What's Happening?
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Department of Athletics has announced the addition of Percival Poyser to its athletic communications staff. Poyser joins UMES after serving two years as a graduate assistant in the Delaware State University Media
Relations office. In his previous role, he was the primary communications contact for several sports, including men's basketball, women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field, and triathlon. Additionally, Poyser contributed to content creation for Delaware State Athletics and oversaw Project Sting, a student content program focused on athletics promotions and MEAC partnerships. His experience also includes a graphic design internship with Position Sports, where he produced creative content for various events and organizations such as the Hoophall Classic, Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas HBCU Classic, and Nike Girls EYBL. Poyser is a two-time graduate of Delaware State, holding a bachelor's degree in sport management (2024) and a master's degree in sport administration (2026).
Why It's Important?
This appointment is significant for UMES Athletics as it aims to strengthen its storytelling efforts and enhance the visibility of its student-athletes, coaches, and programs. Poyser's diverse background in athletic communications, creative design, and student development brings a comprehensive skill set to the department. His prior experience with MEAC partnerships at Delaware State suggests a familiarity with the conference landscape, which could be beneficial for UMES in promoting its athletic programs within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The focus on expanding how Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics showcases its talent indicates a strategic move to improve public relations and engagement, potentially leading to increased fan support, recruitment of prospective athletes, and overall brand enhancement for the university's sports division. This move reflects a broader trend in collegiate athletics to invest in robust communications strategies to connect with a wider audience.
What's Next?
With Percival Poyser joining the UMES athletic communications staff, the immediate next steps will likely involve integrating his expertise into the department's existing communication strategies. He is expected to contribute to strengthening the Hawks' storytelling efforts and expanding the ways Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics showcases its student-athletes, coaches, and programs. This could manifest in new content initiatives, enhanced social media presence, and improved media relations for various sports teams. His experience as Creative Director for D1 Showcase, a nonprofit where he produced over 200 graphics and promoted over 150 athletes, suggests a potential for innovative visual content and athlete spotlight features. Furthermore, his introduction of the 'Beyond the Clipboard' series, highlighting behind-the-scenes perspectives of coaches, could inspire similar engaging content at UMES, offering deeper insights into the athletic programs. The department will likely leverage his skills to create more compelling narratives around their athletic achievements and community involvement.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the immediate impact on UMES Athletics' communications, Poyser's appointment highlights the evolving landscape of collegiate sports media. The emphasis on 'strengthening storytelling efforts' and 'expanding the ways' athletes are showcased reflects a growing recognition that effective communication is crucial for athletic programs to thrive in a competitive environment. This trend extends beyond traditional press releases to encompass digital content creation, social media engagement, and personalized athlete narratives. The investment in professionals like Poyser, who possess a blend of media relations, graphic design, and student development experience, underscores the holistic approach now required to manage an athletic brand. This move also subtly points to the increasing importance of HBCU athletics in the national sports conversation, as institutions like UMES seek to elevate their profiles and attract talent through sophisticated communication strategies. The focus on promoting individual athlete stories also aligns with broader societal trends valuing personal narratives and brand building for young professionals.
