NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Norwich University's Department of Athletic Communications has announced a promotion and a new addition to its staff, as Nico Leonard M'27 has been elevated to Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and James Salvas M'28 has been named Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.

Leonard moves into a full-time role after serving during the 2025-26 season as Athletic Communications Specialist, where he made an immediate impact across game-day operations, photography, videography, social media, statistics, live broadcasts, and written coverage.  Salvas joins the department after serving as the play-by-play voice of Norwich women's ice hockey during one of the most successful seasons in program history.

The moves continue the growth of a department responsible for coverage of Norwich's 23 varsity programs, live event productions, digital storytelling, statistics, record keeping, press releases, social media, photography, videography, website management, and championship-level event support.

The Athletic Communications office operates within Norwich University's broader Marketing and Communications Office, with Marc Kolb, Associate Vice President of Campus and Athletic Communications, helping guide the University's athletic storytelling and communications strategy.  Day-to-day athletic communications operations are overseen by Ben Zacher '20 M'25, Associate Director of Athletic Communications, who was recognized nationally by College Sports Communicators as a member of the 2025 CSC 30 Under 30 Class.

"This is an exciting step for our department and for the continued growth of Athletic Communications at Norwich," Zacher said.  "Nico earned this opportunity through his work ethic, creativity, and the trust he built with our coaches and student-athletes during his first year in Northfield.  His ability to tell stories visually has already made a major impact on how we cover and promote our programs, and I am excited to see him continue to grow in a full-time role.

"James also made a strong impression during his first year with us as the voice of women's ice hockey.  He brought energy, preparation, and genuine enthusiasm to one of the most memorable seasons in program history, and we are excited to help him develop in all areas of Athletic Communications.  With Nico and James in these roles, our department is in a strong position to keep elevating the way we tell the stories of Norwich student-athletes."

Leonard quickly became one of the department's most visible creative voices during his first year in Northfield, using his photography, videography, and multimedia background to help elevate coverage across Norwich Athletics.  His work, including content shared through his @nmlcreativemedia platform, has become widely recognized across campus and throughout the region, while also helping generate increased engagement across the primary Norwich University and Norwich Cadets social media channels.

During the 2025-26 academic year, Leonard served as a statistician for baseball and softball, traveled with the women's ice hockey team to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four as a photographer and videographer, and traveled with the men's ice hockey team during its NCAA Tournament run to the national quarterfinal round.  He also helped chronicle several of the department's most meaningful moments of the year, including the GNAC Cross Country Championships, the Ed Hockenbury Classic, the Chris Munn 7s Rugby Tournament, the men's and women's swimming & diving programs' fourth consecutive GNAC championships, and postseason runs across soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, and other programs.

"First, I want to thank Ben Zacher and Marc Kolb for this opportunity to be where I am at this school right now," Leonard said.  "I'm really so fortunate to have gotten this opportunity so soon here.  When I came in as a GA, I came in with little to no expectations other than to get better at my craft every day, get good grades, and walk away with my master's.

"I could not have imagined I'd be sitting in a full-time role before grad school ended, ready to make a mark on an athletic department so early in my career.  I love telling stories of athletes that are so passionate and in love with their sport as they are at the Division III level.  The stories are endless in this department, both visually and written, and I know that having been a Division III athlete myself.  I am surrounded by people who push me to be better every day, and coaches and athletes who pour endless support my way with everything I do."

In his new role, Leonard will serve as the primary Athletic Communications contact for men's and women's rugby in both 15s and 7s, men's and women's soccer, men's golf, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's swimming & diving.  He will also continue completing his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership at Norwich.

Leonard came to Norwich after completing his undergraduate degree at Utica University, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in communications and media and a concentration in creative studies.  At Utica, he captained the men's soccer team, served as general manager for the campus television studio, worked as a creative athletics photographer, and gained professional live production experience as a camera operator for the Utica Comets, the American Hockey League affiliate of the New Jersey Devils.

His growing portfolio also includes freelance photography with the New York Red Bulls, coverage of the 2025 Army-Navy Football Game in Baltimore, and on-air hosting work during the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four.

Salvas joins the department after becoming part of the Norwich Athletics broadcast team during the 2025-26 women's ice hockey season.  He served as the play-by-play broadcaster for all 16 home games during a historic campaign that saw the Cadets finish 26-3-0 overall, go 18-0-0 in their inaugural Little East Conference season, capture both the LEC regular season and tournament championships, and advance to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four for the first time since 2018.

Salvas was on the call for several of the program's biggest moments of the season, including Norwich's 3-1 victory over UMass Boston in the Little East Conference Championship and the Cadets' 1-0 win over No. 7 Hamline University in the NCAA Quarterfinals at Kreitzberg Arena.

"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Athletic Communications staff at Norwich University," Salvas said.  "I'm excited to continue learning from Ben, Nico, Marc, and everyone in the department while building my skills in sports writing, broadcasting, and the day-to-day operations of athletic communications.  Being part of last year's women's hockey season showed me how special Norwich Athletics is, and I can't wait to continue working with the coaches, student-athletes, and staff on a daily basis."

As Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant, Salvas will assist with game-day coverage, statistics, written content, broadcasts, social media, and department operations.  He will serve as the primary contact for rifle, women's volleyball, men's and women's wrestling, baseball, and softball, while also continuing as the play-by-play voice of Norwich women's ice hockey during the 2026-27 season.  He will also pursue his Master of Science in Leadership at Norwich.

Salvas arrives at Norwich after graduating from Vermont State University Lyndon in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.  At Lyndon, he built a strong foundation in broadcasting and college athletics, serving as a student assistant with the men's basketball program under Head Coach Dave Pasiak while also becoming one of the primary voices of Lyndon athletics.

Known by many as "The Voice of Lyndon," Salvas called a variety of sports, including basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball, and became closely associated with Lyndon's game-day coverage through his energetic and distinctive commentary style.

Outside of Lyndon, Salvas has also called local high school basketball games for Northeast Sports Network, WDEV Radio, and Hardwick Community Television.  He has also served as a stock car racing broadcaster for WDEV at Thunder Road.

His contributions to Lyndon athletics earned him the Skip Pound Service to Athletics Award in 2024-25.  He was also selected for honorary membership in the Arthur B. Elliott Honor Society, which recognizes graduating seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership, service to the college, and dedication to a chosen profession.

The Athletic Communications staff will continue to support Norwich's varsity programs throughout the 2026-27 academic year while expanding the department's coverage through written storytelling, visual content, live broadcasts, social media, and enhanced game-day operations.