During this course, you have analyzed the use of different communication methods by several sport organizations. These methods include working with traditional media, such as newspapers, advertising and television; as well as new media (websites, video, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) and public relations firms.
You have also discussed intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, small-group communication, and their importance within organizational and strategic communication.
Choose a college or university:
Consider yourself a member of the athletic department's internal communications department for your final project. Your duties include reinforcing the importance of clear communication within the organization, and evaluating how the organization can best use the communication methods discussed in this course.
Write a proposal for distribution within the athletics department. The document must reiterate several strategic policies and propose ideas for how the department should communicate both internally and externally. The proposal must include:
Introduction
Why is effective communication necessary within the organization?
What strategic benefits can effective communication provide?
What problems could potentially arise without effective communication?
Media relations policies
Explain standards for athletes and coaches when communicating with the media.
Who must make official statements to the media on behalf of the organization?
What impressions can nonverbal communication make?
Public relations policies
How must a crisis, especially a legal crisis involving athletes, be handled?
How must athletes and coaches respond to a crisis involving teammates?
Should the department be involved in the campus community and in the local community? If so, how?
How should the department advertise?
What kind of atmosphere must the department promote at games? How can the department create this atmosphere?
Print, electronic and social media communication
How can the department use the Internet and social media to communicate with the public?
What features must be available on the organization's public website?
What kind of message must the organization's website disseminate?
What types of online communication tools can the department use to engage the public?
What policies must govern athletes' personal Facebook, Twitter, etc. accounts regarding the athletic department?
What kinds of advertising and promotion must the department use?
What are the potential benefits of different types of communication?
The writing assignment must follow APA format and be sure to include citations for quotations and paraphrases with references in APA style.