DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Jenna Putala and Simon Gonzalez as Sports Information Graduate Assistants for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Putala worked in the sports information office at Wesleyan (CT) University for four years as an undergrad. Using PrestoStats software, she imputed statistics for volleyball, basketball, ice hockey, football, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, softball, and baseball. Putala also assisted in the production and creation of department publications – including media guides, gameday programs, and posters – as well as social media graphics.

"I am excited about the opportunity to complete my Master's Degree and gain experience in the sports information industry as a graduate assistant at Nichols College," said Putala. "Pete DiVito made it clear that Nichols values the growth of its student-athletes and the athletic community. I look forward to joining 'The Herd' and promoting our teams and student-athletes as people, students and athletes."

Putala – who graduated from Wesleyan (CT) this past May with a Bachelor of Arts as an English major – completed a summer internship at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. during the summer of 2019. She wrote and published press releases for the Pioneers, updated student-athlete and coaches bios, and curated graphic design materials. Putala also helped with a myriad of tasks for the 2019 Smith College Hall of Fame Banquet, including the creation of the program and inductee biographies, and the design of plaques for recipients.

During her time at Wesleyan (CT), Putala was a student-athlete (2017; 2020) and manager (2019) for the softball program as she battled injuries throughout her career. She planned and facilitated captain's practices during the non-traditional season, and assisted with score keeping and maintaining the pitching chart. Putala – who also coached first base for the Cardinals as a senior player/coach – is currently the Organizational Director and Head Coach for the Western Mass Warriors Fastpitch Softball team in Montague, Mass.

A native of Peabody, Mass., Gonzalez was an intern with the GNAC conference office during the summer of 2019, where he collaborated on multiple research projects, including Equity in Athletics Data Analysis and NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) initiatives. He was also instrumental in many aspects of the 2019 GNAC Hall of Fame ceremony.

Gonzalez spent his senior year at Saint Joseph's (ME) as a student employee in the athletic department, working with both the events staff and the sports information department. Gonzalez was responsible for the setup and breakdown of athletic facilities for all home events while working as a statistics caller, clock manager, ball boy, or ticket seller. He assistant Sports Information Director Corey McCarthy, Gonzalez helped create social media graphics, online game programs, and videos for the Monks, and also updated the department website and social media platforms.

"I am very excited for this opportunity to work in such a great athletic department with amazing people," said Gonzalez. "I look forward to giving my best every day to help Nichols College Athletics and the community grow in a positive way!"

Gonzalez was a two-way player for the Saint Joseph's (ME) College baseball program and a three-time Greater Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) All-Academic Team. The owner of a .309 career batting average, Gonzalez was named to the 2019 GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Business Administration.

"Jenna and Simon will be excellent additions to the department," said Sports Information Director Pete DiVito. "Each brings a unique skill set to the table and possesses a wealth of potential. I anticipate that they will thrive at Nichols and eventually join the growing list of folks in the media relations profession that began their career at Nichols."

Former sports information student workers and graduate assistants from Nichols College include Mark Therrien (WPI), Ryan Hayden (formerly of South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL), Ken Swain (New England College), Tyler Gaudette (Pawtucket Red Sox), and Erin Stanton (Lowell Spinners).