Adam Widman joined UCF Athletics in May 2024 as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Brand Communications, bringing more than 20 years of experience in high-level sports communications. His background includes five seasons in the NFL and over a decade at two Big Ten universities, and now the Big 12.
“Adam stood out among a strong pool of candidates thanks to his experience, knowledge, and passion for college athletics,” said Terry Mohajir, Vice President and Director of Athletics. “He’s a dynamic and well-rounded leader who brings a fresh perspective as we navigate a new era focused on player branding and public communication. We’re excited to welcome him to the UCF family.”
At UCF, Widman leads the strategic communications team and oversees executive-level messaging for the department, including communications for Mohajir and head football coach Scott Frost. He also drives efforts to boost brand awareness, support department initiatives, and coordinate with university communications.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Widman most recently worked in Chicago as Director of Football Communications for the Chicago Bears. During his five seasons with the team, he worked closely with players, coaches, and executives on media relations and interview prep, while also managing the club’s messaging and off-the-field storytelling. His responsibilities included overseeing the team’s media guide, weekly game releases, the @BearsPR Twitter/X account, and content for the team’s media portal. He regularly collaborated with national TV partners like CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network, and led logistics for annual media day content shoots.
Before the NFL, Widman spent nearly a decade at his alma mater, The Ohio State University, where he served as Associate Director of Athletics Communications from 2007 to 2017. He led communications for the football program and worked with several other varsity sports, playing a key role in high-profile events like BCS bowl games, the College Football Playoff, two national championship appearances, and the NCAA Men’s Final Four. He also twice served as media coordinator for NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament games in Columbus.
At Ohio State, he worked closely with football recruiting operations, helping manage weekly media releases and supporting recruiting communications. He oversaw a staff that served more than 1,000 student-athletes across 36 sports and managed press box operations on game days.
Widman’s earlier roles include time at Northwestern University as Associate Director of Athletics Communications, where he led PR for men’s basketball, men’s soccer, and the women’s lacrosse team during its national championship runs in 2006 and 2007. He began his career at Kent State University, handling communications for the women’s basketball, baseball, and field hockey programs from 2003 to 2005.
Widman also spent a year in the corporate PR world, working for for Advocate Health Care where he managed brand communications tied to sports partnerships with the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers.
A graduate of Ohio State with a degree in journalism, Widman is a proud Cleveland sports fan. He and his wife, Emily, have two young sons: Mason (5) and Logan (2).