Special to Atmore News
The Cotton Bowl Athletic Association announced July 2 the hiring of Scottie Rodgers to become the Director of Communications for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
No stranger to the Cotton Bowl, Rodgers has been a part of the media operations volunteer staff for the last 21 games, serving as a team media liaison for the previous 17 Classics. Rodgers assumes the communications responsibilities held by longtime Vice President of Communications Charlie Fiss, who is shifting to the role of Historian.
“Scottie has stood out with our organization for decades, but in the research we did during the hiring process, he also stands out as a leader in his field and has garnered the respect of so many around the country,” Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Chairman Bry Patton said. “We couldn’t be more excited to have Scottie join our staff and bring his expertise to our team.”
Rodgers comes to the CBAA staff after a two-and-a-half year stint at the Sun Belt Conference office as Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications, where he served as co-primary communications contact for football (2019-20) and primary communications contact for men’s basketball, men’s soccer, volleyball, softball and men’s and women’s tennis (2017-20). He advanced the conference’s messages with local, regional and national media and led the league’s efforts in its community initiatives with the American Cancer Society, College Football Playoff Foundation, Cure Bowl and Science of Sport.
“Scottie’s resume speaks for itself, but when you get to know him, you quickly understand the passion he has for what he does,” Cotton Bowl Athletic Association President/CEO Rick Baker said. “Based on our long history with Scottie, I can’t think of a better person to follow Charlie Fiss, who has done such a remarkable job for our organization and will continue to be an important part of our team in his new role.”
Among the many responsibilities in Rodger’s new role, he will oversee press box operations for all college games at AT&T Stadium in addition to creating and implementing strategic communications objectives throughout the year with an emphasis on digital marketing.
“It is hard to put into words what it means to me to be the newest member of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association family,” Rodgers said. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of a mentor and friend in Charlie Fiss. I take the torch from Charlie with pride and excitement to build upon the foundation he forged for many Cotton Bowl Classics to come.”
Rodgers came to the Sun Belt office from Tulane University where he was Associate Director of Athletics, Strategic Communications, overseeing a staff of four and the media and public relations efforts of 16 varsity sports for a 16-month stint (2016-17). While working with the Green Wave, he served as the primary communications contact for the football and women’s golf programs.
Before Tulane, Rodgers spent eight years (2008-16) as the Associate Executive Director, Communications and External Relations at The Ivy League office. At The Ivy League, Rodgers led the overall communications strategy for all 33 sports and 15 championship events while overseeing all external relations areas including television, marketing / sponsorships, merchandising, licensing and branding as a member of the Executive Director’s senior management team.
Prior to joining The Ivy League, Rodgers spent a little more than two years (2005-08) at CBS Sports Digital as a senior director of university relations. He was also the assistant and later associate director for the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship at the NCAA National Office (2000-05) after working in various capacities at the Southeastern Conference Office (1995-2000).
Active nationally, Rodgers has been involved with CoSIDA since 1996, currently serving on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee since February 2017, Special Awards Committee since June 2014 and Black College Sports Information Directors Leadership Council since June 2015. Previously, he served on CoSIDA’s Social Committee 1997-2009 and as chair of its University Division Football Championship Subdivision Management Advisory Committee 2010-14. He is also a current member of National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). He also served as member of the College Football 150th Anniversary’s Communications / Public Affairs Committee.
Rodgers has worked various NCAA championship events throughout his career, including 15 NCAA Men’s Final Fours; eight NCAA Women’s Final Fours; and the 2015, 2018, 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship games. He also served on the NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing Committee for three years 2013-16.
Rodgers has worked on the media operations staff for various professional and international sporting events, including at the Kentucky Derby from 2002-07 and with the New York Yankees for the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game; 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012 American League Division Series; 2009 and 2010 American League Championship Series; and 2009 World Series. He was also an active member of the local organizing committee for the 2002 FIBA Men’s World Basketball Championship and the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m),
The Atmore native graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 1995. He spent three years as student assistant in the athletics communications office during his time in Tuscaloosa.
Rodgers will assume his new position at the Cotton Bowl starting on Aug. 3.