UCD's JD Mico earns prestigious national communications award
Former Aggie baseball star is now a communications specialist at his alma mater
As one who works closely with the athletics communications staff at UC Davis, I'm happy to report that Assistant Director JD Mico has been named as part of the College Sports Communicators 30 Under 30 Class for 2024.
No request from a journalist on deadline is too big or too small for JD. He recognizes our role in reporting the news and how we frequently need obscure facts or statistics or player profiles on a moment's notice.
JD has never once dropped the ball, which is not surprising given that he used to be a standout infielder on the UC Davis baseball team, finishing his career and graduating in 2022.
In just the third year of the 30 Under 30 award, this recognition has become one of the most meaningful honors for young communications professionals in college sports. This year there were 176 nominees.
Candidates were considered for inclusion based on achievement in areas such as professional success, impact on their athletic department or conference office, and service to CSC.
Following his graduation, Mico joined the UC Davis fellowship program with the Athletics Communications office.
It did not take long for him to be promoted to a full-time position, earning his current title later in the year as the opportunity presented itself. Currently, Mico oversees both the men’s and women’s soccer programs, men’s basketball, men’s golf and baseball.
“I’m so honored to be receiving this award,” said Mico.
“While it’s a testament to the work I’ve put in, and I am so lucky to be recognized, it truly wouldn’t have been possible without the great people around me who make everything happen, especially the athletic teams I work with. Their record-breaking and historic seasons have made capturing and creating content both a privilege and a remarkable experience.”
Reach me at bobdunning@thewaryone.com
Wow, Bob. This story says several things about our past and current culture. I'm going to "wax philosophical" and use one of our greatest philosophers, Socrates, as a lead-in. Old Soc, 25 hundred years ago, said his generation of kids were tyrannical and rude and disrespectful to their elders.
I heard the same insults when I was in my adolescence. Now, I'm in the age group now where I can say, "The whole country's going to Hell," and "Today's generation of kids are a bunch of *%#*@."
But stories like yours remind me of today's real world. One thing that is different today is that in my day, we didn't even have so many standards of measurements for excellence like we do now. If we managed to achieve a skill level comparable to JD Micro's, nobody knew about it.
Reality check: Seek out any group of kids in their late teens. Listen to them talk. Disregard the slang and profanity, every young generation did that, including mine. Note the quickness of their thought process, the places they have been to or seen on some large screen TV, how they all can transition from one talking point to another, effortlessly.
I was never that well-rounded and sophisticated as a teen. It took me, and my kind, another generation. Today's kids would be super stars if they were part of my generation.
Don't worry about our country's future, this generation will fix what we broke. My personal contentment is that my super-star grand kids will be part of it.
Bob, you always maintain such a giving and caring spirit in recognition of your colleagues—well done, as always. (It’s why we love The Wary One).
And, of course, congratulations to JD Mico. Such an honor to be recognized with such distinction, in your chosen field. Best of success in all of your future endeavors, JD.