Michael Weisman has served as the Director of Communications for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) for eight years. Born and raised in Oxford, Ohio, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in 2008 and also worked in Ohio University’s athletic department for a year upon graduation. Weisman then returned home to Oxford in 2009, working as an assistant director of athletic communications at Miami University for four years, before moving to Colorado Springs in the fall of 2013 when the NCHC first began play. In the offseason, he enjoys traveling, hiking, playing ultimate and tennis. Weisman is an avid follower of sports, as well, especially football, soccer and of course, hockey. He resides in Colorado Springs with his cat, Emmie.
What do you do for a living? What brought you down that path?
I work for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) as their Director of Communications. I oversee the NCHC’s website (www.nchchockey.com), digital network (NCHC.tv) and social media channels, while assisting with media relations, marketing and more. I have always been a big sports fan so I knew I wanted to work in sports. From a young age I was interested in the media side, first thinking I wanted to do television, and then switching to print sports journalism in college, before ending up in athletic communications as my career path.
Tell us something that makes you stand out from the crowd? This can be a talent, life-experience, unique hobby.
My middle name is Harlan and my initials, MHW, can be flipped upside down and they will still read MHW. Also, I’m an only child (no siblings).
What is one experience that has shaped you to be the person you are today?
Going away to college was my first time living an extended period of time away from family and it helped me become a much more independent person. I also served as president of a fraternity while in college, which helped me learn to deal with problematic situations on the fly and that you can’t always please everyone when people disagree with you. Those were all good learning experiences that have been applicable to life and my jobs since then.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self, especially as a kid/teenager, to enjoy and soak in all the fun times and moments you get to have with family and friends.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? On what and why? (personal or professional)
Registration (+ donation) for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s annual Run to the Shrine (occurs May 15-16). It will force me to start running again and getting back in shape. Plus it supports a good cause in the Zoo and it’s the only time people can run/walk up to the Shrine of the Sun, which offers awesome views of Colorado Springs.
What is the one book that you recommend our audience should read and why?
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram Kendi. It does a great job of offering different perspectives and explaining how everyone can be part of the solution and think differently towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society in all facets of life.
What is your favorite quote?
“Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.” – Elbert Hubbard
What local businesses would you recommend our readers support?
Panino’s restaurant (a few locations around town)
Olde World Bagel & Deli
Trinity Brewery
What local nonprofit would you recommend our readers support?
Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region or Springs Rescue Mission
What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced and how did you overcome it?
I tore the ACL in my left knee in college, which was my first serious injury/accident, and had to have surgery and go through a 9-month rehab to be able to run and play recreational sports again. Then seven years later, I tore the ACL in my right knee and had to do it all again. That was even tougher the second time around, knowing how long a process it is. The first time through, my drive to want to play sports again, especially going into my senior year of college, made me work hard to rehab. The second time around, knowing it was successful the first time, helped pull me through even if I didn’t always want to do the rehab.
What is your most memorable childhood experience? This can be good or bad.
A few stand out:
- My Bar Mitzvah when I was 13, with all my family and friends in town to celebrate something I’d worked hard for
- Two vacations with family – one to the Grand Canyon and one to Hawaii
- Getting the tip of my middle finger cut off in my friend’s front door as a young kid and having to go to the hospital for the first time as an emergency
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My dad, who passed away in 2003. He worked hard and established successful local bars/restaurants in our hometown to provide for myself and our family. He is also the reason I am a huge sports fan and part of why I work in sports.
If you had a superpower what would it be and why?
Invisibility so I could hide quickly and go anywhere and hear things without people knowing.
What 3 (only) items would you bring to a deserted island?
iPhone, my cat and a lighter (for fire/light)
Which are your favorite 5 spots in Colorado?
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- Hanging Lake (near Glenwood Springs)
- Garden of the Gods
- On top of a 14er (Pikes Peak or Mt. of the Holy Cross among the ones I’ve been on so far)
- Quail Lake in Colorado Springs (I live by the lake)
Which is the next destination on your wishlist?
Australia is my dream destination, but a return trip to Europe is next (Germany and other countries TBD)