Nicole Sasu-Tatum (Photo Credit: SUNY OW Athletics Department)
On August 8, 2019, Nicole Sasu-Twum was appointed sports information director at SUNY Old Westbury by athletics director Lenore J. Walsh. As sports information director, Sasu-Twum is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Sports Information department. The operations include sports communications, multimedia content, compiling statistics, and managing all public relations duties for the Panthers 13 varsity athletic programs. As Sasu-Twum discussed some of her responsibilities, she stated that she tries to get coverage for SUNY OW.
“I am responsible for getting some type of coverage which could be regional, national, etc.”
Before Sasu-Twum was appointed as a sports information director, she began her professional career in social services. Sasu-Twum began her career as a youth specialist for Martin De Porres Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit organization that provides community-based services for at-risk youth.
“Working at Martin De Porres inspired me to be around people,” she said. “I had mentorship and mentorship is important to me.”
During her time in social services, Sasu-Twum became part of the Panther community in 2016 as a graduate intern and volunteer. She interned and volunteered for a year and later became a sports information assistant from 2017-2019 before becoming sports information director. She played an important part in launching the Panthers All-Access streaming services through the partnership with SIDEARM Sports as well as the integration of NCAA LiveStats by Genius Sports.
She honed her sports information skill set by assisting in all facets of athletic communications while developing the talents of student workers and interns where some were able to further their careers in college athletics. One of Sasu-Twum’s notable accomplishments on campus was being credited for recording a women’s basketball highlight that made ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 plays at the number nine slot in February 2016.
She emphasized that she enjoys her experience here. “What kept me here was the people, the diversity, the sports that were offered and the student athletes.”
She added that she was humbled to be named sports information director and hopes that she pays her career forward for women in sports.
