University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Sports Responsibilities: Volleyball, Men's Basketball, Softball, Men's Golf, Women's Golf

Hunter Plante is in his eighth full year with the Golden Eagle athletic department, currently serving as Assistant Athletics Director of Athletic Operations. He began with UMN Crookston in January of 2019. Plante oversees marketing for the athletic department. In addition, he heads up the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and assists with athletic media relations duties. Plante is also the voice of Minnesota Crookston athletics, serving as the Play-by-Play announcer for Golden Eagle home athletic events. He also assists with intramurals, game management, and ticketing.

Prior to his full-time appointment, he served as an intern for the Minnesota Crookston athletic department from May to December of 2018. In his position, Plante will work to market and promote Minnesota Crookston's 14 athletic programs. In addition, he will assist Director of Athletic Communications Shawn Smith with communications efforts for the entire athletic department.

During his seven-month internship, Plante's primary focus was to help elevate the marketing and promotions efforts of the University by aiding in the creation of a marketing plan. He also helped organize the marketing and promotions students on game days and helped to spearhead in-game promotions. 

In addition, Plante also assisted with the communication efforts of Minnesota Crookston. He wrote and distributed press releases for several sports, including soccer, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and football. Plante was the primary communications contact for soccer. He also provided game statistics for the Golden Eagle soccer program. In addition, he aided with game notes, social media efforts, and special projects. He also helped host video segments and record advertisements for the institution. Plante also assisted with game management for sporting events.

Prior to his internship at Minnesota Crookston, Plante was a radio engineer and technician for the University of North Dakota athletic department. During his three years assisting with the radio efforts at UND, Plante edited soundbites, announced North Dakota volleyball on the radio, and ran the radio dials for football games. He also helped with radio game day management for UND football games, and set up radio equipment for the UND Ground Round Coaches Show.

In addition, Plante has served as a sports writer for the Erskine Echo since May 2013. His primary responsibility has been writing a weekly sports column for the paper. Plante also served as a radio station intern for KRJM Radio under Jim Birkemeyer. He broadcasted and announced area high school athletic events including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. Plante also provided voice-over work for radio commercials, and ran scoreboard for high school sports.

Plante also refs junior high football and basketball throughout the year, mainly for his alma mater, Win-E-Mac High School.

Plante earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of North Dakota in December of 2018 and achieved his Master's Degree in Sport Management from Minnesota State University in May of 2022. He also had a undergraduate minor in sports business. Plante is a native of Erskine, Minn., where he attended Win-E-Mac High School. He will reside in Crookston, Minn.