Jill Guise has been a mainstay in the Johns Hopkins press box , courtside and poolside since she joined the Blue Jays in 2006. In her tenure with the Blue Jays, Guise has hosted numerous Centennial Conference and NCAA Tournament events as well as promoted 56 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, 59 conference champions and 25 individual national champions.
Guise is this year's recipient of the Ann King Advocacy Award. The Ann King Advocacy Award is presented to a female with at least 15 years experience in the Sports Information/Athletic Communications field. The criteria for the award includes: the individual exhibiting strong advocacy for intercollegiate athletics; has mentored and improved the impact of women in the profession; and demonstrates passion to uplift those around them within the field.
King was a staple in the Sports Information/Athletic Communication field and spent 37 years in the profession. She was in her 15th season at Russell Sage College at the time of her passing, where she was hired as the institution's first full-time Director of Athletic Communications in the summer of 2009.
In addition to her work at Hopkins, Guise is the long time secretary of East-Comm.
Learn more about this year's Ann King Advocacy Award winner.
Q: What/who inspired you to get into the athletic communications field?
A: I have a bachelor's degree in anthropology and was working as a contract archaeologist in Raleigh, NC. I really was not enjoying it and decided to go back to school at NC State do something in sports. I had played soccer in high school and was also the manager/statistician for the boys' soccer and basketball teams. My grandfather knew a former SID from NC State and he helped me get a job in the Media Relations office there.
Q: In the ever changing world of athletic communications, what keeps you coming back to the job everyday
A: I love sports and the people and students that I work with. I can't imagine doing anything else with in my professional life.
Q: What's your favorite memory from your time in athletic communications?
A: I've been lucky enough to do some amazing things in my career. I have two memories that standout the most. I was at the 2014 NCAA Swimming Championships and got to see our women's team win seven national titles, including all five relays, and finish in third place, their highest finish ever. Then in 2023, I got the chance to go to the White House for College Athlete Day with our women's cross country and women's soccer national championship teams.
Q: You had the chance to interact with Anne King before she passed. What's one thing she mentioned in passing or you observed of her, that inspired you?
The most important thing I learned from Ann is that she always made time for people. Whether it was someone new to the field or a long-time colleague, she was always there to lend an ear, a hand or advice.
Q: What advice would you give females considering getting in the field?
Two things – go for it and find a mentor! There are so many great SIDs out there who willing to help, just don't be afraid to ask for it.
Q: What's it like for you to see three females, who interned under you thriving in this business and serving on the East Comm board?
A: I was lucky enough to have a few women mentors as I was coming up in the business, including Ann. I know what it meant to me to see other successful women in this field, and I try to do the same for the next generation. It makes me so happy to see more women in the field.
Q: What was your first thought when you heard you won the award?
A: My first thought was that I am not worthy and my second was that I'm honored and humbled. Ann was a trailblazer in our field and touched so many people, I hope I can live up to that legacy.
Q: If you could go back and give your younger self some advice what would it be?
A: Trust your instinct. You're going to have some bumps along the way, but it will all work out.
Q: You seem to have succeeded in finding a work/life balance. What's your best advice to others searching for it?
I've been blessed to work with someone in Ernie (Larossa), who has been very supportive of a work/life balance, but I know not everyone has that support. So, I would say to continue to advocate for yourself. The work is always going to be there. But you can't get that time with your kids, or your family, or your friends back.
