Staff Spotlight: Kris Dufour

Q: Can you share a little about yourself and your role in Amherst athletics?

A: I see my role as supporting our student athletes. We do that with our social media platforms, our athletics website, and in various other media. Whenever we can get the word out, we try to get stories in the newspapers and on television. We stay on top of the trends on social media at all times.

Q: What does a typical workday look like for you?

A: I don’t have a typical work day here. That’s the beauty of this job. You know, once September comes around, it’s pretty much six or seven days a week. It’s not a nine-to-five job. It’s a hybrid job, where we might be behind a desk for four or five hours and then out to a practice or a game for three or four hours. It’s [sometimes even] more, if you’re looking at a baseball doubleheader for example. People are just walking in, asking for different things at all times, so it keeps it fresh.

Q: What drew you to Amherst College, and what led you to seek a career in athletics communications?

A: I was a sports writer for 15 years before I was in athletics communication, so my whole professional career has been in athletics, except for a few teenage jobs. I’ve been very fortunate, in that regard, to be able to make a living doing something I absolutely love. If you’re looking to do a job in athletics that involves creativity — like writing, photography, and social media — this is a vocation that certainly serves those needs. Amherst has all the ideals that I enjoy at Division III. I worked at Syracuse University for a year and then Williams for 17 years and four months, and this [position at Amherst] was an opportunity to stay in the NESCAC and run my own shop for the first time. The NESCAC is a very unique place in the world of athletics; the student athletes that take on the rigor of academics and a varsity or club team at places like Amherst are unique. This was a perfect place for me. Amherst is a great fit for my family and for me professionally.

Q: What are your own experiences with sports and athletics?

A: I played ice hockey from the time I was four to the time I was 19, so 16 years of ice hockey. I played [Division III] baseball in college at SUNY Old Westbury … on Long Island. I [also] played a lot of football; although I never played high school football.

Q: Do you have a favorite sport?

A: Professionally, I don’t have a favorite sport. Personally, I’ve been a huge baseball fan since I was five years old. I was a Yankees fan for one season and then when I was 5 my mom went out to buy me a Yankees raincoat and came back with a Red Sox one. The rest is history. So I would say I enjoy baseball a lot, but I enjoy all sports very much. At work, they’re all equal. I mean, everybody that’s playing a sport at this level is putting everything they have into it. I find that to be really inspiring.

Q: What is your favorite part about your job?

A: It’s my interactions with the students and the daily back and forth with the people that work for me. Everything here matters to me, and I’m here for the student athletes, coaches, and the athletic department. We employ over 110 student workers, and many of those are student athletes. Those relationships and bonds that are formed — whether people are coming into the office to grab candy out of the candy bowls or to ask a question about media day or photos or just to have a conversation about what's going on in their world — it’s the lifeblood of my job. The vibe that you get in September through May is unmatched in any other profession.

Q: What does the athletics community at Amherst mean to you?

A: Everything. This is a very special place, as I’ve said before. The coaches here are fantastic to work with, the athletics administration is fantastic to work with, as are the students. Everybody has a story, and I think the stories here are incredibly intriguing. The way we decide to tell those stories keeps the creative juices flowing at all times. This is a perfect spot.

Q: How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

A: I like to spend my time with my wife, Stacy, and my daughter, Olivia. I don’t get a lot of opportunities to do that from September through May, but the summer is their time as far as I’m concerned. I like to read, and then in summer, we like to get to the beach, and do things like that. If I can get in a few MLB games, even better. That’s me at this point in my life.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of this article?

A: I’m incredibly fortunate right now to be the director of athletics communications at Amherst because we have a really talented group of people in my department. Brad Kasnet is my associate director, and he is incredible at his job and a wonderful person. He is as hard-working a person as you’ll find. We currently have Sophia Anderson working for us [as the athletics communications intern], and she is, without a doubt, the best person I’ve had in that role in my 24 years in the business, not just because of her skill. Her attitude, demeanor, and ability to work with student athletes and coaches are above any standard. We’re very fortunate to have those two, and of course, all our student workers, who do an incredible job for us. Don’t hesitate to stop by and say hello in room 1100 of the Alumni Gymnasium. We’re always looking for anyone who wants to use their passions in videography, writing, photography, or social media content. If so, this is a great opportunity for you. Even if you do not need a job though, stop by and say hello!