Wednesday, August 24, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. - A former sports information director within the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, Katie Simons will return to the league as Concordia University's Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, the school announced on Wednesday.
"With her background both in professional sports and at the collegiate level, Katie is the perfect fit for Concordia University as we finish up our transition to NCAA Division II," Vice President & Director of Athletics Brian Jamros said.
For the past three seasons, Simons has served as a media relations manager for the Portland Timbers and the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League. Simons served as the primary media relations contact for Thorns FC during her three seasons, coordinating club's media efforts and interviews, writing press releases and developing content for game programs, game notes and digital and social media content.
She was a staff member of the media relations team during the 2015 Major League Soccer Championship run for the Timbers 2013 and the helped develop digital and social media content for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympics.
Prior to her role in professional soccer, Simons was the sports information director at Saint Martin's University for two years where she was the primary media contact for 13 varsity sports. She was also the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor and as a member of the university's Hall of Fame Committee.
During her tenure with the Saints, Simons served as the primary media relations liaison for the 2014 GNAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments in addition to the 2013 NCAA DII Men's Golf Super Regional.
Simons brings additional NCAA DII experience, working as the assistant sports information director at the Colorado School of Mines from 2008-12, serving as the primary contact for soccer, cross country, women's basketball, swimming & diving, track & field and softball.
"I am thrilled to be joining the Concordia University athletic department at such an exciting time and I want to thank Brian for this amazing opportunity," said Simons. "I look forward to working with all the staff and student-athletes to continue growing the profile of Cavalier athletics in Portland and beyond."
Simons earned her undergraduate degree in history and master's degree in communications from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Simons will begin her position at Concordia on August 29.