ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University will conduct Fall 2024 Commencement Convocation on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, beginning at 10 a.m. in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
The commencement address will be delivered by 1999 SC State graduate Ted Crews, who is amid his first season as special advisor to the president/CEO and chief administrative officer for the Chicago Bears after joining the Bears organization in April.
Seating will be limited to Fall 2024 graduating students, their ticketed guests,
SC State faculty and staff, platform officials and special invitees. Overflow seating will be provided in the Fine Arts Building
The ceremony will be carried live on the university’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/scstate1896.
About Ted Crews
As a proud SC State graduate, Crews was recognized with one of the school’s highest honors in 2014, as he received the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. Crews has been invited by the NFL to help lead the league’s Super Bowl communications staffs on 10 occasions, in addition to numerous Pro Bowls.
An award-winning figure over his two-plus decades in the NFL, Crews has been recognized on three separate occasions at the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation’s Salute to Excellence Awards for his outstanding work and success as an African American in an executive position in the NFL.
In his role with the Chicago Bears, Crews works closely with President and CEO Kevin Warren and the club’s executive leadership team on developing and implementing strategic operational procedures for the cultural advancement of the Chicago Bears, honoring the legacy and integrity of the storied franchise through idyllic representation in day-to-day proceedings.
With his experience, a forward-thinking outlook and a perspective developed over 26 years working the National Football League, Crews oversees all in-house content and production ventures, including the digital and social media arms of the Chicago Bears, brand initiatives and the club’s corporate and football communications efforts.
Prior to joining the Bears, Crews spent 12 years leading communications efforts for the Kansas City Chiefs, providing guidance and oversite throughout the development of his innovative and strategic communications operation. Crews, as spokesperson and primary contact on all communications efforts for the Chiefs, served as the liaison between the club and all levels of external media – local, national and international.
Crews worked closely with Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, Head Coach Andy Reid, General Manager Brett Veach, President Mark Donovan and the club’s key players on problem-solving measures and best practices, providing optimal representation of the club and brand.
Crews oversaw numerous high-profile and progressive organizational projects over his time in Kansas City, including work with club executives on the development of the corporate communications arm of the Chiefs led to unprecedented off-field success as the franchise grew to a level of sustained prominence on the global stage.
Over his decade-plus in Kansas City, Crews led a staff that was instrumental in capitalizing on on-field success through their communications operation and strategy during a span that included three World Championships, four Super Bowl appearances and six-straight AFC Championship Game berths and eight-consecutive AFC West Division titles. Crews’ leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal, as the Chiefs were at the forefront of providing regular access to the club’s players, coaches and executives, as the consistency provided with professional sports aided the world during a challenging time for all.
Off the field, Crews implemented tactical and deliberate ventures for the betterment of the franchise and the club’s impact on the surrounding community, starting with the development of a corporate communications department designed to better serve the needs of the club’s budding business operations.
In consultation and partnership with Donovan and Chiefs leadership, Crews spearheaded the creation of a corporate communications department, an extension of his staff that provided publicity and support to all of the Chiefs’ off-field ventures, including growth in the international market, guidance on publication and branding with prominent corporate partnerships and the hosting of world-class events at Arrowhead Stadium, such as concerts and World Cup matches that reach audiences of global proportions.
Crews joined the Chiefs after spending three seasons as the senior director of communications for the St. Louis Rams (2009-11), where he served as the primary contact on all football matters for ownership, as well as the club’s general manager and head coach, in addition to being the team’s official spokesperson.
Before his time with the Rams, Crews held the role of football communications manager for the Atlanta Falcons (2005-08), a tenure in which he provided media support for the general manager and head coach, in addition to the coaching staff and full player roster.
Crews entered the NFL as an intern with the Carolina Panthers, learning the profession during his time as an undergraduate at SC State. Following two years as an intern, Crews spent five seasons as the media relations assistant for Carolina (2000-04), learning under Charlie Dayton, former Panthers PR director and Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence honoree.
A native of Columbia, Maryland, Crews and his wife, Michelle, have three children – Tesdell Jacob IV, Olivia Celeste and Dean J. William.
