Paul Carmany: An Unsung Hero

Paul Carmany, one of Liberty’s sports information directors (SID), remembers his first sports memory. It occurred May 7, 1989 when a play deemed one of the most famous in NBA history occurred — Michael Jordan’s iconic game-winning shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It sparked one of many painful sports memories for a kid from Ohio, ones that many Cleveland sports fans have felt. However, the heartbreak did not spoil his passion. 

“I’ve loved sports statistics my whole life,” Carmany said. “Back to the age of 8 or 9, I would have a clipboard at high school basketball games keeping stats.” 

Carmany is one of five at Liberty University who hold the title of SID. In this position, he serves as the primary media contact for women’s basketball, cross country and track and field. While the job title may appear simple, Carmany’s job is anything but that. His day-to-day duties may vary from keeping statistics, hours spent creating game notes,  organizing interviews and much more. 

While Carmany loved sports information, it was not always his original career plan. As he came to the end of his time at Ashland University studying mathematics, however, an opportunity presented itself. 

“I found out I could stay at Ashland University and be a GA (Graduate Assistant) in the sports information office,” Carmany said. “I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll try this out.’”

He would spend the next two years at Ashland serving as the media contact for women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, cross country and track and field. 

Following his time as a graduate assistant, Carmany searched for a job in sports information across Ohio. Despite the distance, an opening at Liberty stuck out to him because of the job description. 

Carmany found that not only did he fill the qualifications that Liberty needed, but they fit his faith. 

He applied and accepted the job in July 2006. 

Over the last 16 years, Carmany has served as the primary contact for Liberty women’s basketball, cross country, track and field and volleyball. He currently serves as the women’s basketball, cross country and track and field contact. 

During his time at Liberty, a lot has changed, including the addition of a familiar face in the sports information office. 

Paul’s brother Joe Carmany joined the department five years after Paul. This addition makes the long hours that come with being a SID more enjoyable. 

“It’s nice having my brother here because I get to spend some of those long hours with him,” Carmany said. “While I am not getting to see my wife and daughter, at least I am here spending the long hours with a family member.” 

Working with family in this capacity is unique and something that Carmany would not trade. 

“We’ve been able to work together through some pretty tough things over the years,” Carmany said. “It’s been a blessing.”

While the role of a sports information director can be time-consuming, Carmany is an avid runner. Medals line the wall of his office in the Liberty Athletic Center. These medals serve as reminders of not only the races he ran, but also the time his job and love for running crossed paths. 

It was 2008, and Carmany traveled with the track and field team to Eugene, Oregon, for the Olympic trials. On one of the days of the trip, there was an open race at the legendary Hayward Field, and Carmany participated in the mile event.

“It was really neat to run a race on the track where all these professional runners had run,” Carmany said. “That came about (only) because of this job.” 

Carmany has served Liberty and its athletes faithfully over his career and will continue to do so for as long as the Lord allows him to be here. 

While the job of a SID isn’t always in the spotlight, the passion that began with a kid and a clipboard at high school basketball games continues to propel Carmany forward. 

Elmore is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion