University of Northern Colorado Director of Athletic Media Relations Kyle Schwartz was one of three sports information directors honored with the first annual RESPecting Volleyball (Recognition for Excellence in Supporting and Promoting Volleyball) honor awarded by Collegiate Volleyball Update (CVU.com).
CVU also honored Hofstra's Stephen Gorchov and Notre Dames Bo Rottenborn with the first annual award, given in an effort to recognize those who work to further the sport of volleyball, especially at the collegiate level.
While faced with the task of managing media coverage as Northern Colorado makes its transition to Division I, Schwartz hasn't let his work with volleyball slip. Quite the opposite, he has taken on the role of representing the Independent teams as a whole, basically serving as their "conference" SID. Schwartz has been instrumental in coordinating awards and stats among the various Independent teams, from filling requests for season stats to providing information on weekly and season award winners. He has also served as the conference SID for independent soccer, mens basketball and baseball.
"I am glad to hear that Kyle is being rewarded for all of his hard work," said Lyndsey Benson, Northern Colorado head volleyball coach. "He does a great job promoting and supporting our program here at Northern Colorado. I speak for the other independent teams in saying that they greatly appreciated his work, which was above and beyond what he had to do in his job description. Kyle loves what he does and it shows. We are very fortunate to have Kyle promoting our program."
In his fourth year at Northern Colorado, Schwartz also serves as the contact for men's basketball, baseball, women's soccer, women's swimming and diving, women's cross country and women's golf in addition to volleyball. Schwartz served as the Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations in his first two years at Northern Colorado, was promoted to Athletic Media Relations Coordinator in July 2004 and was named Director of Media Relations in November 2005.