Baylor Journalism Professor Maxey Parrish Named in 2019 CoSIDA Hall of Fame Class

Media Contact: Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-1961
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by Jessie Jilovec, student newswriter, Baylor University Media and Public Relations

WACO, Texas (March 8, 2019) – Maxey Parrish, senior lecturer of journalism, public relations and new media in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, was named as a member of the 2019 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame class.

CoSIDA honors outstanding contributions to the organization or member organizations. Parrish was one of six new Hall of Fame inductees. According to the CoSIDA website, it is made up of approximately 3,000 intercollegiate athletic media relations and communications professionals from colleges, universities and athletic conferences in the United States and Canada.

Parrish has served as the president for the group, which he said was a great honor. He said he believes CoSIDA makes the profession better while providing fellowship and friendship.

“Being a member of the CoSIDA Hall of Fame means more to me than I can say,” Parrish said. “To be mentioned with the great people who've worked in this profession is beyond humbling.”

From Baylor, Parrish earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and a Master of Science degree in education. He was the director of internet operations and sports information director at Baylor from 1980 to 2000. He has been in the department of journalism, public relations and new media since 2001.

During his time as a Baylor student, Parrish was the assistant sports editor of the Baylor Lariat. He ran for the Baylor track and cross country teams for two years. He worked in the sports information department for Baylor athletics for one of his public relations courses.

While working at conference track championships just before graduation, Parrish was approached by his a man from Southern Methodist University who told him to submit a resume. He was hired as an assistant sports information director.

Parrish said Bob Condron, his first boss, taught him not only the business side of public relations, like writing a press release or hosting a news conference, but also work ethic.

“He taught me about attitude, work ethic and doing whatever it takes to get the job done,” Parrish said. “One of his sayings was, ‘Work it out.’ In other words, don't complain, don't look for someone else to do it, just get the job done. Work it out.”

Condron continued on to lead PR efforts for the U.S. Olympic Committee. Through him, Parrish worked at several national and international events for U.S. teams around the world. He was responsible for the publicity for the U.S. track and field team in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Parrish said being mentioned with the other great people in the profession through CoSIDA is humbling.

“I believe the best PR people in the world, in any field, are the men and women in sports PR,” Parrish said. “Nobody else does what they do. They're behind the scenes shining the light on others in the most high-profile situations, not getting big paychecks or personal recognition, but instead doing it for the love of the profession.”

Sara Stone, Ph.D., chair and professor in the department of journalism, public relations and new media, said students benefit from the wealth of knowledge Parrish has from his professional experience.

“When Maxey talks to his students about meeting deadlines, about dealing with the media and sports information offices at other schools, about promoting the university’s image, about the importance of accuracy and timeliness in writing, he has first-hand experience at all of those things,” Stone said. “You can’t buy that kind of experience when you are hiring professors.”

Parrish will be honored alongside nearly 60 other members at the CoSIDA 2019 Special Awards at the 62nd annual convention in June in Orlando, Florida. Parrish and the other winners will have plaques displayed at the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“Working in athletics is more than a job; it's a lifestyle,” Parrish said. “I used to average 60 to 65 hours a week, seven days a week. I couldn't have done that without a supportive family. So there are many, many people to thank.”

For more information, visit the journalism website.

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