Tim Mead
Class of ‘80 Communication
Vice President - Communications
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

You could say that Tim Mead has been an Angel for 25 years, a Los Angeles Angel of Anaheim, that is. A 1980 graduate in communications, his first job turned into a career. Mead's sojourn in professional baseball began when he wrote the Angels' organization for a position as an intern.

"I wrote and told them I'd do anything — sweep floors, stuff envelopes, and so on — and I received three rejection letters," he says. But his dedication paid off. "In 1980, an intern quit in the middle of the summer, and I had been the most persistent person at the time, so they gave me a shot."

He never left. Mead has been the vice president of communications for the past seven years, previously holding positions as assistant general manager, vice president of media relations and assistant vice president of media relations. As director of media relations, he was awarded the Los Angeles/Anaheim Chapter "Good Guy" Award in 1985 and 1990. In 2000, he received the Robert O. Fishel Award for Public Relations excellence in Major League Baseball. He became the 20th recipient of the award in his 20th season with the Angels. In the process, he had his name placed on a plaque with previous winners in baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

His work in public relations began at Cal Poly Pomona where he was the sports editor for the student newspaper and an intern for the Sports Information Office. As such, he worked closely with Coach John Scolinos and the Broncos' 1980 National Champion baseball team. Mead states the championship ring he was awarded as a media assistant for the 1980 Broncos is as important to him as the 2002 Angels championship ring he now wears.

"One of my best memories of the World Series win is that I shared it with Mike Ashman, who throws batting practice for us, and Brent Shyer (former director of sports information at Cal Poly Pomona), both of whom were part of the 1980 championship team," says Mead. "There we were in front of the World Series logo, three Broncos, and I thought—'It doesn't get any better than this.'"

His impact on the university is ongoing. Because Mead asked for and received a key meeting with then university President Hugh O. La Bounty, the Cal Poly Pomona baseball field was eventually named Scolinos Field in honor of the university's legendary coach. Mead recently served as master of ceremonies for the Athletic Hall of Fame banquet and is an active participant in the Athletic department's fundraising events.