Athletic Insider Interview Series: Riley Damerell
In the year and a half that Riley Damerell has been here at Geneseo as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Media Relations, the school’s varsity teams have flourished. The Ice Knights reached the 2022 NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey championship, and teams such as track and field, along with swim and dive, have been extremely consistent in achieving major All-American and SUNYAC honors among their members during his tenure. Damerell’s competitive spirit and expansive skill set have made following these successes enjoyable for the entire Geneseo community.
Damerell’s athletic communications background began during his college career at SUNY Purchase; there, he majored in journalism, on top of being a standout in both varsity volleyball and tennis. He was an All-Skyline selection all four years in the latter team as well.
Off the court, Damerell worked as a student assistant in the school’s Sports Information Office (SID) and gained vital experience and knowledge that would follow him throughout his career. He described the athletic environment there as more casual and laid back than Geneseo’s, their primary goal being the student-driven experience.
After graduating in 2017, Damerell immediately began work in the role of Assistant Sports Information Director at SUNY New Paltz, where he stayed for a little more than a year. He was able to build some long-lasting relationships with both faculty and athletes while a part of the Hawks’ staff before moving to SUNY Maritime in Sept. 2018.
As a part of the Maritime College Privateers, Damerell made the jump to Sports Information Director and Assistant Compliance Officer in the school’s athletics department. He spoke quite fondly of his experience and that of those around him while at Maritime, as the athletics program served as a major outlet for the regiment-based students. The military aspect of the school provided a different feel for those involved but led to a great retention rate for both athletes and staff.
In Sept. 2021, Damerell took on his current position here at Geneseo after looking for opportunities closer to the Rochester region—he grew up in Brighton, just outside of the city. He expressed his enjoyment with the culture in the athletics department as one where any student can go to any coach or staff member and be helped through any issues be it athletically, academically, mentally, etc. He also lauded the entire staff within the department as valuing growth within themselves, their peers, and the students, both on and off the field.
While talking about the job, Damerell explained that his work is sometimes taxing, as he is only off about four Saturdays during the entirety of the school year while working games and completing tasks in the office like updating record books and the website for the department. He has found the work/life balance to be a bit tricky, but has discovered ways to not get burned out with the help of other SIDs, specifically Brett Ford who worked in Geneseo’s athletic department during the beginning of Damerell’s tenure, with whom he discusses the highs and lows of the position. One outlet for Damerell has been simply seeing the Knights recognized both athletically and academically on the national level, which is something he was unable to do at his previous institutions.
Damerell has been a fun and informative presence since he began his tenure at Geneseo and will continue his great work for the community while striving for both personal growth and better communication facilities, such as the excellent press boxes in the College Stadium. He exemplifies what it means to be an athletic communicator and information specialist at the collegiate level and couldn’t see himself leaving but would admittedly have to ponder about an office at Highmark Stadium if the Bills someday came calling.