Photo by: Sydney Shelton
Traylor named Marshall's Associate Athletic Director of Communications
11/17/2022 1:49:00 PM | General
HUNTINGTON – Grant Traylor has been hired as Marshall's Associate Athletic Director of Communications, Marshall Director of Athletics Christian Spears announced Thursday.
Traylor, the 2021 West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, will oversee strategic communications and media relations for Marshall's athletic department to enhance Marshall's brand on a local and national scale through innovative and creative messaging that brings fans and the community closer to teams and student-athletes.
"Grant will absolutely help us tell the story of Marshall Athletics," Spears said. "He will embrace the role and connect our brand meaningfully, both regionally and nationally, as our university and athletic programs continue to compete at the highest level. He will join us in December and serve on our Senior Staff. We are thrilled for him and for Marshall."
In addition to facilitating the growth of Marshall's social media platforms and Herd Vision, Marshall's broadcasting arm, Traylor will work with Marshall's marketing department and sports information office to enhance Herdzone.com, Marshall's official athletics website, while overseeing Thundering Herd Illustrated, Marshall University's official athletics publication that provides exclusive content to Big Green members, based on their contribution level.
Traylor will also serve as a liaison for local and national media in their coverage of Marshall's athletics programs for game and event coverage, as well as press conferences.
"President Brad D. Smith and Director of Athletics Christian Spears have injected new energy into Marshall University and its athletics programs as the university begins its journey in the Sun Belt Conference," Traylor said. "Marshall's connection with the community has always been unparalleled due to its storied history, and I'm excited and honored for the opportunity to help preserve the message of that history while also helping to build Marshall's brand as it writes its next chapter in the Sun Belt Conference."
Traylor, 39, comes to Marshall after spending the last 15 years with HD Media, LLC, which owns many award-winning publications, such as The Herald-Dispatch, Charleston Gazette Mail and several weeklies throughout West Virginia. In addition to being named as the 2021 West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, Traylor was promoted to Regional Sports Director of HD Media in January 2022 where he oversaw sports operations for the company's entities. Prior to that, Traylor served as Sports Editor for The Herald-Dispatch and as Marshall University athletics beat writer for all of HD Media's publications.
"We are extremely excited to add Grant to our team," Spears said. "He is exceptionally talented, brings years of strategic communication experience, is genuinely connected with our people and our community, and brings enormous passion and purpose to his work."
A native of Lavalette and 2005 Marshall alum, Traylor attended Huntington High School (1997-99) before graduating from Wayne High School in 2000.
Traylor's family includes his 15-year-old daughter, Kyra, and his girlfriend, Christi Sloan.
Traylor, the 2021 West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, will oversee strategic communications and media relations for Marshall's athletic department to enhance Marshall's brand on a local and national scale through innovative and creative messaging that brings fans and the community closer to teams and student-athletes.
"Grant will absolutely help us tell the story of Marshall Athletics," Spears said. "He will embrace the role and connect our brand meaningfully, both regionally and nationally, as our university and athletic programs continue to compete at the highest level. He will join us in December and serve on our Senior Staff. We are thrilled for him and for Marshall."
In addition to facilitating the growth of Marshall's social media platforms and Herd Vision, Marshall's broadcasting arm, Traylor will work with Marshall's marketing department and sports information office to enhance Herdzone.com, Marshall's official athletics website, while overseeing Thundering Herd Illustrated, Marshall University's official athletics publication that provides exclusive content to Big Green members, based on their contribution level.
Traylor will also serve as a liaison for local and national media in their coverage of Marshall's athletics programs for game and event coverage, as well as press conferences.
"President Brad D. Smith and Director of Athletics Christian Spears have injected new energy into Marshall University and its athletics programs as the university begins its journey in the Sun Belt Conference," Traylor said. "Marshall's connection with the community has always been unparalleled due to its storied history, and I'm excited and honored for the opportunity to help preserve the message of that history while also helping to build Marshall's brand as it writes its next chapter in the Sun Belt Conference."
Traylor, 39, comes to Marshall after spending the last 15 years with HD Media, LLC, which owns many award-winning publications, such as The Herald-Dispatch, Charleston Gazette Mail and several weeklies throughout West Virginia. In addition to being named as the 2021 West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, Traylor was promoted to Regional Sports Director of HD Media in January 2022 where he oversaw sports operations for the company's entities. Prior to that, Traylor served as Sports Editor for The Herald-Dispatch and as Marshall University athletics beat writer for all of HD Media's publications.
"We are extremely excited to add Grant to our team," Spears said. "He is exceptionally talented, brings years of strategic communication experience, is genuinely connected with our people and our community, and brings enormous passion and purpose to his work."
A native of Lavalette and 2005 Marshall alum, Traylor attended Huntington High School (1997-99) before graduating from Wayne High School in 2000.
Traylor's family includes his 15-year-old daughter, Kyra, and his girlfriend, Christi Sloan.