University of Minnesota Athletics

Athletic Communications


As the state's premier Division I institution, the University of Minnesota athletic department generates a high level of public interest and media coverage. Golden Gopher student-athletes are featured on television, radio, websites and in magazines and newspapers nationwide.

The University of Minnesota Athletic Communications office handles all media requests for Golden Gopher coaches and student-athletes. Media should contact the appropriate sport contact for information regarding access.

To obtain credentials, please click here.

Mailing Address
Athletic Communications, BFAB 250, 516 15th Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 

Athletic Communications Staff

RovnakPaul Rovnak
Sr. Associate AD / Communications
Biography | Email
(Football, Championships)		 Traversie Michelle Traversie
Assistant AD / Communications
Biography | Email
(Men's Basketball,
Community-External Outreach,
Championships)
Nardinger Karl Anderson
Associate Director
Email
(Football, Wrestling)		 Stevens EJ head shot E.J. Stevens
Assistant Director
Email
(Volleyball, Gymnastics)
Gauthier Trenten head shot Trenten Gauthier
Assistant Director
Email
(Football Social,
Track & Field,
Cross Country)		 Scott Slarks
Assistant Director
Email
(Men's Hockey, Rowing,
Men's Golf)
Olivia Puttin
Assistant Director
Email
(Soccer,
Women's Basketball)		 Rinehart Jagr Rinehart
Communications Assistant
Email
(Women's Hockey,
Softball)
LorenzLukas Lorenz
Communications Assistant
Email
(Baseball, Swim & Dive)		 John Romo
Digital Services Manager
Email
Dylan Peterson
Student Assistant
Email
(Tennis)		 Julia Orlando
Student Assistant
Email
(Women's Golf)
Aaron Kelley
Student Assistant
Email
(Men's Golf)

GOPHER ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS ALUMNI


Student Alumni
(email additions and updates to traen001@umn.edu)
  • Dylan Daniel (BA - Communication Studies, 2020), Minnesota Wild Media Relations Coordinator
  • Meaghan Frazier (BS Sport Management, 2019), Arkansas Assistant Director of Content Creation
  • Dan Galarneau (BS - Sports Management, 2019/MA Sports Management 2021), Gopher Social Media Strategist
  • Zane Goedderz (BS Strategic Communications and Communication Studies), Chattanooga Assistant Director Strategic Communications
  • Parker Jelen (BS Communications Studies, 2024), University of Minnesota Office of Admissions
  • Sadie Keller (BS Marketing, 2023), Minnesota Twins Brand Marketing Coordinator
  • Tory Kukowski (BS Sports Management, 2006), SIDEARM Digital Content Specialist
  • Kelly Kleine (BS Sports Management, 2013), Denver Broncos Exec. Director of Football Ops / Special Advisor to the GM
  • Chelsea Montes (BA Strategic Communications, 2013), Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Kids’ Food Basket
  • Maddy Olson (BA - Journalism, 2016), Minnesota Swimming Associate Head Coach
  • Emily Polglaze (BA Professional Journalism BA, 2017, MA Strategic Communications, 2020), Arkansas Assistant Communications Director
  • Olivia Puttin (BA Communication Studies, 2020/MA Georgia 2022), Gopher Athletic Communications Assistant Director
  • Jackson Riebel (BS Marketing/Communications, 2018), Minnesota Wild Senior Media Relations Coordinator
  • Logan Sass (BS Communication Studies, 2021), Stanford Assistant Communications Director
  • Gabe Schneider (BA - Journalism, 2022), Minnesota Lynx Social Media Coordinator
  • Rachel Timmerman (BA - Strategic Communications, 2017), Minnesota Vikings Partnership Activation Manager
  • Mitch Praxl (BS - Sports Management, 2013), Washington Athletic Communications Assistant Director of Digital Strategy
Intern Alumni
(email additions and updates to traen001@umn.edu)
  • Erich Bacher (interned from 1995-96), Virginia Assistant AD for Public Relations
  • Sullivan Bortner (interned from 2019-21), Florida Athletic Communications Associate Director
  • Jim Christman (interned from 1995-97), Chicago State Associate AD for Communications
  • Kyle Coughlin (interned from 1994-95), Big Ten Network Assignment Manager
  • Brian Deutsch (interned from 2010-11), Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Communications Specialist
  • Katie Frohmader (interned from 2023-24), College of Saint Mary Associate Athletic Director
  • Dan Galarneau (BS - Sports Management, 2019/MA Sports Management 2021), Gopher Social Media Strategist
  • Trenten Gauthier (interned from 2017-18), Gopher Athletic Communications Assistant Director
  • Parker Jelen (interned from 2024-25), University of Minnesota Office of Admissions
  • Tory Kukowski (interned from 2006-07), SIDEARM Digital Content Specialist
  • Kevin Kurtt (interned from 2001-02), Meet Minneapolis Public Relations & Communications Manager
  • Rhonda Lundin Bennett (interned from 1996-98), Pac 12 Associate Commissioner, Sports Management & Student-Athlete Engagement
  • Ryan Maus (interned from 2007-08), UnitedHealth Group Studio Manager
  • Taylor Nardinger (interned from 2016-17), Social Media Manager Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Maddy Olson (interned from 2016-17), Minnesota Swimming Associate Head Coach
  • John Romo (interned from 1997-99), Gopher Digital Services Manager
  • Logan Sass (interned from 2021-22), Stanford Assistant Communications Director
  • Josh Schmidt (interned from 2018-20), Social Media Coordinator at University of Maryland
  • Gabe Schneider (interned from 2022-23), Minnesota Lynx Social Media Coordinator
  • Ryan Tibbitts (interned from 2015-17), Communications Specialist for University of Minnesota CLA Career Services
  • Cody Voga (interned from 2015-16), Content and Media Strategist at Ball State University
  • Jackson Wright (interned from 2024-25), Minnesota Frost Ticket Account Manager & Ticket Sales