Erica Fricke, award-winning editor of Illinois State mens basketball game magazines in 1999 and 2000, is returning to her alma mater as assistant director of media relations for the athletics department.
Fricke, a 24-year-old native of Jacksonville, Ill., earned a bachelors degree in communications in 1999 and a masters degree in sports administration in 2001, both at Illinois State.
She began working with Redbird media relations in 1998 as a student intern, earning a graduate assistants position a year later. Frickes work caused her to be chosen to work media relations for several major events during her time at ISU, including the 1999 NCAA Midwest Regional womens basketball tournament at Illinois State and the 2001 Womens Final Four at St. Louis.
While a graduate assistant, Fricke served as an editor of the Redbird mens basketball program which was judged No. 1 in the nation by College Sports Information Directors of America in both 1999 and 2000. For both publications, Fricke served as a co-editor with Andy Knapick, the person she is replacing. Knapick is leaving Illinois State to join the athletics media relations staff at the University of Louisville, where he will be media relations liaison for Cardinal football.
Fricke also served as lead media relations contact for ISUs 2000 and 2001 Redbird softball teams, both of which earned NCAA Tournament bids. After completing her masters degree, Fricke joined the sports publishing unit at Multi-Ad Services in Peoria as a customer service representative. Now, she will serve as media relations liaison for Redbird baseball, serve as coordinator of the Redbirds award-winning web site and provide creative communications services for many functions in Redbird athletics.
Redbird media relations director Todd Kober worked with Fricke during her first two years at Illinois State. He has plans to expand the scope of her position, with greater responsibilities for assisting with more sports.
"I'm excited to welcome Erica back to the Redbird family," Kober said. "She really raised the bar for graduate assistants in our office and I expect her to do the same in her new capacity. Erica's knowledge of the business and this department are impeccable and we're extremely fortunate to find someone with her ability and talents on such short notice."
Fricke is looking forward to returning home to Redbird athletics.
Illinois State is home, said Fricke. Its where I learned so much about being a professional. I have had some wonderful opportunities to grow professionally and now, theres no better place to apply those skills than at Illinois State. Im grateful to Todd and to ISU for the opportunity to come home.
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