Meet Alivia "Liv" Payne, the creative force behind Penn State Schuylkill Athletics' media content and game day production. Liv currently serves as the Coordinator of Game Day Production and Media Content, a role she stepped into after a required internship during her senior year. It was an opportunity she admits she literally begged for. "It started as a mandatory internship and I never left LOL. I found my passion and ran with it," she says. Now heading into her fourth year with the Schuylkill and her second year in this position, Liv has transformed her passion into a career full of energy, connection, and nonstop creativity.
A proud alumna, Liv earned her Bachelor's of Arts in Corporate Communications at Penn State Schuylkill along with a minor in business and a certificate in sports administration. Before that, she attended Penn State Mont Alto for a year, Penn State York through dual enrollment, and Northeastern High School in York, Pennsylvania. She spent one year at Mont Alto playing softball and two years as a student-athlete at Schuylkill, also playing softball and building the relationships that now fuel her drive in athletics media. "I fell in love with the people, the job, and everything about it. I have found a passion here at Penn State Schuylkill and this is my family."
Liv's daily responsibilities include what she affectionately calls "the fun stuff." She runs the athletics social media accounts, creates content, leads media days, edits videos, designs graphics, helps manages game day logistics, and handles livestream production. She brings the same energy to her work as she did to the softball field, where she spent 14 years as a player. "Fun fact, I'm a lefty but I bat right," she shares. "I fell in love with sports because of my dad. Growing up watching football has become such a big part of my life. WE ARE!!! and GO BIRDS!!!"
Her goal for the upcoming year is to keep growing and pushing the standard. "Be better. The sky's the limit. I want to do big things." She is always looking to collaborate with student-athletes and encourages them to stop by with their ideas. "You want to do TikToks? Start a new series? Try something crazy you saw on Pinterest? Please come find me, text me, anything. Even if it isn't media related, I can send you to the right place or help you figure out a situation. I was a student-athlete here just like you. I get it."
Liv's favorite memory at Schuylkill is a moment that confirmed the impact of her work. "Watching the first hype video I made for men's basketball on the wall before a game. Just the chills I got. It felt like I had made something that makes other people feel so loved and special."
She values open communication and teamwork, not only with student-athletes but also with her fellow staff members. "Our staff in athletics is like Jenga. You pull a piece and it will all fall. I love working with Kayla, Owen, and Sam everyday and this place would not thrive without each one of them."
To the athletes, her message is simple and clear. "Help us help you. We as athletic staff want the best for you. Please talk with us so we can get to know you and cater to your needs."
Liv brings energy, creativity, and a deep sense of care to everything she does. "I love crazy, so let's try crazy. D1 mentality on the field and on the socials."
