Mike Cummings Joins Media Relations Staff

Aug. 22, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Mike Cummings has been named assistant media relations director at the University of Kansas, school officials announced Tuesday. Cummings, a native of Fargo, N.D., will oversee the publicity of KU’s soccer and baseball programs.

Cummings spent the 2005-06 athletic seasons as an intern in the Virginia Tech media relations office where he worked primarily with the school’s women’s soccer and swimming/diving teams. Before arriving in Blacksburg, Va., he spent five years as a student/graduate assistant in the sports information office of his alma mater — the University of North Dakota — where he served as the primary contact for baseball, soccer and women’s tennis. His 2005 baseball media guide was voted “Best in the Nation” (Division B) by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) while his 2005 soccer media guide finished second in the country.

In addition, assistant media relations director Beau White has been named graphic designer for the athletics department after serving the last four seasons as women’s basketball/assistant football contact. In addition to his new graphic design duties, White will continue to assist with the football program.

Assistant media relations director Brandon Holtz will assume the role of women’s basketball contact. Holtz spent his first year at KU as the publicist for the soccer and baseball teams.

Media Relations office manager Candace Dunback has been hired as curator of the Booth Family Hall of Athletics. The former five-time KU All-American on the track will oversee the operation of the multi-million dollar facility.