The College Sports Communicators announced today its Class of 2023 for the 30 Under 30 recognition program, with Pearl Cipriano, Bard College's Sports Information Director, among the honorees.
The 30 Under 30 program was created by the CSC's Young Professionals Committee and launched a year ago to recognize outstanding young professionals throughout the organization's membership.
Cipriano, who joined Bard Athletics in July, has put her stamp on the department in a short time, introducing a number of new initiatives on the athletics website and social media, maintaining a high standard of statistics and game-day operations, and assisting with other programs and materials for coaches, students, alumni, and families.
"Since joining Bard this summer, Pearl has made a fantastic impression on everyone here in Bard Athletics," said David Lindholm, Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Pearl shows great joy in celebrating the wonderful people in our department and all their accomplishments, and her commitment, care, and enthusiasm for her work is contagious. I'm amazed at her impact here in such a short time."
"It's an incredible honor to be named to CSC 30 under 30," said Cipriano. "To be recognized by my peers and colleagues is humbling, since not many people understand the day-in and day-out work. I will forever be grateful to the people that helped me get to where I am now. I am thankful to all of the student-athletes, coaches and administrations that I have worked with in the past and present; they are the reason why I love working this field."
Cipriano has was previously honored by the College Sports Communicators, having been named to the organization's Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Program Class of 2022-23. The year before, she was selected as one of six recipients of a 2022 NCAA Inclusion College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Convention grant.
Cipriano arrived at Bard following two years at Shippensburg University, where she filled many roles in the sports information department, including event management, statistics, hiring and training of student workers, oversight of social media, photography, and more.
Prior to Shippensburg, Cipriano worked as a sports information student assistant at Emmanuel University in Georgia, where she handled all aspects of athletic communications for the Lions. Cipriano's duties included serving as the lead statistician at athletic events and orchestrating live video streaming and photography, in addition to maintenance of the athletics website, writing game recaps, and handling social media duties.
As a student-athlete at Emmanuel from 2015-19, Cipriano was an All-Conference Carolinas Second Team performer and a three-time International Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic honoree. She was an integral member of an Emmanuel team that won the 2019 Conference Carolinas Championship, culminating a five-year run for the Lions that began with a winless record in 2014-15.
What coworkers, staff, and students have to say about Pearl Cipriano:
Bill Morgal, Sports Information Director, Shippensburg University:
"Pearllan exemplifies all of the best qualities of our profession. She is second to none, not simply because of her incredible talent and skill, but because she accompanies her prowess with an unrivaled work ethic that is packed with genuine care and passion. She understands the purpose of our coverage Is to provide a positive outcome for the student-athletes and staff whom we serve. That tenet in her heart motivates her to put the best product forward, and to not let any obstacles prevent it from happening. I witnessed it for the two years that we got to work side-by-side, and it is still so patently evident to me from afar. Any individual who gets an opportunity to interact or work with Pearllan becomes better for having done so. I am eternally grateful to have had that chance, and I am excited for, and envious of, all those who will get to work with Pearllan throughout her emergence as a trendsetter in our field."
Kethan Darbar, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Communications, Emmanuel University:
"By working in a college athletic environment, I have the opportunity to work with a lot of different people, but not so often one stands out. Pearllan was one who always made sure to go above and beyond on every single task with an unmatched attention to detail and determination. No matter what project she was tackling, Pearl always brought invaluable insight and motivation to the task with the perfect combination of a personality and an ability to provide the best service. I will always appreciate Pearl for more than just her work. I also want to celebrate her character and the positive effect she has on others."
Kate Hofstede, Head Women's Soccer Coach, Bard College:
"In the short time that Pearl has been at Bard, she has made a significant impact on Bard Athletics events and outreach via social media platforms. From giving recognition to our student-athletes to organizing fundraising events for programs such as Miles of Hope and Morgan's Message, Pearl is an absolute game-changer in the communications realm. She has set an incredible precedent for the department and we are fortunate to have her on our staff."
Adi David, President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete, Bard College:
"As SAAC President, I have loved collaborating with Pearl on SAAC and athletics projects and she has been super supportive of student initiatives and ideas! The student-athletes at Bard could not be more grateful for all the work that Pearl has put in these last few months to make each and every one of us feel special."
Jenn Woo, Bard Student Worker in Sports Information, Bard College:
"Pearl is the coolest not only as a person but as a professional. I have been working with her since the start of the semester and couldn't be more impressed with her organization and patience! Pearl can do it all and she makes everyone that works with her feel like they can also do it!"
Emily Smith, SAAC Treasurer, Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete, and Sports Information Student Worker, Bard College:
"I have the honor of working with Pearl in the Sports Information office and it's so wonderful to work with someone who is so passionate about making sure each and every athlete has the best experience at Bard. In the small amount of time she's been here, she's become a super important and influential member of the department and I'm so happy to have her at Bard!"
Jalen Smiley, Bard Student Worker in Sports Information, Bard College:
"Pearl is such an amazing supervisor and person in general. I told her my aspirations and visions for the athletics department and she trusted me and gave me an opportunity my first week on campus as a first-year. Her contributions to media for Bard's department have really enhanced the program and brought a new attitude to the environment. I can't wait to see how and what we can accomplish in my four years here. Thank you and congratulations Pearl!"
Caleb Blake, Bard Student Worker in Sports Information, Bard College:
"Pearl has been an exceptional Sports Information Director! She's implemented numerous outstanding systems and add-ons, such as our post-game interviews and a completely revamped interface for watching the games. Her inspiration has touched me deeply, especially her remarkable determination and persistence in accomplishing tasks. I'm incredibly grateful for her patience and willingness to teach me the skills needed to become a statistician."
Armando Dunn, Assistant Sports Information Director, Bard College:
"Pearl is a tremendous asset to our department. Her kindness, passion, and knowledge shine in the work she does every day and she pushes me to be a better person in all aspects of my life. Pearl is a class act and her most impressive quality, per the students, is the patience and care she shows to everyone she comes in contact with. Congratulations to my G.O.A.T."
