Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Entering his second year out of the classroom and his first as the Associate Director of Athletic Communications for Mulerider Athletics, Jonathan Briggs continues his stay at Southern Arkansas as the Muleriders' Women's Volleyball, Cross Country, Women's Basketball, Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field, and Softball contact.

Along with writing for the various sports above, Briggs has also expanded his range of skills for statistical software usage as he picked up NCAA Live Stats for Women's Volleyball as an inputter and spotter. The 22-year old still holds a few duties from his undergrad days as he works the public address for Mulerider Softball as well as handling music for both Softball and Baseball. 

The recent Southern Arkansas University graduate  has held the title of Assistant Director of Athletic Communications since June 1, 2023. The hiring of Briggs filled a two-month long vacancy in the position after former assistant Kayte Ledbetter stepped away to pursue opportunities with the WNBA's Dallas Wings.
 
"Kayte did an outstanding job in her time back in Magnolia and when the position opened up, it was a no-brainer on who I wanted to fill the void," noted Jacob Pumphrey, Assistant AD for Communications. "It is a blessing to have the opportunity to bring someone in who not only is familiar with the office, but someone who has greatly impacted the office during the past several years. I have had the pleasure of seeing Jonathan grow in this business and I am excited for what the future holds for him as a member of this department."
 
A native of Hooks, Texas, Briggs brought three years of experience into the same office that first saw him venture into athletic communications in August of 2020. His experience in SAU's Athletic Communications Office is vast and far beyond what a traditional student worker in the office would've gain over the same period of time.
 
Since stepping foot on campus as an undergraduate student, Briggs gained experience in multiple facets of gameday operations including statistical software usage as an inputter and spotter with NCAA Live Stats for football and men's and women's basketball, press row replay operation for men's and women's basketball, public address announcing for volleyball and softball and camera operations for multiple sports, while also producing previews and recaps for the Mulerider Men's and Women's Track & Field teams across both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
 
"Jonathan's growth in this line of work would not have been possible without the help and guidance from my assistants over the years," added Pumphrey. "Nick Rackley, Stephen Featherston and Kayte Ledbetter all played a hands-on approach when it came to directing our student workers and I know Jonathan's knowledge stems directly from his interactions with them and the leadership that each of them brought to the department."
 
Briggs graduated from Southern Arkansas University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications: Mass Media.