CSC Voices: Why We Belong is provided by the CSC Inclusion Committee
Autism Acceptance, Belonging and Thriving
Bridget Nash interviews Allison Hogue, assistant director of athletic communications at Alfred University, about belonging, autism awareness, and her path in college sports communications. Hogue shares being diagnosed with autism around age four, attending special education and a school for learning differences, and initially feeling uncomfortable disclosing her autism. In 2020, she connected with AJ O’Hagan, began openly sharing her journey, and became co-captain of Team Autism Awareness and Acceptance for the College Sports Communicators Fitness Challenge; the group later hosted an autism awareness panel at the Orlando convention and formed a committee that includes people with various learning differences and allies. Hogue discusses mentorship at Liberty University, her pride in covering Sacred Heart women’s basketball’s NCAA tournament run, advocating for accommodations, and supporting student-athlete mental health resources. She closes by encouraging listeners to be themselves, pursue goals despite disability, and not let others’ opinions define their journey.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:31 Allison’s Journey Across States
01:10 Defining Belonging Through Autism
03:16 Finding Community in CSC
05:08 Creating Belonging for Athletes
07:03 Mentors Who Shaped Her Career
10:05 Writing Passion and WNBA Dreams
10:58 Advocacy and Mental Health Support
13:34 Accommodations and Workplace Success
14:46 Career Highlight March Madness Ring
16:39 Final Advice You Belong
19:45 Closing Thanks and Next Episodes
