Taiah Gallisath & Meredith Mahoney - CSC 30 Under 30

Gallisath & Mahoney Named to CSC 30 Under 30 Class

12/3/2024 11:00:00 AM

GREENWOOD, Ind. - Illinois Wesleyan University assistant directors of athletic communications Taiah Gallisath and Meredith Mahoney were named to the College Sports Communicators 30 Under 30 class announced by the organization Tuesday, Dec. 3.

IWU is the only school with multiple honorees in this year's class, while Gallisath and Mahoney are only the second duo to earn the honor in the same year. The two join Stanford's Maddie Heaps and Scott Swegan, who received the accolade in 2022. Additionally, Gallisath and Mahoney are the second and third 30 Under 30 honorees for IWU as former staff member Nicole Remedios garnered the distinction in 2022.

Gallisath, now in her second year at Illinois Wesleyan, is the primary communications contact for the Titan women's soccer, cross country, track & field, wrestling, and men's lacrosse programs. A talented writer, Gallisath has led Illinois Wesleyan's feature storytelling efforts including a year-long series celebrating the 50th anniversary of NCAA Division III. She has been recognized nationally for her writing with the NCAA Division III / CSC Identity award and is also an active member within College Sports Communicators as a member of the Academic All-America committee. Gallisath was selected to participate in CSC's Inclusion Fellowship, which studies issues around championing an inclusive culture in athletics communications and within college athletics overall during the 2024-25 academic year.

"It is incredible to be nominated and receive the CSC 30 Under 30 Award alongside other phenomenal young professionals," Gallisath exclaimed. "The talent and creativity that individuals are bringing into this profession is definitely something to be recognized and makes me excited for its future. I want to thank Clark Teuscher for taking a chance on me as a student worker and graduate assistant at North Central College and for teaching me the art of storytelling. I also want to thank Katie Gonzales and my colleagues at Illinois Wesleyan for their mentorship and support as I continue to learn in this profession. A huge thank you goes out to all of the student-athletes and coaches who have trusted me to tell their stories and let me come along for the ride. This award is a tribute to all of you!"

Gallisath began her career as a student worker and then a graduate assistant at North Central College. During her time at NCC, Gallisath was an accomplished high jumper on the Cardinals' track and field team. She led the publicity efforts for the NCC men's volleyball team's national title run in 2023 and assisted in the communication efforts for the Cardinals' national championship football and triathlon teams.

Mahoney, who was recently chosen to participate in NCAA Division III's inaugural Emerging Elite Program next week, is in her third year on staff with the Titans. She oversees the communications and promotion of the IWU men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, and women's lacrosse teams. A rising star within CSC, Mahoney is a member of both the Academic All-America and Young Professional committees. She is a national coordinator for the organization's premiere program, Academic All-America, and serves as vice chair of the YP committee. Mahoney was recognized as a top-five finisher in last year's CSC Creative & Digital Design Contest in the Short Form Videos/Reels Best of Division III category for her women's volleyball Taylor French All-American video. She also excelled in the promotion of Britney Maldonado's record-setting women's lacrosse season last spring and the success of the women's volleyball program this fall.

"I am incredibly honored to be named to the CSC 30 Under 30 list," Mahoney said. "This honor is not possible without my family and friends who have been incredibly supportive and understanding of the time commitment that comes with striving to excel in this field. I will forever be grateful to Larry Happel and Joe Flaherty at Central College for helping me find my passion and encouraging me to pursue it. To learn from a legend like Larry so early in my career and to continue to have him as a mentor and friend is something that I will always be appreciative of. I want to thank Katie Gonzales, Taiah Gallisath, Kelly Carlson, Tyler Wilson, and our student workers for continuing to push one another to be at our best every single day. It takes a village, and Illinois Wesleyan has one of the best. Katie gave me a chance, hiring me as a graduate assistant in 2022, and I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship she has provided me. The coaches I have been able to work with and the student-athletes that I have had the pleasure to cover have been incredible, I have truly been blessed with some of the best. Thank you to CSC and the Young Professionals committee for its continued support of those in the industry, I am so grateful for all of the support from these communities."

Mahoney came to IWU by way of Central College, where she was a three-year student worker in the Sports Information Department under CSC Hall of Famer Larry Happel. A four-year member of the Dutch softball team, Mahoney was also involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She graduated from Central with a bachelor's degree in actuarial science in May of 2022.

Gallisath and Mahoney helped Illinois Wesleyan reel in D3SIDA Region 4 Staff of the Year honors for the 2023-24 academic year.

"Taiah and Meredith are both so incredibly deserving of this recognition, and for them to get it together is fitting," Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications Katie Gonzales added. "They have been integral parts of our office's success, and the growth of each other, and have served as tremendous leaders and mentors for our graduate assistant and student workers. Illinois Wesleyan is incredibly fortunate to have Taiah and Meredith promoting Titan athletics with so much passion."

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