NAIA-SIDA Spotlight - Patty Constantin, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)
Patty Constantin of Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) in San Antonio, Texas is a three-time Red River Athletic Conference SID of the Year. She was promoted to the director position in 2013, first joining OLLU’s marketing and communications staff in 2006. Since then, Patty has covered 15 sports for the Saints.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: After graduating from St. Mary’s University with a degree in English/Communication Arts, I entered the workforce as an assistant editor with the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Magazine and worked at its main office in the Washington, D.C., area for about five years. I transferred to Kelly Air Force Base as an administrative assistant and worked mostly on our directorate’s newsletter and wrote articles/speeches for our colonel for the base newspaper. While there, I received my master’s in English/Communication Arts also from St. Mary’s. Seven years later, I moved into the public relations/communications field for the Institute of Texan Cultures. I handled all media relations for the museum for 10 years, and then moved on to SeaWorld San Antonio. I worked as a communications specialist and traveled throughout the country with our penguins, tamanduas, birds, otters, tortoises and many other animals on Southwest Airlines, where we’d do demonstrations on the plane while en route to children’s hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses and television stations to promote the upcoming season. I also handled marketing for camps and school activities (field trips, tours, etc.) for SeaWorld. After I left SeaWorld in 2015, I took a job at Our Lady of the Lake University as a public relations officer in February 2016. I worked in that capacity until we began our intercollegiate athletics program later in 2016 and started our inaugural season in 2017 with men’s soccer and volleyball. Since then, we added women’s soccer, tennis, golf, basketball, cross-country, track and field, softball and baseball and we now have 13 athletic teams.
I grew up three blocks from OLLU, and I consider the fact that I am now working here a sign of providence. I am honored to say that all my schooling has been at Catholic schools - Christ the King Catholic School, Incarnate Word High School and St. Mary’s University.
My only child, Julianna, is the love of my life; she is 22 years old and is working on her master’s degree at OLLU. My husband, Dan, is our athletics photographer. He and I have been married since 2016 and are parents to a miniature pinscher Teddy and a chihuahua Penny, and are grandparents to a mix-breed Bear.
Favorite Hobby: I am an avid reader, and I mainly enjoy non-fiction books, including topics ranging from history, politics, biographies and autobiographies.
Favorite Professional Sports Team: Since my earliest memories, I have been a fan of the New York Yankees. My five brothers (only girl) would often watch the Yankees play with my father as children. I have been to hundreds of Yankees games throughout the country, but only since this past June was I able to travel to New York to watch two games against the Boston Red Sox. It was a dream come true for me. After the team won their most recent World Series in 2009, I got my first and only tattoo with the NY Logo. “When” they win this year, I will get another Yankees tattoo.
Favorite Color: Purple and forest green
Favorite Vacation Destination: New York, New York
Favorite Style of Music: I am an avid fan of classic rock and consider AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Rush, Triumph, Disturbed and Metallica among my all-time favorites.
Favorite Athlete of All Time: Don Mattingly and Mariano Rivera
Favorite Author: Anne Rule
Favorite Quote: Can it be a prayer? If so: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.”
Or quote: “God is good for everybody. The sun shines on good people and bad people, and it rains on both, too. God doesn’t choose rain only for bad people,” Mariano Rivera
Favorite Memory as an SID: In 2012, our men’s basketball team made it to nationals and I was able to attend the series. Our men advanced to the second round after defeating Baker University 103-88. During that game, Robert Martinez scored 36 points, including an NAIA-tournament tying 10 3-pointers. He hit 12-of-22 field goals including 10-of-16 3-pointers. Having the privilege of watching this happen and then managing all the media wanting to interview him after the game was the most exciting memory I have as an SID. Robert went on to finish out his four years at OLLU, and he is the all-time leader in scoring with 1,963 points.
