College Sports Information Directors of America

The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) honored two of its most-decorated members by naming two scholarships in their honor at the organization's annual workshop in Tampa, Fla., earlier this month.

The Fred Nuesch-Dave Wohlhueter Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded to two students working in sports information offices at member institutions. The scholarships, currently valued at $2,500 apiece, were initiated in 1999 as part of a continuing effort to assist students interested in pursuing a career in sports information.

"We have a history in our organization, and we need to continue that legacy," said Union College (N.Y.) sports information director Eric McDowell in recommending the honor. "Dave and Fred have done so much for so many years, and neither had had an award named for them. Now we can recognize them in perpetuity for what they've done for our organization."

"I believe this is a tremendous way for CoSIDA to recognize two individuals who have made outstanding contributions to our organization for many years. This ensures that their contributions to CoSIDA will be remembered for generations to come," added CoSIDA president Nick Joos of Baylor University.

Nuesch and Wohlhueter each have received numerous honors from the organization, and are both enshrined in the CoSIDA Hall of Fame (Nuesch in 1983, Wohlhueter in 1986). Nuesch was the CoSIDA secretary from 1979-2002 during his tenure at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) and also served six years as a College Division representative on the CoSIDA Board. Wohlhueter has held the post of CoSIDA treasurer since 1977 after a three-year tenure on the CoSIDA Board.

Nuesch was the first winner of CoSIDA's Warren Berg Award---presented annually to a CoSIDA College Division member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of sports information---in 1985, and also won the Arch Ward Award in 1996. The Arch Ward Award is given annually to a CoSIDA member who by his or her activities has brought dignity and prestige to the profession. Nuesch also received the Distinguished Service Award in 2002 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

Wohlhueter, formerly the sports information director at Ithaca College, Bucknell University and Cornell University, was named the Arch Ward Award honoree in 1992 and added the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. He was presented with the Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award in 2007 for his civic involvement and accomplishments outside of the sports information office.

"This is a great and unexpected honor. Any time an organization honors you, it's flattering, and it's special to be linked with Dave in this honor," Nuesch said. "These scholarships are invaluable, and it's an honor to be associated with this scholarship. CoSIDA is a great organization, and has a special place in my memories. The other honors are nice, but this is one that helps young people get their education and do what they want to do. We need to encourage people to come into this profession, and I hope these scholarships can help accomplish that."

"This was a complete surprise and a great honor," Wohlhueter said. "I thank Eric for coming up with this idea. I'm glad that CoSIDA veterans like Fred and I can have their names associated with young people to carry our profession into the future."

"It's fitting to have Dave's name associated with something financial, like these scholarships, for all of his service as our treasurer through the years," McDowell noted.

CoSIDA also provides two Postgraduate Scholarships each year, with each winner receiving $5,000 toward their studies. The Postgraduate Scholarship is the organization's oldest and most prestigious scholarship available to student employees, dating to 1981. One of those awards is named to longtime Scholarships Committee chair Wiley Smith of Northern Arizona University.
Since presenting the first Postgraduate Scholarship in 1981, CoSIDA has provided more than $350,000 in grants to students working in sports information offices at member institutions and conferences.