October 2, 2018 — Following a comprehensive national search, Marist College has named sports journalist Jane McManus as the new Director of the College’s highly regarded Center for Sports Communication. She will start her job December 1.

McManus has had an illustrious career. She has covered New York sports since 1998, including 18 U.S. Opens, five Super Bowls, two NCAA Final Fours, and the inaugural season of the of the New York Liberty WNBA team. Her work has appeared in Newsday, USA Today, The Journal News, The New York Times, and most recently on ESPN. She also covered Brett Favre’s stint with the Jets.

No stranger to higher education, McManus has been an adjunct professor at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, the same program from which she received her Master’s degree.

“Jane has established herself as a superb sports communication professional with a deep understanding of the sports field. She will bring a wealth of experience to this position from her many years as an active journalist and sports media expert,” said Lyn Lepre, Dean of the School of Communication and the Arts. “Marist’s Center for Sports Communication was formed to serve as a place for thought leadership and as a premiere location for students to train and learn about this burgeoning field. Jane is the ideal choice to connect with students and external audiences and enhance our growing national reputation.”

McManus notes her excitement about the position. “The business of sports media is at a crossroads, but the need for prepared professionals is greater than ever,” she explained. “I want to be part of a center committed to anticipating the needs of emerging employers even as it steeps students in the history that will create engaged and critical thinkers. Sports have always drawn people because they inspire an unequaled passion, I want to help channel that passion into the education required to make it a career.”

Additionally, McManus has served on numerous panels for industry and academic conferences to discuss sports issues and interview athletes and innovators such as WNBA legend Lisa Leslie, Flywheel CEO Sarah Robb O’Hagan, Under Armor CEO Kevin Planke, and volleyball star Gabrielle Reece. On a lighter note, in 2008, McManus embarked on a seven-year roller derby career and once scored 99 points jamming for her Suburban Brawl against Jersey Shore.

“I’ve always been engaging in—not just covering—games and the people who play them, and also the process of that coverage. Ever since I graduated from Columbia, there hasn’t been a year where I didn’t speak in a class or teach one,” McManus said. “Marist’s Center for Sports Communication is committed to that conversation, and developing unique ways for students to learn to see above the X’s and O’s even as they get hands-on experience with the technology required for the next generation of professionals.”