The 2021 Washburn University Cross Country Media Guide is intended to provide information for writers, broadcasters, sports editors, sports information personnel and fans who follow the Ichabods. Material in the guide was current as of the printing deadline of Aug. 23, 2021. DIRECTIONS TO THE WASHBURN INDOOR ATHLETIC FACILITY Washburn University is in Topeka, Kan., at the intersection of 21st street and Washburn Avenue. The Washburn Indoor Athletic Facility is at 1785 Durrow Drive. The media work room is located on the entry level in the Ron Wessel Control Room to the right when entering the facility. Only credentialed media will be allowed inside the track oval during competitions. Those without media passes will be asked to leave the area. ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE The Washburn University Sports Information Office is located in room 253 inside Whiting Field House. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday though Friday. Phone: 785-670-1791; Fax: 785-670-1091. You may e-mail the SID office at athletics@washburn.edu.
prior to the first event. INTERVIEW POLICIES Post meet interviews with coach David Granato are available to media personnel at the conclusion of the meet. Players will be made available at the end of their competition for the day for interviews. ICHABODS ON THE INTERNET For the most up-to-the minute coverage of Ichabod cross country on the World Wide Web, go to wusports.com, the official web site of the Washburn University Athletic Department. In addition to updated results, statistics and game stories, you can find photos, player and coach biographies, schedule and roster information and weekly releases on the Ichabod football program.
MEDIA ACCESS/SERVICES Media Credentials are available to personnel from accredited media outlets by contacting Gene Cassell, assistant athletic director for communications, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, 66621. Credentials will be available at the ticket table when entering the facility 60 minutes
MEDIA INFORMATION Washburn athletic communications office Gene Cassell is in his 23rd season as Washburn’s Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications after starting in December 1998. Cassell is a 1997 graduate from Northwest Missouri State University, where he graduated with a BS in journalism with a minor in broadcasting. He also graduated with his master’s degree in communication and leadership from Washburn in December 2020. Besides overseeing the media relations of Washburn’s 18 athletic teams, he is the Chairman of CoSIDA and Publications Contest Committee and served five years as a D2SIDA Regional Representative. He is the regional coordinator for the D2CCA all-region volleyball team, a former member of the Don Hansen Football Gazette all-region committee and served 17-years on the MIAA Basketball Tournament Committee. Cassell is also the winningest golf coach in Washburn history leading them to a win at the Central Christian Challenge event then promptly retiring from the position with a 1-0 career record. The WU Athletic Communications office has received 179 citations for excellence for office publications, including 77 best in the nation, 58 second-place finishes and 23 best covers in the nation since Cassell arrived at Washburn. Cassell and his wife, Regina, live in Topeka with their two sons, Jacob and Jared. The family dog, Zelda, is also an original Ichadog for Washburn Athletics. Regina is the director of student publications and is a senior professor in the Washburn mass media department.
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Joy Smith joined the Washburn Athletic Department in August, 2019 as a full-time assistant after spending the previous 10 months as an intern in the office. She is responsible for the media relations efforts of volleyball, women's basketball and the baseball team. Before arriving at Washburn, Smith interned at the University of Central Missouri's Athletic Department for the 2017-18 school year. She covered cross country, track and field and assisted with eight other varsity teams, including the 2017 Division II Women's Soccer National Champions and the 2018 Division II Women's Basketball National Champions. Smith graduated from Central Missouri with a bachelor's of science in sport management with a minor in business administration. The Blue Springs, Mo., native resides in Topeka, Kan.
Conlan Birdsall joins the Washburn Athletic Department this year as an Athletic Communications Intern. He will be the main contact for the Washburn Ichabod golf, women’s soccer and men’s and women’s tennis programs. Birdsall graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications with a minor in Statistics in 2021. While attending Florida, he worked as a broadcaster with Santa Fe College and the Florida Collegiate Summer League. He was the voice for volleyball, women and men’s basketball, softball, and baseball teams at Santa Fe. Birdsall originally from Pasadena, MD.
