CANTON, Ga. – The Southern Athletic Association (SAA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Sierra Knight as its Assistant for Communications and Operations Intern for the 2026-27 academic year.
Knight joins the conference beginning in the Fall of 2026 and will assist with the SAA's communications, championship administration, digital media initiatives, and day-to-day conference operations.
"We are excited to welcome Sierra to the Southern Athletic Association," said Assistant Commissioner Paige Ward. "Sierra brings an outstanding combination of communications experience, organizational leadership, and a genuine passion for collegiate athletics. Her diverse professional background and commitment to storytelling and student-athlete engagement make her an excellent addition to our team. We look forward to helping her continue to develop professionally while providing meaningful support to our member institutions."
In her role, Knight will assist with the conference's strategic communications efforts, including website management, social media, graphic design, championship communications, awards administration, statistical reporting, and media relations. She will also support the planning and execution of SAA championships and special events while gaining valuable experience in all aspects of conference office administration.
A graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, Knight earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2018 before completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2021. She is currently pursuing a Master of Mass Communication with a specialization in Public Relations and Sports Media at the University of Florida and is expected to graduate in December 2026.
Most recently, Knight gained collegiate athletics communications experience through internships with Chattanooga Mocs Athletics, the Chattanooga Football Club Foundation, College Hockey South, and the Knoxville Ice Bears Foundation. In those roles, she contributed to game day operations, media relations, social media coverage, feature writing, community engagement initiatives, fundraising events, and brand storytelling while helping organizations strengthen connections with fans, donors, and stakeholders.
In addition to her experience in athletics, Knight has built an extensive legal professional background. She has served in multiple legal and project management roles focused on organizational strategy, operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration.
For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at
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