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Five Minutes with Mandy Hansen
5/14/2020 4:47:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Get to know the coaches and staff members who support the Gopher women's hockey program.
MINNEAPOLIS -- From the coaching staff to the support staff, the Gopher women's hockey team has a knowledgeable, passionate group of people dedicated to supporting its student-athletes both on and off the ice. Get to know the people behind the program who support the Gophers in their athletic and academic endeavors, this week featuring the team's communications contact, Mandy Hansen.
Gopher Sports: When did you start working at the University of Minnesota?
Mandy Hansen: I began working at the University of Minnesota in August 2013.
GS: What's your alma mater and what did you study in college?
MH: I attended the College of St. Scholastica for undergrad where I majored in Communications and English. I completed my master's degree in Public Relations at the University of Denver, and I'm currently working on my M.Ed. in Sport Management here at the University of Minnesota.
GS: What does your job entail?
MH: Athletic communications demands a wide skill set and entails a variety of responsibilities including coordinating media relations, creating content for GopherSports.com, writing press releases and features, running social media channels, managing the press box on game days, creating media materials, maintaining records, stats and archives, and more. The variety of tasks keeps me engaged, and there are endless opportunities to try new things.
GS: How did you get into your field?
MH: I started working in the sports information office at St. Scholastica when I was a sophomore in college, and I quickly realized the field combines two of my greatest passions in sports and writing.
GS: How did you get into your current position at the University of Minnesota?
MH: After graduate school and a post-graduate internship, I knew I wanted to live in the Twin Cities and I knew I wanted to work in athletic communications at the NCAA Division I level because of the resources available. I had to be patient, but eventually a job opened at the U and I applied. When I found out the open position worked with women's hockey and track & field/cross country, I knew it was meant to be.
GS: What is your favorite part about your job?
MH: I enjoy my day-to-day work, but the people I work with, from my colleagues in Gopher Athletics to all of the student-athletes, are what make it so special.
GS: What challenges do you face in your job?
MH: There's not really a finish line when it comes to social media or communications in general, so deciding when I've done "enough" can be a challenge. Also, limited time and allocation of resources can be tricky, but I try to embrace the opportunity to be creative.
GS: What is your proudest moment in your professional career?
MH: I'm so proud of the athletes, coaches, and teams I get to work with on a daily basis. In regards to my own professional career, I'm proud of my education and the journey I took to land my dream job. Gopher women's hockey is the best women's hockey program in the nation, and I strive for my contributions to the program to measure up to that.
GS: Did you ever play hockey? What's your athletic background?
MH: I am a life-long hockey fan, but I never played. I was part of both the track & field and soccer teams at St. Scholastica. Despite being a sprinter during my track days, I am a distance runner now.
GS: What is your favorite memory in your time working with Gopher women's hockey?
MH: I can't pick just one favorite memory. I've been fortunate to work with multiple NCAA and WCHA championship teams, and those moments are very special to me because of the people that made them possible. I'll never forget accompanying Sidney Peters to accept the Hockey Humanitarian Award or witnessing Taylor Williamson and Amanda Kessel overcoming health obstacles to make emotional comebacks, and I was bursting with pride watching Gophers win gold at the Olympic Games. The friendships I have made through my time with the Gophers are priceless as well.
GS: If you could trade jobs with anyone in Gopher Athletics for a day, who would it be and why?
MH: I would love to be part of the nutrition staff for a day to learn their tips and best recipes.
GS: What is your favorite professional or college sport or team to watch?
MH: Pittsburgh Penguins
GS: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?
MH: I love staying active with running, biking, yoga, and pilates, and I love reading. I have two dogs, Luke and Charlie, and I enjoy spending time at my family's cabin and being at the lake during the summer. I love traveling and visiting new places, too.
GS: Fill in the blank: If I wasn't working in athletic communications, I would be a ________________.
MH: If I wasn't working in athletic communications, I would be an eye doctor.
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Gopher Sports: When did you start working at the University of Minnesota?
Mandy Hansen: I began working at the University of Minnesota in August 2013.
GS: What's your alma mater and what did you study in college?
MH: I attended the College of St. Scholastica for undergrad where I majored in Communications and English. I completed my master's degree in Public Relations at the University of Denver, and I'm currently working on my M.Ed. in Sport Management here at the University of Minnesota.
GS: What does your job entail?
MH: Athletic communications demands a wide skill set and entails a variety of responsibilities including coordinating media relations, creating content for GopherSports.com, writing press releases and features, running social media channels, managing the press box on game days, creating media materials, maintaining records, stats and archives, and more. The variety of tasks keeps me engaged, and there are endless opportunities to try new things.
GS: How did you get into your field?
MH: I started working in the sports information office at St. Scholastica when I was a sophomore in college, and I quickly realized the field combines two of my greatest passions in sports and writing.
GS: How did you get into your current position at the University of Minnesota?
MH: After graduate school and a post-graduate internship, I knew I wanted to live in the Twin Cities and I knew I wanted to work in athletic communications at the NCAA Division I level because of the resources available. I had to be patient, but eventually a job opened at the U and I applied. When I found out the open position worked with women's hockey and track & field/cross country, I knew it was meant to be.
GS: What is your favorite part about your job?
MH: I enjoy my day-to-day work, but the people I work with, from my colleagues in Gopher Athletics to all of the student-athletes, are what make it so special.
GS: What challenges do you face in your job?
MH: There's not really a finish line when it comes to social media or communications in general, so deciding when I've done "enough" can be a challenge. Also, limited time and allocation of resources can be tricky, but I try to embrace the opportunity to be creative.
GS: What is your proudest moment in your professional career?
MH: I'm so proud of the athletes, coaches, and teams I get to work with on a daily basis. In regards to my own professional career, I'm proud of my education and the journey I took to land my dream job. Gopher women's hockey is the best women's hockey program in the nation, and I strive for my contributions to the program to measure up to that.
GS: Did you ever play hockey? What's your athletic background?
MH: I am a life-long hockey fan, but I never played. I was part of both the track & field and soccer teams at St. Scholastica. Despite being a sprinter during my track days, I am a distance runner now.
GS: What is your favorite memory in your time working with Gopher women's hockey?
MH: I can't pick just one favorite memory. I've been fortunate to work with multiple NCAA and WCHA championship teams, and those moments are very special to me because of the people that made them possible. I'll never forget accompanying Sidney Peters to accept the Hockey Humanitarian Award or witnessing Taylor Williamson and Amanda Kessel overcoming health obstacles to make emotional comebacks, and I was bursting with pride watching Gophers win gold at the Olympic Games. The friendships I have made through my time with the Gophers are priceless as well.
GS: If you could trade jobs with anyone in Gopher Athletics for a day, who would it be and why?
MH: I would love to be part of the nutrition staff for a day to learn their tips and best recipes.
GS: What is your favorite professional or college sport or team to watch?
MH: Pittsburgh Penguins
GS: What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?
MH: I love staying active with running, biking, yoga, and pilates, and I love reading. I have two dogs, Luke and Charlie, and I enjoy spending time at my family's cabin and being at the lake during the summer. I love traveling and visiting new places, too.
GS: Fill in the blank: If I wasn't working in athletic communications, I would be a ________________.
MH: If I wasn't working in athletic communications, I would be an eye doctor.
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