Colorado State University Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director
Contact: Football, MG
- Email:
- Phone:
- (970) 305-7382
Jeff Schmidt joined Colorado State Athletics in June 2017 and currently serves as the Director of Strategic Communications and Brand Enhancement. In this role, he oversees all aspects of media relations and brand storytelling for the football and men’s golf programs, leading initiatives that elevate the visibility and reputation of Colorado State Athletics. Schmidt manages the football program’s communications strategy, from message development and media relations to content creation, storytelling, and historical documentation. He also collaborates across departments to advance creative initiatives, conduct media training, and ensure cohesive, high-impact coverage across all platforms.
Schmidt began his tenure at Colorado State as a Communications Coordinator, overseeing the nationally recognized volleyball program, which had captured 17 Mountain West regular-season championships and appeared in 25 consecutive NCAA Tournaments—the seventh-longest streak in the nation at the time. His work highlighted numerous Mountain West and national honors, including promoting standout Katie Oleksak, the conference’s first and only three-time Player of the Year in any sport and a four-time AVCA All-American. He also chronicled the career of Hall of Fame Head Coach Tom Hilbert, including his multiple Mountain West Coach of the Year awards and career milestones.
In 2019, Schmidt also directed communications efforts for the Rams’ softball program, celebrating the team’s first Mountain West Championship since 2003 and its return to the NCAA Tournament. His coverage featured major honors such as Jen Fisher’s Coach of the Year and Amber Nelson’s Player of the Year recognition.
Promoted to Assistant Director ahead of the 2020 season, Schmidt expanded his leadership as the primary contact for women’s basketball and secondary contact for football. His tenure included publicizing the program’s first All-American in 25 years when McKenna Hofschild earned AP honors following the 2022–23 season. Hofschild would go on to repeat as an All-American and finish her career rewriting both Mountain West and Colorado State record books.
Before arriving in Fort Collins, Schmidt served in Oregon State’s athletic communications office during the 2016–17 season, acting as the primary contact for softball, women’s soccer, and swimming. There, he worked closely with four-time Olympian and USA Softball Head Coach Laura Berg as the Beavers advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Schmidt’s earlier experience includes two years as Assistant Athletic Communications Director at Southwest Minnesota State University, where he managed publicity for nationally ranked volleyball, softball, women’s basketball, wrestling, and tennis programs. He began his career as a sports information intern at Bethel University (Minn.), his alma mater, following a four-year football career as an offensive lineman and team captain. He was named a Second Team All-American his senior season.
Schmidt earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University in 2014 and an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Southwest Minnesota State in 2016.
Personal Information
Hometown:Â Fergus Falls, MN
Family: Wife – Emily / Children – Lennie
Education:Â Bethel University (B.A., 2014); Southwest Minnesota State University (MBA, 2016)
Birthday:Â July 27
Schmidt Experience
2017-Present:Â Colorado State (Communications Coordinator, 2017-19; Assistant Director, 2020-23); Director, 2024-Present)
2016-2017:Â Oregon State (Communications Assistant)
2014-2016:Â Southwest Minnesota State (Assistant Athletic Communications Director)
2014:Â Bethel [MN] (Sports Information Intern)
Playing Career
Bethel University (Minn.) – Offensive Line (2010–13)
