The Sun Devil SID
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Sun Devil Fanatics! A Sun Devil Story
Here’s a piece I wrote thought you would enjoy.
More Than Three Decades With Doug: The Heart Behind ASU’s Sports Information
For more than 10 years, I’ve watched Doug Tammaro work behind the scenes at Arizona State. Sitting down with him recently gave me a glimpse into how he continues to navigate a role that has changed more in the past few seasons than in the rest of his career combined.
As senior associate athletic director for media relations, Tammaro has been part of Sun Devil Athletics since 1993, a remarkable 32-year tenure. Based in Tempe, he serves as the primary media-relations contact for men’s basketball and men’s golf, but the role now goes far beyond game notes and stat sheets.
A Role That Never Stops Expanding
Today’s SID must be equal parts storyteller, crisis manager, mentor, media trainer, and even archivist. With NIL deals, the transfer portal, expanded media platforms, and growing public scrutiny, new duties get piled on while few ever disappear. Tammaro summed it up simply: put people first.
That philosophy shows up in quiet but crucial ways. He listens to players suddenly thrust into brand deals and agent negotiations. He helps them shape their narratives so they can represent themselves authentically. He stands beside coaches when the spotlight burns hot, making sure the facts are straight and the coverage is fair. To athletes wrestling with identity and expectation, Tammaro isn’t just PR, he’s part of the team.
Stewardship and Legacy
His longevity brings institutional memory few can match. A Baldwin-Wallace graduate from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Tammaro has worked 16 NCAA Final Fours in media coordination roles, helped launch Pat’s Run in memory of Pat Tillman, and remains active with the Pat Tillman Foundation. He also directs ASU’s media relations internship program, mentoring students who go on to shape the next generation of sports communications.
His work shines a light on a bigger truth: while star coaches and athletes get the headlines and the paychecks, middle management professionals like SIDs are asked to do more with less. Their recognition rarely matches their impact. Tammaro’s awards, including the 2024 Katha Quinn Award from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the 2022 University Division Achievement Award from College Sports Communicators, are well-earned reminders of his influence.
What Really Matters
What keeps him going isn’t glory or spotlight, it’s care. Coaches and athletes know he’ll show up when it matters most. He protects their stories, helps them grow, and makes sure dignity isn’t lost in the noise of public attention. His work is a reminder that real communication isn’t spin. It’s trust, consistency, and empathy.
As someone beginning my own career in strategic communication, that lesson resonates deeply. Stats and headlines will always change, but relationships endure. Watching Tammaro taught me that the quiet skills, listening, protecting, guiding, matter more than any broadcast package.
Behind every game day, every press release, and every media moment are professionals like Doug Tammaro, doing the invisible labor that holds the center together. It deserves recognition, not just applause. Until then, it’s the care they bring that keeps the Sun Devil story, and the athletes within it, steady and strong.
