The Game Plan: Eugene Canal Named Director of Athletics Communications
7/27/2016 1:47:00 PM | General
KENT, Ohio - Kent State Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen has announced the hiring of Eugene Canal as Director of Athletics Communications. Canal joins the Golden Flashes staff having previously served as Associate Director of Communications for the University of New Mexico Lobos.
Along with leading the Kent State athletics communications staff, Canal will be the primary sports information director for men's basketball with the goal of promoting the program in accordance with "The Game Plan" set forth in March, which designated men's basketball as the initial vehicle for revenue generation and national distinctiveness.   Â
"Eugene Canal's leadership background and experience working with a premier Division I men's basketball program fit perfectly with the direction of our athletic department," Nielsen said. "I am excited for Eugene to lead our communications department and for the stories of our student-athletes to continue to be shared through local and national media."
While at New Mexico, Canal was the primary media relations contact for the Lobos' nationally recognized men's basketball program, as well as baseball and men's and women's soccer. This past year, Canal administered the Lobos men's basketball social media campaign, aiding the team to its 50th consecutive season of being ranked in the top-25 in average attendance. Canal also took on the role of primary SID for the 2016 Mountain West Conference Baseball Championship.
"Gene has done an amazing job with our program," said New Mexico Head Men's Basketball Coach Craig Neal. "He's been a big help for us as far as local and national media attention and he'll be a great benefit to have at Kent State."
"I'm excited to join the Golden Flashes family," Canal said. "I would like to thank Joel Nielsen, Casey Cegles and Dr. Janet Kittell for this extraordinary opportunity. Although my time at New Mexico has been excellent, I could not pass up leading Kent State's athletic communications team and helping the department move forward in its strategic vision."
Prior to his time with New Mexico, Canal spent six years at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Fla., starting as graduate assistant in 2009 before being promoted to athletics communications coordinator after his first year with the Sharks. In November of 2011, Canal was promoted again, this time to manager of athletic communications which gave him oversight over the day-to-day operations of the Sharks' five-member communications staff. With his promotion, Canal also took on the role of an advisor to Nova's Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
A double major as an undergrad, Canal earned bachelor's degrees in communication arts and religious studies from St. Thomas University in 2008. Canal would go on to earn his Masters of Education with a specialization in athletic administration from Nova Southeastern in 2011.
The search for the position was led by Deputy Athletic Director Casey Cegles. With the addition of Athletic Communications, Cegles now oversees all external functions including: Athletics Advancement, Marketing & Fan Experience, Tickets & Revenue, Athletic Communications, and Under Armour.
Also announced was the promotion of T.J. Christie to group sales manager. A Kent State alum, Christie served the last year as assistant director of marketing and promotions for Kent State.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT EUGENE CANAL:Â
"I'm really happy for Gene to get this opportunity. He is certainly a rising star in the athletic communications field and did a great job working with very visible national programs in New Mexico basketball and baseball. He will be a great member of the team at Kent State."
- Frank Mercogliano
New Mexico Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
"Eugene Canal is a talented athletic communications professional, who is also a top-notch administrator and understands the big picture of intercollegiate athletics within higher education. He does great work while thinking globally about the department. We were lucky to have him as a part of NSU Athletics and Kent State University will find the same."
- Kelley Kish
Nova Southeastern Associate Director of Athletics/ Senior Woman Administrator
