Flaherty named to athletics communications post
PELLA-All ready among the most experienced sports information professionals in the American Rivers Conference, assistant Joe Flaherty has been named Central College’s next athletics communications director.
A 2014 Central graduate, Flaherty was a student assistant in the office for three years as an undergraduate. Flaherty then filled an unanticipated opening as a sports information postgraduate intern for the 2014-15 academic year and was promoted to serve as assistant athletics communications director in 2015.
“Joe has clearly earned this job with his dedication and commitment over the past 10 years,” athletics director Eric Van Kley said. “Among the things I appreciate most about him are his passion for serving students and his loyalty to Central. It’s not just a job to him. He loves athletics communications work and, more than anything, loves doing it at Central College. He loves our students but also has an appreciation for Central’s athletics tradition and the countless athletes and coaches who helped build that over the past century. He bleeds Central red.”
A former member of the Dutch football and baseball squads, Flaherty is a Burlington, Iowa native. He has been a member of the College Sports Communicators (CSC) since 2014. In 2023, he was appointed to the selection committee for the Associated Press Division III All-American Football Team. Iin his role as assistant, Flaherty has spearheaded Central’s social media presence, managed the athletics photo library and facilitated the athletics video streaming operations through the Central Dutch Network, in addition to serving as a primary contact for several sports squads.
“We’ve seen Joe learn and develop as he’s taken on more and more responsibilities over the past 10 years,” Van Kley said. “He’s more than ready for this. We’re excited to watch Joe grow and excel in his new role. And we’re happy to have Joe and his family continue as a part of the community as well as valued members of the Central family.”
Dutch baseball coach Adam Carey, a 2019 Central grad, has viewed Flaherty as a player and, now, a colleague.
“Joe’s just an amazing guy to have in the department,” Carey said. “He does a great job but he’s also fun to have around. When I’m in his office, we don’t have to only talk Central baseball, we can talk about life. He’s really good at building those relationships and I think that breaks the walls down. But the biggest thing is his passion for Central and for Central athletics. I have really appreciated his commitment and his effort over the years. Getting this position is perfect. It’s well deserved.”
Veteran men’s soccer coach Garry Laidlaw has worked with Flaherty throughout the past 10 years.
“I think he’s been preparing for this opportunity for a while and I’m sure he won’t take it for granted,” Laidlaw said. “He’ll make the most of it.”
Flaherty will be just the second full-time athletics communications director in Central history. He’ll follow Larry Happel, who is retiring in June after taking on the job in 1979.
“I couldn’t be happier for Joe and I think this will make the transition a little bit more seamless,” Laidlaw said. “He’s very professional, very reliable and I can’t think of a better person to take over. He is Forever Dutch.”
