PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- Shawnee State has announced the appointment of Hayden Blankenship as the department's first assistant sports information director, marking a significant addition to the athletic communications staff ahead of the 2026-27 academic year and the Bears' inaugural season of NCAA Division II competition.

Blankenship, a native of Chesapeake, Ohio, brings a strong background in sports management, digital media and game-day administration to the role. A recent Shawnee State graduate with a bachelor's degree in sports management and former member of the baseball program, Blankenship transitions into the position after serving as a student intern within the department. In that role, he assisted with athletic communications efforts, including roster and website maintenance, statistical reporting, game-day operations and original content creation.

Recognizing his dedication to the department, Blankenship received the prestigious Joe Smith Memorial Award in spring 2026, an honor recognizing exceptional commitment and operational excellence within Shawnee State Athletics.

In his new position, Blankenship will oversee media operations for select varsity sports, produce creative digital media, assist with statistics and historical archiving and help elevate the profile of Shawnee State's student-athletes. His extensive knowledge of the university's athletic landscape and drive for operational efficiency will strengthen the department's media reach across all platforms.

Dewey Dailey, Shawnee State's sports information director, said Blankenship's personality and diligence will make him a strong fit for the position.

"Hayden will be a great addition to our full-time staff," Dailey said. "He's a personable guy that has a great work ethic and desire to grow."

Blankenship's appointment reflects Shawnee State's continued commitment to building a modern athletic infrastructure as the university expands its regional brand, engages alumni and fans and recruits top-tier student-athletes ahead of its NCAA Division II debut.