Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin
Mike Kowalsky Named Associate AD for Communications & Public Relations
8/9/2022 12:30:00 PM | General
Sixteen-year communications veteran rejoins athletics staff
NEW YORK — Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling announced on Tuesday that Mike Kowalsky has been named Associate Athletics Director for Communications and Public Relations. Kowalsky, who was previously at Columbia for nearly a decade in the athletics communications office, returns to Columbia after serving as Director of Communications with Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League.
In his first stint with the Lions, Kowalsky served as the primary communications contact for several teams. He led the public relations and communications efforts for the men's basketball team's 2015 run to the CIT Championship, as well as multiple trips to the NCAA Regionals by the Columbia baseball team. Kowalsky also played a part in several athletics department committees and initiatives, including the planning and coordination of the annual Varsity C Celebration and Hall of Fame Ceremony.
"We are thrilled to have Mike returning to Columbia as our Associate AD for Communications and Public Relations," stated Cara Holdsclaw, Columbia's Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs. "Mike has shown tremendous loyalty to Columbia University and our Athletics Department and has the experience and skills necessary to lead our communications office. He is exactly what we needed at this time and we welcome him back."
Kowalsky has immediately assumed Columbia's communications and media relations responsibilities for football and fencing.
After spending five years as Assistant Director of Athletics Communications at Seton Hall University, Kowalsky was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics Communications in August 2011. At different points in his SHU career, he served as the primary media contact for the Pirates' women's basketball, volleyball, men's soccer, women's tennis, men's golf, cross country, and softball programs.
During his tenure in South Orange, Kowalsky volunteered at the 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and was a media coordinator at the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional in Newark, New Jersey. In 2016, Kowalsky moderated post-game press conferences at the Atlantic-10 and NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center. He is also an active member of CoSIDA and the United States Basketball Writers Association.
Kowalsky graduated with a degree in sport management from SUNY Cortland in 2006, where he served as an event manager and sports information assistant.
A native of Sauquoit, New York, he now resides in Wood Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife Stephanie. They have two sons, Maxwell and Lucas.
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For the latest on Columbia athletics, follow @GoColumbiaLions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
In his first stint with the Lions, Kowalsky served as the primary communications contact for several teams. He led the public relations and communications efforts for the men's basketball team's 2015 run to the CIT Championship, as well as multiple trips to the NCAA Regionals by the Columbia baseball team. Kowalsky also played a part in several athletics department committees and initiatives, including the planning and coordination of the annual Varsity C Celebration and Hall of Fame Ceremony.
"We are thrilled to have Mike returning to Columbia as our Associate AD for Communications and Public Relations," stated Cara Holdsclaw, Columbia's Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs. "Mike has shown tremendous loyalty to Columbia University and our Athletics Department and has the experience and skills necessary to lead our communications office. He is exactly what we needed at this time and we welcome him back."
Kowalsky has immediately assumed Columbia's communications and media relations responsibilities for football and fencing.
After spending five years as Assistant Director of Athletics Communications at Seton Hall University, Kowalsky was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics Communications in August 2011. At different points in his SHU career, he served as the primary media contact for the Pirates' women's basketball, volleyball, men's soccer, women's tennis, men's golf, cross country, and softball programs.
During his tenure in South Orange, Kowalsky volunteered at the 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and was a media coordinator at the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional in Newark, New Jersey. In 2016, Kowalsky moderated post-game press conferences at the Atlantic-10 and NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center. He is also an active member of CoSIDA and the United States Basketball Writers Association.
Kowalsky graduated with a degree in sport management from SUNY Cortland in 2006, where he served as an event manager and sports information assistant.
A native of Sauquoit, New York, he now resides in Wood Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife Stephanie. They have two sons, Maxwell and Lucas.
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For the latest on Columbia athletics, follow @GoColumbiaLions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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