SLIPPERY ROCK — From sports information to athletic communication.

Two words replacing two others — and transforming an entire industry in terms of collegiate athletics.

Slippery Rock University's Jon Holtz, director of athletic communication, could see where his field was trending from the start. Holtz arrived at SRU as assistant sports information director in 2009.

“The job used to be keeping statistics and getting information out to the media,” Holtz said.

He was hired as director of athletic communication in 2014.

“You could see where things were heading with social media, video streaming, digital networking ... This became a whole new world,” Holtz said. “When I started here, we didn't do any video. Now we have our own digital network where people can download and watch our games in different sports anytime.”

Tyler McIntosh is Holtz's assistant director and Ryan Sargent is this year's graduate assistant. There is also an approximate 15-member student staff.

That overall group recently combined to win 19 national awards for publications, design, writing, video streaming and the SRU website. Holtz's staff has led all Division II programs in that regard for five consecutive years.

Among the staff's awards are honors for Game and Event Coverage, Streaming Content, GameDay Programs, Sport Program Covers, and Athletic Event Coverage on social media.

“The work they do is phenomenal, unparalleled,” SRU athletic director Paul Lueken said. “In terms of graphics, presentation, digital networking, they are the best around.

“Their work is on a par — in many cases better — than many Division I schools and they don't have the resources the bigger schools do.

“Jon and Tyler, their staff ... They're grinders. They do what it takes to get the job done,” Lueken added.

McIntosh agreed with that description.

“We don't do anything half-heartedly,” he said. “If we can't do it 100 percent all the way, we won't put it out there. I think that commitment shows a lot.”

McIntosh was a graduate assistant in The Rock's athletic communications program seven years ago. He served as sports information director at Division II Concord (W.Va.) for two years before returning to SRU as Holtz's assistant.

“I had a great experience as graduate assistant here,” McIntosh said. “I learned a lot at Concord, but when the opportunity arose to come back to Slippery Rock, knowing what I did about Jon and the operation there ... It was a no-brainer.”

While McIntosh is an assistant by title, he's much more in Holtz's eyes.

“We pretty much divide things up,” Holtz said. “I feel like we have two full-time communication directors in this office and that's such a plus.”

McIntosh is part of a string of graduate assistants in SRU's athletic communications department to go on to successful careers. Following him were:

James Tinkey, now associate director of marketing and promotions at the University of Detroit.

Maddie Williams Hoffman, now athletic director at Hickory High School.

Ben Matos, now associate athletic director at the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

SRU's department success has to do with atmosphere as much as ability, McIntosh said.

“It's a job, it's work, there's stressful times,” he said. “But we keep it light and make it fun, too. It's important to make that part of the experience to keep students working with you.”

The hours can be long.

Particularly long if you're head of the department.

“I worked more than 100 straight days last fall, from the end of August right up until Christmas,” Holtz said. “I probably averaged 70 hours a week during that stretch.”

Holtz married his wife, Andie, in August of 2018.

“She's come to respect and appreciate what it takes to do this job well,” Holtz said. “And, believe me, I appreciate that.

“You can't be married and do this job without a supportive spouse. You just can't.”