ECNL hires Blaze Byrd as Communications Manager

RICHMOND, VA (Via ECNL) – The Elite Clubs National League has announced the hiring of Blaze Byrd as Communications Manager.

Byrd will lead the daily communication efforts, serve as the liaison between local media markets for the league and enhance the current Amazing Young Women campaign and other league initiatives.

Byrd is a graduate of Virginia Wesleyan College, with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications with a concentration in Media Studies and Journalism, and a Master’s of Education in Sport Leadership. Byrd began her journey into the Communications profession early as a student of Manchester High School’s Mass Communications program for four years. At Virginia Wesleyan, she was a member of the Marlin Chronicle as a sports reporter and a Communications intern for Old Dominion University’s Athletic Department. Byrd was a three-year starter at center back for Virginia Wesleyan, earning All-ODAC accolades and appearing on the VaSID College Division Women’s Soccer All-State Team.

+Read: ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Recap: May 7-8, 2016

After graduating from Virginia Wesleyan, Byrd accepted a job at Symbol Mattress as the Advertising, Marketing & New Media Coordinator. She also began playing rugby for James River Women’s Rugby Club, the only Division I women’s rugby team in central Virginia. After two years at Symbol Mattress, she was accepted into the Virginia Commonwealth University (“VCU”) Sport Leadership program. During her year at VCU, she was a Graduate Assistant for VCU Athletic Communications, creating graphics for the Center for Sport Leadership, helping CBS Sports in the production truck for basketball games and volunteering with Sportable. Byrd began working with Serevi Rugby and Capital Rugby Union to put on rugby camps, guiding her to a Sales & Marketing internship with ATAVUS (formerly Serevi Rugby) in Seattle, WA to finish her externship credits towards her graduate degree.

“We are excited to officially welcome Blaze to the ECNL staff, as her energy and work ethic will enhance league communications.” said Jen Woodie, ECNL Commissioner “Her passion for sharing stories about the beautiful game both on and off the field will bring the Amazing Young Women campaign to new heights, strengthening the ECNL brand as a whole as we continue our mission to Raise The Game.”