NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Hannah Robb has certainly made some noise for St. Olaf Athletics in the last three years. While her task is to amplify the voices and accomplishments of Ole student-athletes, Robb has brought a different kind of national recognition along with her, as she was selected as a member of the College Sports Communicators' 30 Under 30 class.
 
The CSC "30 Under 30" award is presented to emerging athletics communications professionals at all levels of college sports in strategic, creative, and digital spaces. Candidates are considered for selection based on achievement in areas such as professional success, impact on their athletic department, and service to CSC. Honorees must be 29 years old or younger on Dec. 31, 2024, and hold a current CSC membership.
 
Hannah Robb is in her fourth year as the Athletics Creative and Digital Media Strategist at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Robb was a product of the NCAA Ethnic Minorities and Women's Internship grant before the College created a full-time position to support Robb's efforts.
 
Her primary responsibilities include generating content for the St. Olaf Athletics website and social media accounts. She also oversees a staff of student photographers and videographers and is the department's primary graphic designer.
 
"It is an honor to be recognized as one of CSC's 30 Under 30 alongside this cohort of 29 other talented and dedicated sports professionals," said Robb. "I have the privilege of working in a rockstar department, with strong administration, and a community of coaches that do so much to help me do my job to the best that I can. And it shows!"
 
And show it does, as Robb was also honored as the College Sports Communicators College Division Photographer of the Year at the annual CSC Convention in Las Vegas in June of 2024. Her portfolio of 25 photos from the 2023-24 academic year was selected as the best in the country among NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA institutions, as well as Canadian schools, two-year colleges, and high schools.
 
"Hannah is incredibly deserving of being named a CSC 30 Under 30 honoree," said her supervisor, St. Olaf's Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications Michael Abdella. "In her three-plus years at St. Olaf, Hannah has significantly elevated the work of our office through her talents in the areas of photography, videography, and graphic design. She came to St. Olaf with video experience but essentially no photography experience and has become a top-notch photographer through her natural talent, a tireless work ethic, and a strong desire to showcase the teams and student-athletes she covers. Everyone in our department and others across campus recognize the quality of her work and the impact it makes on a daily basis. Hiring Hannah has been without-a-doubt the best thing we have done during my time at St. Olaf, and we are enormously fortunate to have her on our team!"
 
In the last three years, Robb has taken St. Olaf Athletics' social media accounts to new heights, emerging as one of the best social channels in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III. Thanks to her efforts, St. Olaf is the fastest-growing account in the MIAC, bringing national recognition to the College with every post.
 
"Every time that Hannah attends a St. Olaf Athletics competition, I know we'll have fantastic photos and creative video content," said Kari VanDerVeen, St. Olaf's Director of Editorial and Communications. "Her work highlights the powerful impact of DIII athletics, from the excellence our student-athletes achieve on the playing field to the mentorship our coaches provide. More importantly, the content that Hannah creates plays an essential role in telling the full story of the people and programs that make up the fabric of the St. Olaf campus community. The College's overall communications are stronger and better because of Hannah's work. We are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team, and I can't think of anyone who deserves this award more."
 
From covering the St. Olaf men's soccer team's 2023 national title, to being selected by the NCAA to cover multiple championship events across different divisions, including the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Division I Wrestling Championships, Robb has quickly ascended the ranks of college athletics content creators, and credits Abdella and the St. Olaf Athletic Department for her growth and success.
 
"Special thanks to Michael Abdella, who completes this communications team and sets the standard high within our office," continued Robb. "And a thank you to our wonderful and kind student-athletes, who have invited me into their experience here on the Hill. Getting to know them and uplifting their accomplishments often does not feel like work at all and is the reason I show up each day."
 
Robb is the first to share that her passion and creativity is a product of the energy and dedication of St. Olaf student-athletes. Kayla Hatting, the Oles' head softball coach, echoed this fact, highlighting Robb's impact on her team and student-athletes in her last three years behind the lens.
 
"Hannah has been a pivotal part of our athletics department and the experiences of our student-athletes from the day she started working at St. Olaf," Hatting said. "Not only do her videos share the remarkable stories of individuals and teams, and her photos create memories that will forever tie Oles together, but her presence in our community sets her apart from the rest. Hannah is extremely enthusiastic and passionate in everything she does and brings a positive energy that transfers onto everyone that she interacts with. She has done a tremendous job in building relationships with those around her and creating a brand for our athletics community that is of the top tier. Her ability to promote and highlight our student-athletes' accomplishments and successes through her videos, pictures, and social media presence has propelled our athletics department to new heights."
 
As a CSC member, Robb also serves on the Academic All-America Committee as a part of the New Media/Creative Team. A December 2020 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Robb was a CSC Second Team Academic All-America ® selection herself, competing as a four-year starter for the Falcon volleyball team.
 
The MIAC was well-represented in the CSC 30 Under 30 class, as Gustavus Adolphus College's Assistant Sports Information Director Jordan Modjeski joined Robb as a 2024 honoree. Of all conferences represented, the MIAC was one of four in the country to have multiple selections, and one of just two in Division III, joining the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), which led all conferences at any division with three award recipients.
 
Robb and the 29 other recipients will receive their awards at the annual CSC Convention in Orlando, Fla. in June.