Story courtesy of PNW's sports information department
HAMMOND, Ind. – Purdue University Northwest has hired Derrick Blyberg as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information, Marketing & Event Management.
Blyberg, who brings nearly 10 years of experience, will serve as primary media contact for PNW's 15 sports while leading digital communication strategies for the athletics department. His responsibilities include serving as managing editor of PNWathletics.com and social media channels, leading department video and streaming efforts, overseeing statistics, assisting with ticketing and sponsorship activation, and coordinating support staff.
"I am thrilled to be joining the PNW Pride family and I want to thank Rick Costello for this amazing opportunity," Blyberg said. "One thing that stood out during the interview process is PNW's strong commitment to the development and support of its students. There is positive momentum since PNW transitioned to NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. I am excited to get an opportunity to help elevate the PNW brand in Northwest Indiana and beyond."
Blyberg spent the previous five years at Urbana University, a Division II school in Urbana, Ohio, where he was hired as Sports Information Director in 2015 and promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications in 2017. He was awarded the Urbana University Core Value Award for "Excellence" in 2018.
"I am excited Derrick Blyberg will join the Pride of PNW," stated Rick Costello, Director of Athletics. "He brings tremendous enthusiasm and outstanding experience in college athletics. I look forward to Derrick utilizing his expertise in video, graphics and social media to tell the story of the Pride."
Blyberg successfully promoted numerous UU student-athletes, coaches, and teams for awards during his tenure with the Blue Knights, including 2019-20 All-American Tyra James in women's basketball. In total, Blyberg led promotional efforts for four All-Americans, eight Academic All-Americans, and publicized the 2018-19 MEC Play of the Year. He also facilitated viral highlight clips in football, soccer and volleyball that were picked up by global media outlets including ESPN and Yahoo.
At UU, Blyberg sat on several committees and served as NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Chair for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). He also served as media host for the first NCAA Championship hosted on Urbana's campus during a men's soccer postseason run in 2016. In addition, Blyberg volunteered at neighboring schools including the First Four NCAA Men's Basketball Championship games hosted at University of Dayton.
Prior to Urbana, Blyberg spent time working in the athletic communications offices at Middle Tennessee State University, University of Toledo, and Taylor University.
A native of Liberty Township, Ohio, Blyberg earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management from Taylor University. He will reside in Northwest Indiana with his wife, Kate.