June 9, 2000
Morgan Burke, director of intercollegiate athletics, announced that he has appointed Jay Cooperider, assistant director of university periodicals, to a newly created position, director of athletic communications and information services.
The appointment will take effect July 24, when a reorganization of the Office of Athletic Public Relations and Communications is implemented.
"This reorganization of our services for the media and Purdue fans is intended to continue our efforts to offer the quality all of us have come to expect of intercollegiate athletics at Purdue University, whether on or off the field," Burke said.
Cooperider is managing editor of Purdue Perspective, the quarterly newspaper mailed to more than 350,000 alumni, parents of undergraduate students, faculty and staff, and friends of the university. He also is editor of Inside Purdue, the newspaper published for faculty and staff on the West Lafayette, Calumet, Fort Wayne and North Central campuses.
"Jay brings a depth of knowledge about university constituencies and a background that will serve intercollegiate athletics well," Burke said. "He will aggressively pursue opportunities for us to exploit technologies such as the Internet and video to better serve the legions of Boilermakers fans around the world."
The athletic public relations and communications office is responsible for press releases, press conferences, videotaping practices and games, media guides and yearbooks, media relations, and banquets for the 18 men's and women's intercollegiate sports, as well as the official Purdue sports page on the World Wide Web. In addition, the office coordinates game-day activities such as coverage on the Jumbotron and message boards and on-field presentations and ceremonies, as well as community service appearances for coaches and athletes, and a speakers bureau. The office also provides support for and coordination with mascots, cheerleaders and Purdue Bands.
Cooperider will serve as spokesman for the department in addition to directing the athletic public relations office.
"Jay's function will be primarily to manage the communication and information elements of intercollegiate athletics," Burke said. "In addition, he will serve on marketing and technology teams charged with taking the administrative functions that support our athletic program to the highest level."
Jim Vruggink, athletic public relations director, will assume a new role as director of media and public relations. He will coordinate all contacts with Indiana and national media covering the Boilermakers. He also will provide communication support for several teams.
"Jim has a gift for working with the media, especially in a game-day atmosphere," Burke said. "This reorganization allows Jim to focus on his strengths."
Cooperider came to Purdue in 1988 after nearly four years working at the Lafayette Journal and Courier as a reporter, projects editor and city editor. Initially, he was science writer for the Agricultural Communication Service and University News Service, the assistant director in the Office of Publications before helping create the Office of University Periodicals in 1993. He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Cincinnati.
Burke said the reorganization of the athletic public relations office is part of an ongoing review of the administrative units that support the coaches and the 450 student-athletes who compete for Purdue.