A dyed-in-the-wool IU basketball fan, Sarah Melton attended IU, talked her way into a job with IU Athletics Department’s communications team and now works for IU alumnus Mark Cuban as Dallas Mavericks’ director of basketball communications.

And each fall, she tries to return to her alma mater, often to talk to journalism students about her 11-year odyssey since collecting her degree. She made time for the Bloomington Press Club, too, as the speaker for the Sept. 14 meeting.

Melton, one of only three women in such positions in the NBA, regaled the crowd with stories of coaches, players and dilemmas she’s found herself in as one of few women amid male athletes.

“I have been privileged to work with some of the great coaches both here at IU and with the Mavs,” she said as she shared tales of IU soccer coach Jerry Yeagley and Mavs coaches Don Nelson, Avery Johnson and Rick Carlisle.

Ever the fan, though, Melton said she still is in awe of the former IU players she encounters in her work.

Published by bloomingtonpressclub

A nonprofit group in Bloomington, Ind., with members from many areas of media. We sponsor scholarships for high school and college students