FIYou: Maegan Azpiazu

Name:  Maegan Azpiazu

Hometown: Wyalusing, Pa.

Job Title/Department: Assistant Athletic Director/Marketing & New Media (former Assistant Sports Information Director/Athletic Department, Media Relations)

Campus: MMC

In a nutshell: As an assistant SID, I am directly responsible for the PR/media relations efforts for the FIU indoor and sand volleyball teams, and women’s basketball team. I also work with the men’s basketball team as a secondary contact, do a lot with our social media platforms, and schedule game day staffing for most home events. This summer, I earned a master’s degree in recreation and sport management from FIU, and I also serve as a PantherFIT group fitness instructor at the FIU Recreation Center.

Number of years at FIU: 4

What do you enjoy most about your job?:  The opportunity to get student-athletes and coaches the recognition they deserve. I also like that each day in this industry is different. I’m never doing the same exact thing two days in a row.

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your department?: That our student-athletes need your support, day in and day out, on and off the court! Over the past two years, I was attending grad school while working full-time, and it was difficult at times. I was only taking six credits a semester, whereas these kids are taking 12-15 credits, all while attending weight lifting sessions, practices, study hall… not to mention the travel! I don’t think people realize how challenging it can be at times. So, visit FIUSports.com to check out the teams’ schedules, and call 305-FIU-GAME for tickets. STUDENTS: remember you are in FREE with your student ID!

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?: I don’t think I have a favorite spot in particular; I just enjoy walking around campus because all of it is so beautiful.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?: FIU is the biggest school you’ve never heard of. A lot of people don’t realize that FIU is actually one of the largest universities in the country with an enrollment of 50,000. And, it’s still growing!

How is FIU “Worlds Ahead”?: I’m really impressed with FIU’s recent push with social media efforts, across the board, and just in general with the university’s ability and willingness to keep things current.

Family snapshot: My parents live in northeast Pennsylvania in the small town I grew up in where my dad, Raul, is a real estate agent and my mom, Kim, is a nurse. I am the oldest of three children– my brother, Aaron, is an account director and producer for Ideas United and currently resides in Atlanta, while my youngest brother, Adam, is stationed in Norfolk, Va., with the U.S. Navy.

Word that best describes you:  Not sure there is just one, haha… outgoing, personable, hard-working.

First paying job:  I was a dance instructor with Eastern Cheer and Dance Association (ECDA) for a few summers toward the end of college (We Are… Penn State!). I traveled along the East Coast teaching dance camps at colleges, high schools, and studios.

Favorite TV show:  Pretty Little Liars, Duck Dynasty, Rizzoli and Isles, Million Dollar Listing to name a few. Go ahead, judge away!

What is playing on your iPod?: It honestly depends on my mood, and my collection is pretty random. This morning I was listening to worship music; right now I have some country playing at the office. Later, it could be anything from Rick Ross to Carrie Underwood to Israel Houghton.

Your proudest accomplishment: I have to talk about a few from during my time at FIU, starting with my first year here when both of my teams (volleyball and softball) had record-breaking seasons and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Having come from storied athletic programs at Penn State and Duke, great seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances were all I ever knew. To see those two teams have such great success and surprise a lot of people was a really special thing to be a small part of. I am also really proud of the All-America campaign that I’ve been able to execute for Jerica Coley and our women’s basketball program. She is an amazing, unassuming, and eternally grateful kid, and to be able to get her some recognition is awesome. Being able to be a small part of the sand volleyball program’s inaugural season was also a really great experience that I’m proud to be associated with.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?: Free time is hard to come by from September to May in the athletics world! When I do have some time, I like to hang out friends and family, serve at Metro Life Church and in the community, work out, lay at the pool, and just catch up on DVR and relax at home.