There's Only One....David Bassity

By Leslie Koch

Every Saturday nearly one hundred thousand people pour into Norman to support the Sooner football team. The crowd at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium goes crazy for Sam Bradford’s high-flying passes and DeMarco Murray’s electrifying runs. Above all the chaos in the Oklahoma press box is where you will find David Bassity.

David Bassity is an Assistant Director of Media Relations in the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department. Bassity is in charge of sports information for OU’s football team as well as OU’s track and field team. Part of his duties include designing and writing the teams’ media guides, organizing press conferences, award campaigns and maintaining the teams’ pages on the OU Athletics website, SoonerSports.com.

Bassity earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Oklahoma and got his start in media relations as a student intern. Bassity said he originally wanted to be a sports agent, but changed his career path after taking a sports PR class in his junior year. The class was taught by Kenny Mossman, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications. Bassity worked as a student intern in Mossman’s office. Following graduation Bassity got a PR job with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) in Seattle, Washington. After two years with the PBA, Bassity returned to Oklahoma to work with Mossman as a full-time employee, where he has worked for the past two and a half years.

Bassity said that his jobs have put him in some very interesting situations. While working with the PBA, Bassity attended the ESPY awards and met numerous athletes and celebrities. With Oklahoma, Bassity has headed up the award campaigns for the OU football players, including Sam Bradford’s successful Heisman Trophy campaign.

Bassity has been recognized by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSida) for his work with OU media relations. Bassity earned two “Best in the Nation” awards for OU’s 2008 Track and Field media guide and OU’s 2008 Fiesta Bowl media guide for football.

Although he doesn’t get much free time, Bassity volunteers with other sports organizations when he gets a chance. Bassity has worked with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Cowboys and also referees high school and college soccer games. Besides sports, Bassity enjoys feeding his dog, Kirby, and watching movies.