Media Information

The 2022-23 Washburn University Tennis 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 Dec. 1, 2022. DIRECTIONS TO THE WASHBURN TENNIS COMPLEX

Washburn University is in Topeka, Kan., at the intersection of 21st street and Washburn Avenue. The Washburn Tennis Complex is directly south of Lee Arena is located on the corner of SW College Ave. and SW Durow Rd. Parking is located on the south side of the courts. The Genesis Tennis Center is south of Washburn campus located on SW 37th St. 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: 785-6701091. You may e-mail the SID office at athletics@washburn.edu

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 prior to the first event. INTERVIEW POLICIES

Post meet interviews with coach Kirby Ronning 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 track and field program.

Washburn athletic communications office

Gene Cassell is in his 24th 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 195 citations for excellence for office publications, including 87 best in the nation, 58 second-place finishes and 25 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.

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. Kyle Manthe joins the Washburn Athletic department as an athletic communications intern in 2022. Manthe earned his bachelor’s degree in Mass Media from Washburn in 2022. During his time at Washburn, Manthe worked at the Washburn Review for two years and served as the sports editor for 2021-22 and also worked as a sports information student intern in Spring 2022. Manthe is originally from Topeka where he has also worked as a contributor at Top Sports News and board operator at 580 WIBW radio.