage requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sport Management, Marketing, Business
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
York, PA05-2021
Business Administration
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
York, PA05-2021
Marketing
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
York, PA05-2021
Youth Development
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
York, PA05-2021
Athletic Coaching
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
York, PA05-2021
Skills
- Adobe Premiere and Photoshop
- Premiere Pro and InDesign
- Leadership and collaboration
- Customer relationship management
- Social media strategy
- Market research and analysis
- Communication skills
- Creative writing and content creation
- Strategic planning
- Website design and development
Timeline
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Stony Brook University
06.2024 - Current
Athletic Communications Assistant
Stony Brook University
09.2022 - 06.2024
Athletic Communications Assistant
New Jersey City University Gothic Knight Athletics
10.2021 - 09.2022
Communication Intern
American Junior Golf Association
05.2021 - 10.2021
Vice President of Student Athlete Advisory Committee
York College of Pennsylvania Student Athlete Advisory Committee
09.2020 - 05.2021
Intern Press Reporter
Axcess Baseball
07.2020 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Sport Management, Marketing, Business
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Business Administration
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Marketing
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Youth Development
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Athletic Coaching
YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA