Ohio State Athletics Communications
The Ohio State Athletics Communications office manages all public and media relations for the Ohio State Department of Athletics and its 36 varsity sports. Working with one of the largest beats in college athletics, the Athletics Communications office coordinates all interview requests for Ohio State players, coaches and staff. The office also produces content for and maintains OhioStateBuckeyes.com and keeps historical records for each team.
Athletics Communications Staff
Name | Sports/Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Park - Executive Associate AD | External Affairs and Chief Communications Officer | park.3920@osu.edu |
| Will Pantages - Senior Associate AD | Football Strategic Communications | pantages.3@osu.edu |
| Gary Petit - Associate AD | Administration, Men's Basketball, Men's and Women's Golf | petit.38@osu.edu |
| Dan Wallenberg - Associate AD | Men's Soccer, Wrestling, Rowing, Championships Coordinator, Staff Writer | wallenberg.1@osu.edu |
| Leann Parker - Assistant AD | Men's Ice Hockey, Fencing, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Tennis, Cross Country, Communications Admin | parker.387@osu.edu |
| Andrew Kovar - Director | Football (#2), Men's Lacrosse | kovar.40@osu.edu |
| Maria Slovikovski - Director | Women's Basketball, Softball, Men's Gymnastics, Spirit & Dance | slovikovski.1@osu.edu |
| Breanna Jacobs - Associate Director | Baseball, Women's Volleyball, Swimming and Diving | jacobs.1309@osu.edu |
| Emilia Frizzi - Associate Director | Women's Hockey, Women's Gymnastics, Field Hockey, Football Credentials | frizzi.3@osu.edu |
| Kendall Merriett - Communications Assistant | Football (#3), Track & Field, Men's Tennis, Artistic Swimming | merriett.3@osu.edu |
| Paige Hollowell - Communications Coordinator | Women's Soccer, Men's Volleyball, Pistol, Rifle | hollowell.20@osu.edu |
Ohio State Department of Athletics Credentialing Policies
The Ohio State University Department of Athletics issues credentials for event coverage based on multiple factors that together are intended to provide a working atmosphere conducive to professional media coverage and best practices.
Credentialing priority for all sports is given to professional media outlets that cover Ohio State athletics on an active, consistent and comprehensive basis. Authorized outlets have full-time staff and are established in the business of news gathering and news disseminating as their primary source of revenue, and have a history of comprehensive coverage.
Criteria
Media credentials may be issued to working members of the media representing recognized media outlets in the business of news gathering/sports reporting as a primary function of their business.
- The types of media outlets eligible for credentials include newspapers, websites, magazines, wire services, college (sport-specific) publications, television, and radio.
- Outlets seeking credentials must demonstrate a record of sustained, original coverage of college sports, or specifically Ohio State Athletics, while adhering to standard journalistic standards.
- Factors which will be considered in determining if an outlet is eligible for credentials include but are not limited to audience size, market share and editorial structure.
- Credentials will not be issued to representatives whose outlet exists solely as a platform for distributing unoriginal content (press releases, aggregate news sites, etc.).
- Online outlets should typically (a) be affiliated with a national or regional media organization; or, (b) host a website that provides substantial coverage of college athletics and/or Ohio State, and employs at least one full-time, permanent employee responsible for producing the site’s content.
- Outlets which are message boards without regular, substantial news/editorial/feature coverage by a full-time writer may be denied credentials.
- Credentials will not be issued for representatives from an outlet that does not have its own dedicated medium of distribution (e.g. outlets that primarily originate from a YouTube, Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook account are not eligible for credentials.).
- Outlets whose working function is limited primarily to the recording and posting of full media availability sessions without any produced news/editorial/feature content may be denied.
- Representatives should be on assignment for that outlet. Passes used by any member of a credentialed outlet without specific editorial assignment or by non-working members of the outlet are subject to revocation and will affect all future credentialing decisions by Ohio State for that outlet.
- Representatives should be affiliated with a lawful working business or enterprise with a Federal Tax ID/Employer Identification Number.
- Outlets must certify that their representatives seeking credentials have completed a background check and that the outlet does not reasonably believe those representatives pose a threat to property or persons. Ohio State University reserves the right to verify compliance by the outlet.
Receiving credentials from another institution or entity for another event does not equate to meeting the criteria for credentials at Ohio State. Additionally, being granted credentials for one Ohio State event does not guarantee approval for other Ohio State events.
Ohio State will aim to foster an environment conducive to the career growth of student media by providing students with first-hand experience and insight into the working relationship between athletic organizations and professional media. As such, student journalists seeking credentials will be subject to this policy. Students are strongly encouraged to connect with Ohio State's communications staff and full-time beat reporters for protocols relating to media availability and conduct for each sport to ensure their seamless integration into this professional environment.
Conduct
- Credentialed media representatives and their outlets, including student representatives and their outlets, are asked to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with professional codes of conduct and ethics (such as one provided by the Society of Professional Journalists) in terms of their actions, decorum, dress, etc.• Credential holders are expected to adhere to all requirements of this policy, the applicable rules, regulations, and policies of Ohio State University including venue specific rules, and all applicable local, federal, and state laws. Failure to do so may result in revocation of credentials.
- Credentialed media are not permitted to seek autographs, request personal photographs/videos, solicit/take equipment, etc. from Ohio State’s student-athletes or coaches. Such actions or requests will be viewed as a breach of professional conduct and are grounds for credential revocation.
- Outlets are responsible for the conduct of their representatives including any damage caused by negligent, reckless, or malicious acts of their representative.
Credential Applications
Apply here: https://go.osu.edu/26fbcredentials
Email Maria Slovikovski to apply for credentials for Ohio State women's basketball. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance and will follow the above credentialling policies.
Email the athletics communication contact for the sport you are requesting to cover. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance and will follow the above credentialling policies.
