Salem State Athletics Welcomes Sydney Helmbrecht - Assistant Director for Athletic Communications and Event Management

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State University Director of Athletics Nicolle Wood is pleased to announce the hiring of Sydney Helmbrecht as Assistant Director for Athletics Communications and Event Management. Helmbrecht was selected in partnership with the NCAA through the organization's Strategic Alliance Matching Grant program.  

"We are really excited to have Sydney joining our staff, and grateful to the NCAA for continuing to offer programs such as the Strategic Alliance Matching Grant. As someone who was hired 14 years ago on the same grant, I know how important these opportunities can be for future leaders in collegiate athletics. Sydney's experience with DIII programs and focus on student-athlete experiences has prepared her for this next step, and we look forward to her getting started supporting our teams and coaches in their game day experience and overall journey as Vikings." 

Helmbrecht will work as an advisor for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), athletics community outreach and service, and will assist in the overall daily operation of the department of athletics, including event management, social media, sports information, and other areas of support to student experience. She will also serve as part of the athletics leadership team and will focus on department engagement and diversity; equity and inclusion efforts. 

Prior to joining the Vikings' staff, Helmbrecht served in the role of athletics and operations assistant at both Harvard University and Babson College, responsible for the management and operation of regular-season and postseason competitions. In addition, she oversaw scheduling for athletics facilities, organized event staff, student athletes, and volunteers for events and assisted with contacts and budgeting for special events. 

Previously, Helmbrecht served as the director of operations for the Boston College softball program, planning weekly activities and special events for team while managing its social media channels. 

"I'm very excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Salem State athletics department. I'm eager to get to work and help enhance the student athlete experience through social media and game day operations." 

Helmbrecht graduated from Boston College with a master's degree in sports administration and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New England in sport management.  

A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., she was a four-year member of the University of New England women's ice hockey and softball teams. The former captain was a four-time all-conference selection in softball and was named the Commonwealth Coast Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2017.