ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES
The American University athletics communications office serves as the primary liaison between AU's athletics programs and the public. In doing so, the staff is responsible for serving the needs of not only the media, but also coaches, student-athletes, supporters and fans.
The athletic communications staff devotes much of its time to facilitating interview requests, producing publications such as record books and game programs, managing content and updates for AUEagles.com, and generating official news and public information releases.
Athletics communications also provides game-day press area management and statistical services as needed at competition sites; compiles the historical records of each team through the collection of results, photos and news clippings; and oversees the athletics department's Hall of Fame.
The staff also works closely with conference offices, the NCAA, and various coaches' organizations and other sporting networks and associations on matters such as national statistics and regional and national awards.
INTERVIEW POLICY
All interview requests must be forwarded to a representative of the athletics communications office. No administrator, coach, or student-athlete shall be contacted by the media without prior consent of the athletics communications office. In turn, if a media representative makes contact without prior consent, it is the duty of the interviewee to contact their communications representative.
Student-athletes' phone numbers will not be provided to the media. It is the intent of the office that all student-athlete interviews take place in the athletics communications office, or in a predetermined location. Student-athletes will not be made available for interviews on gameday until after the conclusion of competition. It is at a coach's discretion whether they will conduct interviews on the day of competition.
American University Athletics follows the NCAA guideline of allowing a 10-minute cooling off period following the completion of competition prior to conducting interviews. At a home event, where applicable, the visiting coach and selected student-athletes will enter the media room first, followed by the AU head coach and selected student-athletes. In the event of a Patriot League or NCAA Championship event, following a 10-minute cooling off period, the winning head coach and selected student-athletes will enter the media room first, followed by the losing head coach and selected student-athletes.
CREDENTIALS
All credential requests must be made 48 to 72 hours before the start of competition. Any late requests must be signed off by a member of the staff and do not guarantee access.
All credentials are issued by the American University Office of Athletics Communications. All credentials are issued specifically for working media, gameday operations and university staff members and are NON-TRANSFERABLE. AU Athletics reserves the right to revoke any credential that is improperly used. All credentials remain the property of AU Athletics and must be surrendered upon request. This credential may not be valid for sold-out events and does not guarantee the holder a seat. Proper use of this credential is required and expected.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Video, audio, and professional camera and recording devices are prohibited for spectators. Fans may not reproduce any film, digital, video or audio recording for commercial purposes without the express written consent of American University.
