Kevin Manns is in his fifth year at Winston-Salem State University as Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations and Communications.
As the director, Manns’ office is responsible for the dissemination of information concerning Winston-Salem State University athletics, which serves as the curator of the University’s athletic records and as the liaison between the department, various media entities, professional athletic organizations, among other responsibilities.
Manns comes to WSSU after 15 years of service to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), with the past 11 years at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In 2003, Manns’ was instrumental in promoting SU star baseball player and current Milwaukee Brewers second baseman, Rickie Weeks, for National Player of the Year honors. Manns has the distinction of being the only HBCU SID in history, to ever successfully promote a player in NCAA Division I-A, for National Player of the Year honors.
Before arriving at Southern, Manns was instrumental in providing stability to the sports information office at Alabama State, while directing the school in the right direction with their athletic website and various media guides. He has also spent stints at Winston-Salem State University, where as SID, he worked alongside legendary basketball Coach, Clarence “Big House” Gaines.
Manns is a 1986 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia, where he was a three-year letterman and two-year starter on the Eagle football team. He also was a two-time high school All-American in track. He continued his collegiate football play at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C. In 1990, Manns earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
After graduation, he went on to do PR work for Craig Hodges, who was a member of the Chicago Bulls. Manns served as Assistant to the President of Pro-Exec Manage Group in Chicago, IL.
Manns was tabbed 2010-11 and 2007-08 SWAC Sports Information Director of the Year, as well as being named the inaugural winner of the 2007-08 Urban Sports SID of the Year. He is a member of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors Association), BCSIDA (Black College Sports Information Directors Association), and is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
