Liam Sample will join SUNY Cortland as Sports Information Coordinator/Director of Broadcasting in preparation for the 2026-27 school year. Sample's main responsibilities will be coordinating game broadcasts, training and supervision of student workers, statistical coverage, and content creation for all 25 of Cortland's varsity athletic programs. 
 
Sample had most recently worked in the front office of the Clinton LumberKings in Prospect League Baseball during the 2026 season. He served as the play-by-play voice for all home and away contests, developed and implemented content strategies for social media and digital marketing platforms, and coordinated media relations efforts and website maintenance for the team. 
 
Sample is a familiar face in the athletic department at Cortland, having served as the director of broadcasting and lead play-by-play announcer for the Red Dragons for three semesters while pursuing a Master of Science in Sport Management. He earned his master's degree with a concentration in athletic administration from Cortland in May of 2026.
 
"We're very excited to have Liam joining our Cortland Athletics family," said sports information director Fran Elia. "He did a great job here during his time as a graduate student, and I'm certain we will continue to grow and improve with Liam on board in a full-time capacity."
 
A native of West Chazy, N.Y., Sample completed his undergraduate studies at nearby SUNY Plattsburgh. While at Plattsburgh, he worked as student lead for broadcasting and creative content in the athletic department, served as a news director for Plattsburgh State Television, and was a sports editor for the student newspaper Cardinal Points. He earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and media production in January of 2025, and served for two years as chapter secretary of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association honor society.

"I am excited to return to Cortland in a role that combines broadcasting, sports information, and production into one," said Sample. "As an alum, it is special to give back to a place that has given me so much."
 
Sample has also served in various roles for a multitude of high school, collegiate, and professional sport organizations. He's been contracted as a public address announcer, play-by-play announcer, and producer for the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL, the Northeast Sports Network, Cornell Athletics, the Vermont Lumberjacks of the EHL, the Burlington Bees of the Prospect League, and Plattsburgh High School.
 
This position is supported by the NCAA Division III Pathway to Excellence Grant, which was created to provide financial assistance to member schools and conferences that are committed to enhancing opportunities in entry-level, intercollegiate athletics administrative positions. Hired employees are also provided with funding for professional development opportunities throughout the two-year grant period. For more information, visit https://www.ncaa.org/what-we-do/scholarships-grants/division-iii-opportunity-grants/#pathway-to-excellence-grant.