He found that support at St. Cloud State University as a graduate student in Mass Communications’ strategic media communications program and as part of the Athletic Communications team.
Related links
The result of it was on display when Evans was selected to write game previews, recaps and feature stories for the Buffalo Sabres’ website during the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship, Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Buffalo, New York.
“I wouldn’t have been able to be here without my experience in St. Cloud,” Evans said.
That meant he joined Bob Motzko, St. Cloud State and Team USA coach, and sophomore hockey standout Ryan Poehling in Buffalo. Matt Chapman, coordinator of hockey and video operations at St. Cloud State, was video coordinator for a U.S. National Junior Team.
Evans grew up in western New York and is a big Buffalo Sabres fan. He saw the job posted online last summer.
“The chance to come back and work for them has been a goal of mine since I got into the public relations field,” said Evans, who worked 2 ½ years in public relations and communications after graduation in 2013 and before coming to St. Cloud State.
He credits his mentor and director of his graduate assistantship, Tom Nelson, with giving him the confidence he needed to apply.
“No matter what I’ve done, I’ve been encouraged to explore and develop my full skills and breadth of my ability.”
—Ryan Evans, mass communications graduate student
“No matter what I’ve done, I’ve been encouraged to explore and develop my full skills and breadth of my ability,” Evans said.
Nelson is quick to pin Evans’ success to his personal drive.
“He is not afraid to try new things, and his work at the World Junior Championships is a prime example of his work habits and dedication to this profession,” Nelson said.
In St. Cloud, Evans’ graduate assistantship is primarily working with the women’s hockey team. His job is to get the team and its players media exposure locally, nationally, and even internationally.
Some players’ backstories, especially the ones that come from Europe or abroad are interesting, Evans said. Some have had to make major adjustments living in the United States.
“It really expands my worldview in that sense.”
Evans appreciates being able to work with people who have had success, such as Assistant Coach Jinelle Siergiej, a silver medalist at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and goalie Janine Alder, a member of Switzerland’s women’s hockey team that earned a bronze at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
His biggest professional score so far: Pitching a story to The New York Times about St. Cloud State goalie Taylor Crosby and brother, Sidney, a center for the Pittsburgh Penguins. (“Hockey’s Other Crosby Toils Outside the Spotlight,” Nov. 27, 2017, The New York Times.)
UNLEASH POSSIBILITIES
“To get that kind of exposure for our university was pretty cool,” Evans said.
Nelson appreciates his initiative and approach to challenges.
“He doesn’t think of reasons why he can’t do something,” Nelson said. “He is the type who thinks of ways to get the job done.”
Evans says he draws inspiration from other staff and faculty at St. Cloud State and his fellow classmates.
“I’ve met a lot of great people at St. Cloud State, and everybody in the program, everybody in my job, is encouraging and willing to listen and willing to teach and that has been very refreshing.
Ryan Evans, bottom right, participates in a press conference following the USA-Canada game during the World Juniors.
“St. Cloud State’s willingness to bring in people of many different backgrounds and experiences really enriches the program and will bring a lot of depth and ability in the field.”
He describes Nelson as a “picture of long-term success in the field that I want to pursue and be a part of when I graduate.”
For example, Nelson encourages creativity within the strategic communications field Evans said.
“That has been a breath of fresh air and really just a great experience.”
His classmates bring additional skill sets that he appreciates.
“They come from very different backgrounds. Being able to learn from people outside my realm of experience has been invaluable,” Evans said.
The depth of learning and the depth of experience has been Evans’ biggest surprise at St. Cloud State.
He was attracted to Mass Communications’ master’s program, in part, because of the reputation of its undergraduate program.
“It came with a potential graduate assistantship that was right up my alley. And the cost was hard to beat when compared to other programs in the state.”
The classes are all-encompassing and build skills, teach theory and allow for practice.
“Once you get here, it’s a great place to work and to study and the people you meet have the potential to impact the rest of your life,” Evans said. “I wouldn’t trade the last two years for anything.”
He hopes his St. Cloud State experience will help him evolve into a leader who brings relevant, creative ideas and advanced know-how to the sports public relations field.
And, after all the encouragement he has received, he offers his own.
“If you have the ability or a chance, bet on yourself. Take a chance and seize opportunities when they’re presented to you. Life’s too short to go through it unhappy or unfulfilled.”
