Meet the Rising 25 Class of 2018: Courtney Bay

1. Tell Us About Yourself and Your Current Role

I’m a native of Frisco, Texas, but grew up an Oklahoma State fan. Once I decided to pursue my bachelors’ degree in something sports-related, I knew OSU would be the perfect spot for me. I worked in various part-time positions throughout the athletic department as a student and was fortunate enough to be hired on full-time after I graduated in 2016. My current role is Multimedia Producer for Orange Power Studios – specifically Cowboy Football – which involves producing content for our social media channels and in-house programming.

2. Where do you see yourself in 15 years/dream job?

I am fortunate enough to be working my dream job right now! As a lifelong Oklahoma State fan, I always dreamed of working for the football program, so when the opportunity came up at just the right time, I was thrilled to take on the challenge. I’m excited to see how the role continues to push me to grow as a creator – you never know what the future holds, but I love the path I’m on right now.

3. Who is your mentor at this point?

I’ve been lucky to work with some outstanding members of my field, but I would have to say our Social Media Coordinator, Kellie Reeves, has been the biggest influence on my work. She changed the game for me by not only advocating for my current job to be created but helping me adapt to the ever-changing landscape of social media. I would not be the creator I am today without her guidance and patience.

I also have to thank my boss, CJ Lickert, and my administrator, Kevin Klintworth – they have stellar track records of hiring talented women, which you don’t always see in sports production, and they both took a chance on hiring me as a student all those years ago.

4. What’s one thing you’ve learned early in your career that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?

Change is good! Holding on to old habits too tightly can hinder your work, which is a challenge in the world of sports because so much of it is rooted in tradition. You have to be ready to progress and adapt to new ways of presenting information and ideas – all while preserving the traditions and history that make your sport special. It’s a tough balance, but I’ve found that my best work happens when I have the time and patience to try new ideas.

5. What does winning the Rising 25 Award mean to you?

It’s a huge honor – it lets me know that I’m on the right path, but also makes me want to work even harder to progress as a professional.