The Real Athlete Blog

Expert Contributor: Jason Krump

Biography

Jason G. Krump is the Communications Manager for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Washington State University and has over a decade of experience in the collegiate and professional athletic communication fields. He earned his Bachelor in Arts in Communication at Washington State University and Master of Science in Physical Education at Eastern Washington University.

An avid writer and fitness enthusiast, Jason has published a book "Identification of Athletes by Athletes at a Division I University: Gauging the media’s role in their identification," and his stories have earned honors in the Writer’s Digest National Writing Competition.

Jason has run in Bloomsday, a 12 kilometer road race held annually in Spokane, Wash., and has worked in a media relations capacity at major sporting events including the PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, Kentucky Derby, NCAA Basketball Championships, Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

Most Recent Articles

Embracing Challenges

by Jason Krump 01-01-2012 11:59 PM Human Relations | Education

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What challenges do you embrace?

Before you answer, hear from a person who knows a thing or two about the topic.

To do so, sit in with the Washington State University football team on the morning of one of its biggest games of the year.

On the night of Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, the Cougars will host the Arizona State Sun Devils at Martin Stadium. The game will be nationally televised and be played in front of a capacity Dad's Weekend crowd.

Viewed as prohibitive underdogs to the Sun Devils, the Cougars hold their pregame walkthrough that morning at the Indoor Practice Facility.

As the players enter the facility they notice an individual waiting for them. They gather around, and for the next 15 minutes, listen to his message.

The person delivering the message is Steve Gleason.

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Think Before You Tweet

by Jason Krump 06-21-2011 01:09 AM Social Media | Public Relations

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7237 Views

Mere moments after winning the U.S. Open, thousands of Twitter followers viewed an exclusive picture of the championship trophy as seen through the eyes of the champion.

When Rory McIlroy took with his camera phone, snapped a picture of the trophy, and posted it to his Twitter account (all while seated at the media center during his news conference), he allowed potentially millions of people to see an exclusive picture that members of the media, who, ironically were shown in the background behind the trophy, could not provide.

The only thing better would have been if McIlroy took out his phone and snapped a picture on the 18th green, immediately after sinking his final putt.

That day may soon be coming.

For McIlroy, sharing the photo was a way to let his fans join in the celebration of his victory.

For the rest of us, it is just the latest example that demonstrates the power Twitter holds.

On the same day McIlroy began his historic U.S. Open run, ex-congressman Anthony Weiner resigned after the uproar initiated by his posting of lewd photos on Twitter.

In May, the raid of Osama bin Laden was unknowingly live tweeted by Sohaib Athar, who lived near the site of the raid. Keith Urbahn, Chief of Staff for Donald Rumsfeld, tweeted the news of bin Laden’s death first, thereby setting off an explosion of tweets that broke the news worldwide before the major news organizations had the chance to.

The bin Laden story also made an impact in the athletics world on Twitter when NFL player Rashard Mendenhall sparked controversy with his tweets. Soon after the Mendenhall storm, fellow NFL player Reggie Bush caused his own commotion with his failed attempt at humor on the NFL lockout.

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The NFL’s Worst Moment is Ahead

by Jason Krump 05-17-2011 11:56 PM Special Event | Human Relations

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Nearly a decade ago, the NFL experienced its finest moment.

It was when then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue halted the league for a week in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, another great moment is supposed to be ahead for the NFL.

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 occurs this year on a Sunday. As it happens, it coincides with the first Sunday of the 2011 NFL season.

The NFL recognizes and even embraces this by scheduling games at New York and Washington (the Giants are at the Redskins and the Jets are hosting the Cowboys). In addition, the league is promoting the tributes on its website.

Picture it now. Unforgettable images of packed stadiums across the country, including New York and Washington, filled with fans waving the American Flag, patriotism, and tributes to the victims of Sept. 11 and our military.

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Lessons from the Jay Cutler Story

by Jason Krump 02-03-2011 10:45 PM Human Relations | Social Media

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Not that there needs to be another piece on the Jay Cutler saga, especially now that it seems the furor has died down (unless you are a Chicago Bears fan, like me), but the story does offer lessons about the ever-increasing influence of social media and the power of perception.

First a couple of disclaimers.

1) As I have already mentioned, I am a die-hard Bears fan which leads to…

2) …that I, too, joined the multitude of fans, who offered their thoughts via Twitter on Cutler leaving the Jan. 23 NFC Championship Game.

So what motivated me to express my opinion?

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On the Record

by Jason Krump 07-15-2010 12:52 AM Public Relations

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What constitutes on the record and off the record reporting? Recently, a news event occurred that raised questions on this topic. It occurred outside the athletic arena, but the lesson the story offers is applicable to the sports world.

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The Miracle on Ice: 30 Years Later

by Jason Krump 02-21-2010 06:48 PM Special Event | Sports Psychology

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It was the greatest moment in American sports history, creating the greatest broadcast call in history, and creating great memories for millions of Americans in 1980 and the ensuing 30 years.

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Haiti Tragedy Reveals True Purpose of Sports

by Jason Krump 01-23-2010 11:50 PM Philanthropy

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There’s no doubt that what happens on the field or court has minuscule importance when compared to the tragedy unfolding in Haiti. But when a calamity of this scope takes place, it reveals the true purpose of sports.

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A Time to be Thankful

by Jason Krump 11-11-2009 12:26 AM Special Event | Human Relations

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1500 Views

The month of November has two Thanksgiving days. One is the recognized day on the fourth Thursday of November. And the other? Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

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A Tribute to My Sports Hero

by Jason Krump 10-31-2009 04:49 PM Human Relations

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3675 Views

Throughout his remarkable career, Walter Payton compiled statistics that provided evidence of just how complete a football player he was. I am reminded of his greatness on the 10th anniversary of the death of this sports icon, and my sports hero.

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Hello Access Athletes Community

by Jason Krump 10-08-2009 12:29 AM Public Relations

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I am privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to serve as a contributor to Access Athletes. I believe it would be appropriate to use this occasion to introduce myself and provide some background information on me.

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