We are changing things up this week!


This week I interviewed Olivia Puttin, who is the Assistant Director of Sports Communications at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. I met her via sports photographer Kelly Hagenson, who also works at the U of MN (and Minnesota Aurora, our pre-pro women's soccer team). See Kelly's interview HERE to read about her story in sports photography! Let's get to it.


Hello, Olivia! Tell readers a bit about yourself. Where did you grow up?

Rogers, Minnesota

Did you play sports as a kid?

Yes, soccer

Where do you live now?

St. Paul, Minnesota.

Hey, me, too! Anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

I played college soccer for three years at the University of Minnesota–Crookston. In my senior year, I gave up soccer for a student assistantship at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

How long have you been in sports communications? When did you start?

I’ve been in sports communications since my freshman year of college, so around the fall/winter of 2016. I started with men’s basketball stats and eased my way into other duties.

What was your first internship?

I first started working in sports communications at the University of Minnesota – Crookston. I enjoyed it so much that I asked to shadow the SIDs (sports information directors) at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities (where I work now).

What is your current position?

I’m an Assistant Sports Information Director at the University of Minnesota. I work with the women’s soccer and softball teams here. My main tasks include social media management, pitching stories to local news outlets, writing game notes, media training student-athletes, inputting stats, etc.

What was your first paid internship?

I interned at the inaugural 2019 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, MN. I was the event management intern and assisted at the different hospitality tents around the course. It was also an all-hands-on-deck tournament, we helped clean up each night, assisted different attendees, and helped with players and families. My biggest task was creating the 2019 3M Open Players, Wives, and Family guidebook. It listed restaurants,

hotels, hospitals, etc.

What was your first paid sports job?

After undergrad, I was a sports communications Graduate Assistant at the University of Georgia. I worked with the women’s basketball, equestrian, women’s soccer and football teams. As a Graduate Assistant, we were also required to work on almost every SEC Tournament and NCAA event we hosted. This ranged from SEC Tennis Championships to NCAA Gymnastics Regionals.

What was one of your favorite events/competitions/games/matches that you worked?

The 2017 NCAA Volleyball Final Four is what got me into wanting to pursue a career in sports communications. The 2019 Men’s Basketball Final Four or the 2022 Women’s Basketball Final Four are probably my two favorites.

What jobs do you have coming up that you are excited about?

In the summers, I work for the Minnesota Aurora, a pre-professional women’s soccer team. They’re a great organization filled with wonderful people and I truly enjoy working with them.

What is a topic related to sports that you are passionate about?

I think making more women’s sports visible to the media is super important. It’s never been equal and it still isn’t equal. There’s so much work left to be done and I hope to be in a position one day to help elevate female athletes to the next level.

I agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment. I am here to cheer you on!!!


Who were/are your mentors?

I have a few! My boss at Minnesota, Michele Traversie, is who got me into sports communications. My good friend Andrea Yoch got me involved with the Minnesota Aurora. Last but not least, Claude Felton and Tray Littlefield at the University of Georgia, gave me the opportunities to really help me gain experience.

Andrea is such a force. I'd love to meet her in person someday. You've had some powerful ladies in your corner throughout your studies and work experience. That is incredible.


What would be an event/competition/game that you would love to work on someday?

I’ve worked so many big NCAA events and tournaments, but I think it would be a huge dream come true to work a women’s or men’s World Cup.


Thanks so much for taking the time for an interview, Olivia! Readers, please follow Olivia on X at @OliviaPuttin and on Instagram at @oliegoalie.

Until next week!

~ Wendy