The University of Mississippi Athletics
BHM Profile: Ryan Cochran
2/26/2021 | Social Responsibility & Engagement
In honor of Black History Month, Ole Miss Athletics will highlight several current and former Black student-athletes and administrators throughout the month of February. Honored today is Ole Miss Sports Productions producer/director, Ryan Cochran.
Ryan Cochran • Producer/Director • OMSP
Q: Explain your current role and duties within Ole Miss Athletics:
"My current role in Ole Miss Athletics is as a Producer/Director within the productions department. The duties range from forming and maintaining a content plan for various sports. Mine include Softball and Volleyball. As with many places, we all have a helping hand in other sports as well. We take an all-hands-on-deck approach to football, and we all have a specific role. We shoot highlights for all games and reality segments for our docuseries, "The Season." I get to have a hand in pretty much every sport as the color grader for our shows and various other content. Every show has to go through our color station to make sure every clip is up to top visual quality."
Q: Why did you choose a career in collegiate athletics?
"I think college athletics kind of chose me. Obviously, most people have to come to the realization that being an athlete isn't in the cards. Once that happens, I feel like you have to find what else you're good at. I had a love for sports and eventually came to find a passion for video production. Once the two came together for me at Ohio University, I was all in. Volunteering for video work as a student, it became pretty clear very quickly that it was what I wanted to do. I get to go to games for free, what's not to like."
Q: What do you see as the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
"Hands down it is getting to know the student-athletes. There are so many stories I've gotten to tell and so many friendships I've been able to form over the years. It makes all the time and effort worth it when you see the reaction of the athletes to something you made. To be able to enhance their college experience means to world to me. We put everything we have into this job, and often times it can be thankless. That's not even a complaint, it just comes with the territory. Those reactions, even the simple "I appreciate what you guys do," we get is more than enough for me."
Q: We have seen a continued push for increased representation in collegiate athletics. Why do you believe it is important that there is diversity across all levels in collegiate athletics?
"I remember back in college people used to talk about diversity in college athletics, and they would say, well maybe some minorities don't really want these jobs. Or maybe they interview bad. It's sad to see some of that same narrative even today. Social media has been a blessing for many minorities coming up and just promoting their passion for college athletics and their peers that share the same passion. You need only look on these platforms to see the hunger so many minorities have for this profession. It's important to include all of these people because they are part what makes sports great. We all love sports, and whatever you do, whether it's video, marketing, ticket sales, etc., it's important to have a diverse opinion in the room. It's important because these people work just as hard as the next person and have earned every right to be able to do what they love."
Q: Who is one person that has been instrumental to your growth?
"I could name so many people that have been there for me and instilled so much knowledge and love into me. If I had to go with one person it would be my father, Raymond Cochran. He pushed me to pursue a career in video because he knew I loved it. I was majoring in finance my senior year of college and I hated it. I was doing it because, in my mind, it was the safe choice. Without my father's persistence in me pursuing my dreams, I literally wouldn't be here at Ole Miss. He supported me adding two more years into my college career to get it right. When I graduated with no job, nowhere to go, he was right there to reassure me. I owe him everything."
Q: What do you think is important for aspiring athletics professionals to know when working to pursue careers in this profession?
"I think that it's important to reach out to everyone that you think might help. You definitely will get some people who won't help so much, but that one person who will help and give you an opportunity or even just some timely advice can be big. Try new things and find a way to get involved in something. While it might not always seem like something you'd see yourself doing in the future, making as many connections within the industry is key and will help you immensely."
Quick Facts
Favorite sport to watch?
NBA Basketball
What do you prefer to do in your free time?
I love to play video games. You find me on Warzone most nights.
Favorite athlete?
LeBron James
What are you most proud of?
My family
Ryan Cochran • Producer/Director • OMSP
Q: Explain your current role and duties within Ole Miss Athletics:
"My current role in Ole Miss Athletics is as a Producer/Director within the productions department. The duties range from forming and maintaining a content plan for various sports. Mine include Softball and Volleyball. As with many places, we all have a helping hand in other sports as well. We take an all-hands-on-deck approach to football, and we all have a specific role. We shoot highlights for all games and reality segments for our docuseries, "The Season." I get to have a hand in pretty much every sport as the color grader for our shows and various other content. Every show has to go through our color station to make sure every clip is up to top visual quality."
Q: Why did you choose a career in collegiate athletics?
"I think college athletics kind of chose me. Obviously, most people have to come to the realization that being an athlete isn't in the cards. Once that happens, I feel like you have to find what else you're good at. I had a love for sports and eventually came to find a passion for video production. Once the two came together for me at Ohio University, I was all in. Volunteering for video work as a student, it became pretty clear very quickly that it was what I wanted to do. I get to go to games for free, what's not to like."
Q: What do you see as the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
"Hands down it is getting to know the student-athletes. There are so many stories I've gotten to tell and so many friendships I've been able to form over the years. It makes all the time and effort worth it when you see the reaction of the athletes to something you made. To be able to enhance their college experience means to world to me. We put everything we have into this job, and often times it can be thankless. That's not even a complaint, it just comes with the territory. Those reactions, even the simple "I appreciate what you guys do," we get is more than enough for me."
Q: We have seen a continued push for increased representation in collegiate athletics. Why do you believe it is important that there is diversity across all levels in collegiate athletics?
"I remember back in college people used to talk about diversity in college athletics, and they would say, well maybe some minorities don't really want these jobs. Or maybe they interview bad. It's sad to see some of that same narrative even today. Social media has been a blessing for many minorities coming up and just promoting their passion for college athletics and their peers that share the same passion. You need only look on these platforms to see the hunger so many minorities have for this profession. It's important to include all of these people because they are part what makes sports great. We all love sports, and whatever you do, whether it's video, marketing, ticket sales, etc., it's important to have a diverse opinion in the room. It's important because these people work just as hard as the next person and have earned every right to be able to do what they love."
Q: Who is one person that has been instrumental to your growth?
"I could name so many people that have been there for me and instilled so much knowledge and love into me. If I had to go with one person it would be my father, Raymond Cochran. He pushed me to pursue a career in video because he knew I loved it. I was majoring in finance my senior year of college and I hated it. I was doing it because, in my mind, it was the safe choice. Without my father's persistence in me pursuing my dreams, I literally wouldn't be here at Ole Miss. He supported me adding two more years into my college career to get it right. When I graduated with no job, nowhere to go, he was right there to reassure me. I owe him everything."
Q: What do you think is important for aspiring athletics professionals to know when working to pursue careers in this profession?
"I think that it's important to reach out to everyone that you think might help. You definitely will get some people who won't help so much, but that one person who will help and give you an opportunity or even just some timely advice can be big. Try new things and find a way to get involved in something. While it might not always seem like something you'd see yourself doing in the future, making as many connections within the industry is key and will help you immensely."
Quick Facts
Favorite sport to watch?
NBA Basketball
What do you prefer to do in your free time?
I love to play video games. You find me on Warzone most nights.
Favorite athlete?
LeBron James
What are you most proud of?
My family
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