Following a highly successful summer membership campaign and drive, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) national organization has seen a record-membership for 2010-11. CoSIDA is comprised of the sports public relations, communications and information professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics. Through October 15, the current active CoSIDA's membership is 2,643, which breaks the former annual membership high of 2,563 set in the 2008-09 academic year.
That total of 2,643 also is up 146 members from last year's total. Included in these record numbers are all-time highs for membership from NAIA schools, with 181 members from the NAIA joining CoSIDA for 2010-11.
Memberships to CoSIDA are open year-round, and athletic communications professionals and those in affiliate organizations are welcome to pursue membership at any time.
" Setting a new annual membership record provides further evidence that CoSIDA has generated some impressive momentum among our colleagues throughout the nation and that is encouraging to our leadership group as we believe it reflects a feeling that we are moving in right direction," said 2010-11 CoSIDA President Larry Dougherty of Temple University.
"Working with divisional leadership groups within CoSIDA, we made a real concerted effort this year to grow our membership numbers within each and every division," concluded Dougherty. "There is no question progress was made in that regard, especially within the NCAA Division II and Division III ranks and among our NAIA institutions. CoSIDA has long sought to be an inclusive membership organization and this year's membership numbers are a reflecton of that."
Facts and figures about CoSIDA's membership
• current membership is 2,643 as of mid-October 2010
• this 2,643 figure breaks the all-time record of 2,563 members (by 80), which was set in 2008-09
• CoSIDA's membership has topped 2,000 for six years in a row, beginning in 2005-06
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CoSIDA's membership has grown by almost 700 (697) in the last six years. That is by far the biggest growth period in the history of the organization. For example: It took from 1984 to 2003 to go from 1304 to 1946 members (an increase of 642). The next closest growth period was an increase of 681 from 1975 (623) to 1984 (1,304).
• currrent Divisional membership breakdown:
- Division I - 1,379
- Division II - 371
- Division III - 451
- NAIA - 181
(note: this is a record number of members from this group)
- Junior College - 31
- Canada - 15
(note: there are actually more than 15 Canadian members but many are from schools that are also previously listed under the NAIA)
- the remaining 215 members represent Lifetime members, Associate members, unaffiliated, etc.
About CoSIDA
"Strategic Communicators for College Athletics"
The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), now in its 54th year, was founded in 1957-making it the second oldest management association in intercollegiate athletics. Today, it is a vibrant 2,600-plus member national association comprised of the sports public relations, communications and information professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada.
CoSIDA has two primary missions: 1) Help the communications and media relations professionals at all collegiate levels with professional development and continuing education as it relates to strategically dealing in an effective manner with the various issues, challenges and opportunities that now exist within the fast-paced and ever-changing communications environment. 2) Play a significant leadership and resource role ( i.e. "Strategic Communicators for College Athletics") within the overall enterprise of collegiate athletics.
CoSIDA founded in the mid 1950's the highly regarded "Academic All-America®" program, unquestionably viewed as the premier awards program in intercollegiate athletics for honoring combined academic and athletic excellence. CoSIDA, which became an affiliated partner with NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) in December of 2008, continues to fully manage and administer that program today.