From Texassports.com
University of Texas Assistant Athletics Director/Media Relations John Bianco has been named the Scoop Hudgins Outstanding Sports Information Director by the All-American Football Foundation. Bianco will receive the award, which honors career achievement for college football sports information and publicity, on Thursday, June 10 during the organization's 61st Banquet of Champions at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas.
Bianco, who is completing his 12th year at The University of Texas this spring, has handled all media relations activities for the Longhorns' football program since the 1995 season. After serving as football SID for three years, he was promoted to his current post as Assistant AD/Media Relations prior to the 1998-99 academic year. Among his duties, Bianco maintains the responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day media relations for all UT men's sports.
"John exemplifies what we are all looking for in a SID," said Texas head football coach Mack Brown. "He has a passion for sports and for the kids. He communicates exceptionally well with the players and has a great relationship with the media. He respects the integrity of The University, knows the impact he can make through his job and represents our program and the department very well. We're proud of him."
During Bianco's tenure as football SID, he has promoted eight student-athletes who have earned consensus first-team All-America honors (Tony Brackens, DE, 1995; Dan Neil, OG, 1996; Ricky Williams, RB, 1997-98; Leonard Davis, OT, 2000; Casey Hampton, DT, 2000; Quentin Jammer, CB, 2001; Derrick Dockery, OL, 2002; Derrick Johnson, LB, 2003). Bianco was the point person for managing interviews and publicity for Ricky Williams, who went on to earn the Heisman Trophy in 1998.
Bianco also has accompanied teams to nine bowl games and three Big 12 Conference Championship games during his 12 seasons at Texas. He managed UT's publicity efforts for swimming & diving and track & field and was the media coordinator for the Texas Relays from 1993-95. Bianco also has served as media coordinator for two NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds and one Regional Championship.
Prior to joining the UT staff, Bianco served as assistant SID at the University of Cincinnati (1990-92), where he worked with the football and men's and women's basketball programs. A 1988 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College (Berea, Ohio), he was an intern handling SID duties for women's basketball, cross country and track & field at Fresno State in 1989-90. Bianco also completed an internship at the University of Arkansas (1988-89), where he managed the SID responsibilities for cross country, track & field and swimming while assisting with men's basketball and football.
Scoop Hudgins was a pioneer in the sports information field whose stints included time at the Southeastern Conference office and Vanderbilt University. The All-American Football Foundation's 61st Banquet of Champions will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 6:45 p.m.