GRANVILLE, Ohio (August 1, 2022) – Login Agin ’20, an alum of the Denison University women’s soccer team and member of the Denison Sports Network, is using her experiences from Denison to rise in the ranks of professional soccer, but on a path away from the field.
During her time as a member of the women’s soccer team, Denison won the 2016 North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and were the 2018 NCAC regular-season champions. In addition to her time on the soccer pitch, Agin was a communication major at Denison with a concentration in narrative journalism who was a member of Denison’s communication honor society, Lambda Pi Eta. A standout in the classroom, she was honored at Denison’s Top-50 Student-Athlete Celebration in 2019 and 2020 and was named to the NCAC Academic Honor Roll in 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20.
Now, Agin is the Communications Coordinator at Racing Louisville FC, a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team based in Louisville, Kentucky.
“For the past year and a half, I have been working for Racing Louisville FC in the National Women’s Soccer League,” began Agin. “At the club, I manage the club’s social media platforms, along with helping with the team’s website and media relations. I travel with the team around the country, where I help tell the story of the club and its players. I get to come up with fun ways to create content around the team from what they are doing on the field to who the players are off the field.”
As most people now, timing is everything, and for Agin, the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic made it extra tough for recent graduates to get on their feet and follow their dreams, but that did not stop her.
“I graduated right at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Agin. “There was not much sports going on and I knew it and I knew it was going to be really hard to find a job in professional sports. I wanted to do everything I could to give myself a leg up once those jobs became available. During that year, I did a bunch of freelance work outside of soccer and did some blogging/podcasting about soccer to continue to build a resume within the game. In November of 2020, I got the opportunity to help out my hometown club, the Columbus Crew, with its media relations during MLS Cup playoffs, along with the final. About a month later, I was given my current opportunity to join Racing for its inaugural season in the NWSL.”
For Agin, soccer has been a part of her life since the beginning.
“I always joke that it was love at first sight for me with soccer,” continued Agin. “One of my first memories I have is watching my older brother play soccer and thinking about how much I wanted to join in. I think growing up and playing sports helped me find a competitive outlet and a place where I could express myself. I don’t think I really stood out on the field based on any skill or athletic ability. I was never the most talented or fastest or smartest player. What I think really set me apart was my heart. Whether it was just playing around for fun or an NCAC tournament match, I always tried to do things as hard as I could. I think that mentality has served me well in life outside of playing.”
In addition to her passion and love for the sport of soccer, Agin also credits her time as a member of the Denison Sports Network as a key in her professional development and getting her to where she is today.
“I started working with the Denison Sports Network because they needed people to work during Thanksgiving break,” said Agin. “My freshman soccer season had just ended, and everyone was going home for the break and DSN was looking for people to help out during the holiday. Since I am from Columbus, a senior on the soccer team, Naomi Barker, recommended me to help. Since that day, I was hooked. I think I tried just about everything for DSN. I even tried color commentary once (sincerest apologies to anyone listening in on that day). My favorite thing about DSN was doing postgame interviews and standups because it helped me think about how I can tell the story of a singular game in a larger context.”
When asked what made her decide a career in both media and soccer was the right choice for her, Agin commented, “Working in media was something I always had an inkling that I wanted to do. Growing up, I wanted to be a journalist, but through some internship experiences I was pushed in the directions of PR and social media for an organization. I love how in this role, I get a part in telling the story of the team, while also being part of it. As for a soccer, I think that comes back to my last college game at Denison. I don’t think I was at a place to give up the game just because I wasn’t playing competitively anymore. I wanted to be around the game at the highest level possible past when I finally had to hang up the cleats. Through what I do, I get to marry two things I have always loved: media and soccer. And women’s soccer is in such an exciting place in the U.S. and around the globe. Earlier this year, Barcelona’s women’s team sold out the Camp Nou bringing in over 100,000 fans. We are seeing similar things now in the women’s Euros and around the NWSL. Being part of that growth has been special.”
Everyone knows that college is what you make of it, and when looking back on her college days, Agin remembers the support those at Denison have for each other.
“I think some of my favorite memories at Denison were supporting my classmates at their sporting events,” she added. “When I wasn’t busy with soccer or working with DSN, I’d often still go to the games. I had a lot of good friends on almost every team on campus so there was always some event I could go to and cheer on the people who made the Denison experience so special. Outside of athletics, I also have really fond memories of finals week, funny enough. I would usually get up at 7 a.m. and find a classroom in Knapp, Talbot and once even the Burton Morgan ballroom that would be a base for my friends that day. Depending on what people had going on that day, people would filter in and out during the day preparing for finals and writing papers. Inevitably, we would distract one another at some point and that is where I think my strongest bonds were built.”
In addition to all of those who pushed her at Denison, Agin is quick to thank her family and those who helped her become the woman she is today.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents,” said Agin. “Without Frank and Linda pushing and supporting me growing up, I don’t know where I would be. My brothers, Lucas and Chase, also played a major role in me becoming who I am today by giving me thick skin and the willingness to take risks. I think my coaches always played a role in who I am today. They took a risk on my and taught me to never give up no matter what anyone thinks and that risks are worth taking. I would like to thank my friends from Denison. No matter who crazy my goals and plans were, they always supported me and continue to support my crazy plans. Lastly, I think the people who mentored me along the way, whether it was Jason Miller, Craig Hicks, Curt Ashcraft and Brandon Morgan at Denison or Clay Hall, David Cath, Carlos Mojica and Arica Kress through my various internships. I wouldn’t be where I am today without each of them supporting me along the way.”
Last but not least, Agin leaves her advice for future Big Red student-athletes.
“Go all out,” she concluded. “You only get four years to be a college athlete, why not do everything at 100 percent. But also, remember to have fun. Being a college athlete is something that you should enjoy because not everyone gets that opportunity. To be a part of the Denison family means everything. With my job, I have traveled everywhere from D.C. to Chicago to San Diego. At just about every stop along the way, I have someone I know nearby. I love that everywhere I go, I have someone who understands what it means to be a Denison alum.”
