DEMOREST, Ga. – In a year of change for the Piedmont University Athletic Department, there will be a familiar face running the gameday operation and more, with Director of Athletic Communications Joseph Garwood being picked to lead the department he has served in for the last seven years.
Having originally joined Piedmont following a successful start in communications at the Division I level, Garwood has found a home at Piedmont, taking over for the recently departed Danielle Percival, who served as Piedmont's Assistant AD of Athletic Communications.
Percival departed Piedmont this summer for a role in the conference office at the SCAC, one of Division III's most prestigious and acclaimed leagues. Though Garwood's first career experience came in a Division I role at Wake Forest University, the long-time Piedmont staff member has made his mark on Division III through his work with the Green and Gold.
"Joseph has been an integral part of our department's growth over the past several years, and his leadership, professionalism, and vision for how we tell the story of Piedmont athletics make him the perfect person to lead this area," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jamie Purdy. "He understands the culture and values of Piedmont and has a proven track record of elevating our programs and student-athletes through his work."
Garwood's imprint can be seen throughout Piedmont's digital presence on a variety of social media platforms and live as well as archived broadcast offerings through Piedmont's digital network that showcases home athletic events.
Having been on board for some of Piedmont's more historical moments, including the 2019 NCAA Softball Regional hosted at Walker Athletic Complex, Garwood has a bevy of experience in gameday management at the Division III level and oversees all aspects of the department's operations, including the student-worker program that staffs all home athletic events.
With the ever-changing field of athletic communications at the collegiate level the major focus of a shift in how student-athletes are promoted, Garwood's strategic initiatives have enhanced the storytelling now so commonly associated with Piedmont's Athletic Communications department, including NCAA-wide promotion through Sidearm Narrator.
Garwood originally joined Piedmont in the summer of 2018 as an Assistant Director before being promoted to Director of Athletic Communications in January 2024. Having served as the primary or secondary media contact for all sports offered at Piedmont, his experience sets Garwood up to be one of the most decorated leaders hired to run the communications operations in athletics.
"I'm incredibly honored to continue serving Piedmont in this new capacity," Garwood said. "This department has meant so much to me both personally and professionally, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of our story. We have an outstanding group of student-athletes, coaches, and staff, and I'm excited to continue sharing their successes with our community."
A 2015 graduate of Appalachian State University, Garwood earned his bachelor's degree in history and a minor in political science.
