John Paquette, associate commissioner with the Big East Conference, has been named the recipient of the College Sports Information Directors of America's 2007 Arch Ward Award. The honor annually goes to a CoSIDA member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college sports information and who, by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession.
Paquette will receive his award at CoSIDA's 50th Anniversary workshop in San Diego this summer.
Paquette arrived at the Big East in 1990 as the Director of Public Relations. He was elevated to Assistant Commissioner in 1992 and Associate Commissioner in 1996. At the Big East, he oversees all communications efforts and is the spokesman for the league. One of his major responsibilities is serving as the media coordinator for the Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden.
In addition, he is the executive producer for the league's television public service announcements. He also negotiates national radio agreements for football and basketball and works with corporate sponsors.
Paquette served a two-year term as the spokesman for the Bowl Championship Series in 2002-04 and currently is a member of the BCS Media Operations Committee and the National Communications Directors.
Prior to the Big East, Paquette was an Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at Seton Hall from 1986-90 where he was fortunate enough to be a part of the 1989 Final Four.
Before Seton Hall, he served two-year terms as Assistant Commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Sports Information Director at St. Peter's College and Wagner College. His sports information career began as a graduate assistant at Northeast Louisiana University (now Louisiana-Monroe).
He is a 1978 graduate of Marquette University where he was a journalism major.
Several of his publications have received CoSIDA awards. His 1998-99 men's basketball guide was named best in the nation. In 1999, he received the Irving Marsh Award for excellence in college publicity from the ECAC.