Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/91702
UNDER THE DOME three years in the Chicago Bears media rela- tionships department. The Marquette graduate was named the director of football media rela- tions in 2007, and he has served as the main liaison between the Irish football team and the media since then. Hardin came to Notre Dame in 2005 after requests. That's why I always tell people, they say, 'Oh you must be really happy.' It's great, but it's busy. It's a good busy this year. "We've had busy years in the the undefeated start, is this as busy of a year as you and your e-mail inbox have had at Notre Dame? Hardin: "It's packed with more Blue & Gold Illustrated: With SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR BRIAN HARDIN Five Questions With … How much promoting or campaigning does a school do for their players in those awards? Hardin: "It varies from school to school. One of the benefits of being at Notre Dame is that people just know about some of your players naturally. "You're always on national TV so I don't think you have to pro- mote too many guys. It varies from player to player and school to school." involved are you in the politicking that goes into Associated Press polls and getting a good spot in the BCS rankings? Hardin: "Not too much. The Blue & Gold Illustrated: How past and they haven't always been the greatest of e-mails or requests, but this year it's been a really fun ride. It's been great." Hardin has served as Notre Dame's director of football dia management than it is about public relations or promotions. Not a knock on Kansas State, but they're sending out fliers promoting Colin Klein as the most valuable player. "We're not going to send out a flier like that Dame as much about being a gatekeeper as it is about being a promoter? Hardin: "Yeah, it is. It is much more about me- Blue & Gold Illustrated: Is your role at Notre media relations since 2007. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS fluence them. "There are so many outlets now that the fans and the reporters are more informed now than they have ever been in our history." a young star like Everett Golson for the media attention? Hardin: "There has to be a plan in place, and for Manti Te'o. Manti's national campaign airs on national television every Saturday. He's the only player in the country that gets that." Blue & Gold Illustrated: A lot of Irish players are up for end-of-the-year awards this season. Blue & Gold Illustrated: How do you prepare some of it is stuff that I've learned in the past whether it's here or at other stops that have either worked or backfired. Everett's a great kid and he's going to be a great interview in time. "We need to train him. He needs to be able to politicking I don't really get in- volved in because I think there is so much information available that the writers, the fans are far too intelligent for someone like me to call them up and try to in- be more comfortable and relaxed in this setting." — Dan Murphy