Blake Freeland Leaving ORU Athletics

[Old Titan]

 

Since a lot of Media Relations Director Blake Freeland's work for the past eight years revolved around men's basketball, this seemed an appropriate forum for the following news:

I barely know Blake, but in my few dealings with him over the years he seemed like a great guy and a true professional.  I'm sure he will be missed within the department, and difficult to replace. 

Media Relations is a tough job, made even tougher these days by social media and the demise of print journalism.  Gone are the days when a simple press release sent to the Tulsa World would suffice for any announcement to make the paper, and subsequently get picked up by the local TV and radio stations, and the AP wire nationally.  Now, that same announcement must be posted on the ORU Athletics website, boosted on Facebook, tweeted on Twitter, posted on Instagram, e-mailed to the Golden Eagle Club members and season ticket holders, etc.  It's a lot of time-consuming work, and not easy to coordinate for 20+ men's and women's sports.

Media Relations Director is a particularly critical position for a school like ORU that must generate its own "buzz" to be noticed above the OU's and OSU's of the local sports scene.  Just ask the University of Tulsa:  they have a much larger Media Relations department than ORU, and STILL struggle for coverage.

Here's hoping that ORU will really try to hit a home run with this hire, and not just settle for a single.  Choosing "the new voice" for the athletic department in this day and age is arguably as important as any head coaching hire.

[Dr. Cornelius]

1 hour ago, Old Titan said:

Media Relations Director is a particularly critical position for a school like ORU that must generate its own "buzz" to be noticed above the OU's and OSU's of the local sports scene.  Just ask the University of Tulsa:  they have a much larger Media Relations department than ORU, and STILL struggle for coverage.

Here's hoping that ORU will really try to hit a home run with this hire, and not just settle for a single.  Choosing "the new voice" for the athletic department in this day and age is arguably as important as any head coaching hire. 

Hopefully the Athletic Dept. can take some time before the upcoming fall semester to find a replacement.

[ORUalum]

All the best to Blake and his family.  He did a terrific job as ORU's SID.  

[Old Titan]

5 hours ago, Dr. Cornelius said:

Hopefully the Athletic Dept. can take some time before the upcoming fall semester to find a replacement.

Summer is actually a pretty busy time for Media Relations:  announcement of schedules, completion of rosters, full bios, head shots and team pics, etc. for media guides and website are needed ASAP after the start of classes for men's and women's basketball, and even sooner for men's and women's soccer, volleyball, and cross country.  Plus, the same for men's and women's track, men's and women's golf, and baseball must be completed by the end of the semester in early December, and there's little time to work on getting all that stuff during the first semester while all those fall sports are in-season.  You find yourself trying to get as much stuff as possible completed - for ALL sports - in the summer, because once everyone starts "playing ball", you find your time is simply not your own.

Anyone starting the job today would have about 60 days until school starts - a daunting task, to say the least.

[titansforever]

Blake has been an absolute dream to work with. He always responded quickly to my e-mails and questions. He is a true professional, and BGEA is BLESSED to be getting him!