Communication is a large aspect of any type of organization, including Washburn's athletic department. Athletics relies on the communication department for various tasks, such as recording statistics, taking photos at athletic events, working with the media promoting the student-athletes and publishing relevant news. 

Gene Cassell, assistant athletic director for athletic communications, leads the athletic communication department in these tasks for 23 years at Washburn. 

Cassell's passion for athletics began when he was young when he managed and took statistics for his middle school's eighth-grade basketball team as a seventh grader. Years later, he landed a position as a student worker at Northwest Missouri State University. While working towards his journalism degree, he was able to travel with the university's teams to cover sporting events. 

Cassell began at Washburn in 1998. He was drawn to Washburn for many reasons. "It's a really good family atmosphere between the coaching staff, the administration staff and the worker bees. Everybody gets along pretty well, and the teams are successful," Cassell said. 

Since Cassell has been at Washburn for over 20 years, he has experienced many changes within the department.  

One major change that has occurred is the progression and development of new technology. "Websites were really just starting when I got here," Cassell said. "At Northwest, you didn't have instant access to information like you do now. Photography and video to put online – that wasn't even thought of that long ago." 

Loren Ferré, director of athletics, hired Cassell for his knowledge and work ethic. He has also watched him improve over the years. 

"He has been my guru with social media," Ferré said. "He's really good at it, and he's kept us ahead of other schools. He's thorough, he is good with statistics and he has a great memory for things that transpire." 

Washburn's athletic department has also grown throughout the years. When Cassell began at Washburn, there were nine sports, but there are now 16 varsity sports. 

There have also been upgrades to campus and the athletic facilities, including the addition of a softball press box, the student recreation center and the indoor athletic facility.  

Cassell believes these improvements are important for both Washburn and the athletes. "Student-athletes want to compete in something that's not only going to give them a competitive advantage like the indoor facility. The track team has a place where they can practice all year long," Cassell said. 

Cassell has had to remain adaptable during his career in order to maneuver through the changes of both society and the athletic department. He also must remain flexible to keep up with the day-to-day changes that occur. 

"No two days are the same because you have different sports going, and different sports have different needs." Cassell said. 

Spring games often get canceled or rescheduled due to weather conditions. These types of changes, as well as other needs of the sports, are prepared for far in advance. 

"You always have to be working ahead. Otherwise, you will get messed up and you'll have to play catch-up," Cassell said.  

Cassell's job takes more time and effort than many people realize. Although a behind-the-scenes job, Ferré believes it is vital to the success in athletics. 

"We have a lot of folks that work and go unnoticed," Ferré said. "People are always appreciative, but they don't always express it because they just expect it. That's an area that doesn't always get a lot of people commenting about, unless you make a mistake."

Although there are difficult aspects of Cassell's job, there are also many pleasant aspects as well. Cassell enjoys being able to take photos, write sports articles and create designs for the department. 

He also enjoys the environment he works in. "I like being around sports and the people that are around here," Cassell said. "It's fun. We try to make it fun because you have to as long as the hours are that you work. It's a grind, but if you make some things fun out of it, I think it goes better." 

Cassell has also enjoyed getting to travel with the teams throughout the years. One of his favorite memories is getting to travel through Las Angeles, Calif. to Bakersfield in 2001 for the men's basketball national tournament and the women's basketball championship in 2005. 

Cassell also enjoys connecting with the athletes and reconnecting with them years after they leave Washburn. "We aren't around them as much as their coaches, but we try to do whatever we can to help them have a positive experience while they're here," Cassell said. "The stuff that we do, whether it's with the media guides or what we have on them on the website or posters, they keep and hang on to for when they can show their kids. I think that's relational; I think that's a pretty cool deal."