As a proud UConn Communication graduate, Shay Smith has built an impressive career in the world of sports media, currently serving as an Associate Manager, Programming at ESPN. With nearly five years at the global sports network, she has played a pivotal role in the scheduling and strategic development of college basketball and high school sports programming, ensuring seamless coordination across ESPN’s platforms.

During her time at UConn, Shay immersed herself in sports and media, gaining hands-on experience as a Student Manager for UConn Women’s Ice Hockey and Men’s Basketball, a Social Media Specialist for the Department of Chemistry, and an intern at major media organizations. Her ability to merge passion with strategic expertise set the foundation for her success in the industry.

After graduating, Shay began her career at iHeartMedia, where she worked as a National Sales Assistant. In this role, she collaborated with sales executives, advertising agencies, and Fortune 500 clients—including Walt Disney Motion Pictures, NBC, T-Mobile, and PepsiCo—to execute multi-platform advertising campaigns. She also played a key role in market research, sponsorship proposals, and campaign execution across radio, streaming, digital, and activation platforms.

Building on her early career experience, Shay transitioned to ESPN, where she quickly advanced through multiple roles in programming and format analysis. Before stepping into her current position, she worked as a Programming Coordinator, managing college basketball and softball schedules and providing strategic support for ESPN’s sports programming initiatives. Her tenure at ESPN has also included format analysis, where she collaborated across international networks, optimized programming strategies, and contributed to ESPN’s diversity and inclusion efforts. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Women@ESPN Business Employee Resource Group (BERG).

Beyond ESPN, Shay remains deeply committed to community impact and education. As a Foundation Board Member at Manchester Community College (MCC) and Chair of the Fundraising and Stewardship Committee, she plays a vital role in advancing scholarship opportunities and academic initiatives.

As a UConn COMM alumna, Shay has modeled exemplary Husky Pride, returning time and time again to share her career journey and professional expertise with students. Whether participating in a COMM Careers Event, visiting a COMM class, or mentoring UConn students through the Sport Business Association’s annual conference, Shay has embodied the generosity of spirit that defines UConn Nation.

A trailblazer in her field and a champion for higher education and mentorship, Shay Smith continues to shape the landscape of sports programming while making a meaningful impact in her community—making her the 2025 COMM Alumna to Watch.

Connect with Shay on LinkedIn.

A proud graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Communication program, Kyle Muncy has dedicated over three decades to enhancing the university’s brand, communications, and corporate partnerships. His leadership in collegiate branding, corporate social responsibility, and ethical sourcing has positioned UConn as a model institution in the licensing industry.

Kyle’s journey at UConn began in January 1992, when he secured an internship in the Athletic Communications office during his senior year. This pivotal experience, under the mentorship of Tim Tolokan, ignited his passion for sports communication and brand management, setting the foundation for a distinguished career.

In 1994, Kyle officially joined UConn Athletics as Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications, a role he held for over 17 years. During this time, he managed media relations and public outreach for the university’s nationally recognized programs, working closely with legendary athletes, including Emeka Okafor during the 2004 NCAA Championship. His ability to amplify the voices of student-athletes and share UConn’s success with the world shaped his early career.

Transitioning in 2011 to Associate Director of Athletics for Trademark Licensing and Branding, Kyle led efforts to protect and grow UConn’s brand identity. He later served as Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications & Brand Management, and since 2018, he has been Director of Brand Partnerships and Trademark Management. In this capacity, he has overseen corporate partnerships, licensing strategies, and brand initiatives, notably contributing to the development of the “Basketball Capital of the World” brand identity. His work has ensured that UConn’s dominance on the court is reflected in its branding and national reputation.

Kyle’s contributions extend beyond branding—he has been a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethical sourcing. His commitment to human rights in supply chains helped UConn earn the 2021 ICLA Service Award, a recognition of the university’s impact in ethical licensing. Under Kyle’s leadership, UConn implemented one of the country’s most stringent vendor codes of conduct, ensuring that all internal apparel and promotional vendors are FLA-affiliated and committed to fair labor practices. His oversight of UConn’s licensees, along with his role on multiple CSR committees, has set a standard for universities nationwide.

Beyond his work at UConn, Kyle has been a strong advocate for ethical branding and corporate responsibility. He has served on the President’s Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility since 2011, the Board of Directors for the Worker Rights Consortium since 2017, and previously on the Fair Labor Association’s Monitoring Committee. Additionally, Kyle helped spearhead UConn’s participation in a Living Wage Pilot Program, making UConn the first university in the nation to test retail-based living wage initiatives with multiple licensees and retailers. His passion for community engagement is also evident through his roles as a Board Member for the Mansfield Downtown Partnership and an Advisory Board Member for UConn Brewing Innovation.

For Kyle, UConn is more than a workplace—it’s home. The Muncy family’s connection to UConn is profound. In 2019, Kyle’s daughter, Taylor, earned her bachelor’s degree from CLAS, nearly three decades after her parents first met in Storrs as undergraduates. In May 2022, Kyle and Taylor shared the unique experience of graduating together, each earning their second degrees from the UConn School of Business.

As Kyle approaches his 32nd year at UConn, he remains as passionate as ever about the university and its community. From an eager intern in 1992 to a leader shaping UConn’s national presence, Kyle Muncy’s career exemplifies dedication and excellence. In recognition of his decades of service and significant impact on communication, branding, and corporate responsibility, he is honored as the 2025 Distinguished COMM Alumnus.

Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn.