July 8, 2014 (Jackson) - Belhaven Vice President for Athletics Scott Little announced the hiring of Benjamin Dishong as the new Director of Athletics Communication. Dishong returns to Mississippi after serving as the Sports Information Director at Ohio's Defiance College (DC) since 2013.
In the promotion of Belhaven's 15 athletic programs, Dishong will oversee all operations in the Athletics Communication Department, including in-game statistics, press releases, production of media guides and game notes, website maintenance, social media, video and broadcasting, along with duties in game day operations.
"I am very excited to have Ben join our staff team to give leadership to our Athletics Communication Department," said Little. "He comes to us highly recommended by those who know him best, and it's been fun to get to know both Ben and Kirstie in these early days. His unique skill set and background is a great fit for us at Belhaven."
Prior to his time at Defiance, where he handled similar duties for DC's 22 athletic programs, Dishong spent two seasons as an assistant in the Athletics Communication office of Delta State University (DSU) in Cleveland, Miss.
During his two-year stint at DSU, Dishong served as the primary contact for men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, and baseball, while also serving as the department's coordinator of photography. Dishong also worked on radio and internet broadcasts of Delta State's baseball, soccer, and swimming and diving teams for the Statesmen Sports Network.
Before his time at Delta State, Dishong worked as a freelance correspondent for the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel for three years, while also serving as the Director of Media Relations for the University of Tennessee hockey program and the South Eastern Collegiate Hockey Conference.
Dishong also worked the 2009 season with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, an independent baseball team in the Atlantic League. He served the club in the media relations and broadcasting department. During his time in Waldorf, Md., Dishong also served as the media relations contact for a pre-season friendly soccer match held at Regency Field between current English Premier League side Crystal Palace and their development side Crystal Palace USA.
The Saint Leonard, Md., native received his Master's Degree in Sport and Human Performance with a specialization in Sports Management and Administration from Delta State University in May of 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Electronic Media from the University of Tennessee in May of 2009. He also holds two Associate of Arts Degrees from the College of Southern Maryland in Journalism and Communications. Ben is married to the former Kirstie Peyton of Knoxville, Tenn.