Linfield University's athletics communications office unveiled a new look to begin August with longtime sports information director Kelly Bird sliding into a reimagined role and new SID Chase Fisk starting his first day on the job.
 
Operationally, Linfield's external communications efforts are expected to function much the same as they have been, providing timely news and schedule information, broadcast and statistical coverage, and timely social media posts.
 
Fisk, who comes to Linfield after two years as assistant SID at fellow Northwest Conference institution Pacific Lutheran, takes over day-to-day leadership of the sports communications office. Together with broadcast coordinator Joe Stuart, Fisk and Bird combine to form an experienced and imaginative communications team.
 
"I'm excited to become a part of the Linfield family and join a department with a tremendous history of success," said Fisk. "The connection that Linfield has within the community of McMinnville is special, and I'm blessed to help tell the stories of Wildcat student-athletes. I'd like to thank Kelly Bird and Scott Brosius for their leadership during this transition and welcoming me to Linfield. Roll 'Cats!"
 
Continuing a career that now spans portions of five decades, Bird is embracing a new position within the department as the university's athletics marketing and events coordinator. He maintains his communications and operations responsibilities with the football, softball and track & field programs each season, and continues to be the athletic department's point of contact for procurement and fulfillment of community sponsorships.
 
One of two original founding members of the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame Executive Committee, Bird will continue to lend his historical knowledge, background and experience as part of the Hall of Fame selection and awards presentation process.
 
Though he now oversees the communications effort for just three sports, Bird will be seen frequently at most all sports events as he continues his niche as department photographer.
 
"I've had the privilege of promoting Linfield sports programs and student-athletes for 36 years. It's been an increasing challenge keeping up with all the many events we host," said Bird. "Being responsible for covering every event, week after week, year after year, has become more taxing. I'm delighted to have a role where I can continue to be involved with Linfield Athletics, yet be able to work fewer events per year."
 
An award-winning sports communications professional in his two years at PLU, Fisk earned six College Sports Communicators Creative & Digital Design citations, including consecutive titles in recognition of the top Signing Day Package for Division III. During his time in Tacoma, Fisk covered four Northwest Conference championship teams which also competed in the NCAA Division III Tournaments.
 
A native of Tumwater, Washington, Fisk returned to the Pacific Northwest after spending three years developing his sports communications tool kit at Division II University of Wisconsin-Parkside where he served as a graduate assistant for External Relations and Marketing and was the primary media contact for the Rangers men's golf team and nationally-ranked wresting teams.
 
A three-year golf letter winner at UWP, Fisk graduated in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management, earning Academic All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors and All America Scholar recognition from the Golf Coaches Association of America. He went on to complete a master's degree in Sports Management two years later.
 
Prior to attending UW-Parkside, Fisk competed on the men's golf team at Bellevue College, where he earned the Northwest Athletic Conference's Sportsman of the Year in 2020.
 
He and his wife, Marissa, reside in McMinnville with their dog, Sadie.