UIndy hires new Assistant Athletic Director of Media Relations
The University of Indianapolis’ athletics department welcomed Matt Holmes as the new assistant athletic director for media relations as of Nov. 1.
The UIndy alumnus was hired to work on relations between the athletics department and the university’s communication department, as well as its relationship with local media.
“Basically we’re trying to do a little bit more in trying to get the UIndy athletic story out,” said Director of Athletics and Associate Professor of Kinesiology Sue Willey. “We want a little more visibility…a little more interaction with either local media or the south side papers.”
Holmes will join Sports Information Director Ryan Thorpe and Assistant Sports Information Director Jacqueline Paquette in disseminating the athletics department’s story to these media outlets.
“The hiring of Matt Holmes does not technically constitute additional help. Matt replaced former Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information Mitch Wigness who moved onto the University of Detroit Mercy,” Thorpe said. “However, the change in title for the position, I believe, speaks to the department’s effort to improve media relations locally and increase the exposure for our athletics teams.”
His former studies at UIndy gave him a slight advantage in the hiring process.
“He knows our internal workings,” Willey said. “He has gleaned a lot of good experience after he graduated from here. We like the fact that he has a connection to the radio station. He has a connection to the communication department. Those two aspects should certainly enhance what we can accomplish on and off campus.”
Holmes received his bachelor of art’s degree in communication from UIndy in 2002. While studying at the university, he held positions on The Reflector, as well as WICR, and minored in business administration.
After graduation, Holmes went on to hold positions in the athletic departments at Western Illinois University and Western Michigan University.
Holmes believes that his experience on both sides of the media will help him in his new role at UIndy.
“I want to continue to get the word out there about the great things UIndy athletics are doing,” Holmes said. “It’s about finding those compelling stories and crafting different messages for different audiences.”
Holmes said he was excited to start working at his alma mater.
“I always hoped that one of these days I could come back to Indianapolis,” Holmes said. “And give back to the university for the great experience I had as a student.”
