Newswise — Stephen W. Dittmore, assistant professor and program coordinator for recreation and sport management, is available to comment on sports crisis communications in relation to Penn State University.

Before beginning his academic career, Dittmore worked for a decade in sports public relations in the Olympic movement and has personal experience handling communication in a crisis. He is co-author of the textbook for the field, Sports Public Relations: Managing Stakeholder Communication, including the chapter “Communicating in Times of Crisis.”

Dittmore noted that Penn State’s cancellation of Tuesday’s press conference is an example of not sharing information at a time they should be talking to the media and the public.

“In the absence of information, guilt is assumed, and things get worse and worse,” Dittmore said.