College Sports Information Directors of America

TO: CoSIDA Membership

FR: Justin Doherty, 2009-10 CoSIDA President, Executive Director John Humenik and Barb Kowal, Director of External Affairs

RE: Recap of CoSIDA Board of Directors and Divisional Leadership Initiatives for May

We hope this newsletter finds each of you well as you move into the concluding month of the athletics calendar year. Despite how busy you are, we hope you will take a few moments to review this report on initiatives that have taken place at the CoSIDA leadership levels during the month of May.  

We also are providing members with a listing of CoSIDA Membership Calendar & Deadlines (for June) in this newsletter. Please find the calendar/deadline information below and also online HERE.

Convention Matters

• The 2010 CoSIDA Convention takes place July 4-7 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. You are cordially welcomed, and encouraged, to attend. If indeed you are planning to attend it is important to complete the convention registration process by FRIDAY, June 11^th in order to register for $190 (members). The online registration system will close on the 11^th and registration will only take place at the convention in San Francisco; the on-site registration fees are $225 for CoSIDA members; $225 each for spouses, friends and children; and $325 for non-CoSIDA members.

• The CoSIDA convention online registration system (supported and developed by Sports Systems) is now available – until June 11^th- and can be accessed here: http://www.sportssystems.com/clients/cosida/.

• Room reservations for the convention are now being accepted by the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. We have been provided a direct hotel reservation link for room reservations (just $129 per night) and you can directly reserve your room here: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/cosida2010 .

• The Convention Workshop Program Committee, under the direction of 1^st VP Larry Dougherty (Temple) has nearly finalized the 2010 Convention schedule. The Committee is seeking people to present Table Topics on Monday, July 5. If you have a topic which you feel would benefit the membership and you would be willing to present that topic, please contact Roy Pickerill at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Email the topic and your contact information to Roy at: pickeril@kwc.edu as soon as possible.

• The NCAA Statistical Department personnel will present at the Convention on July 6, and are interested in CoSIDA membership input and ideas regarding specific topics you would like them to discuss.  The NCAA statistic group, headed by Director of Statistics Jim Wright, looks to identify five to six core topics so that issues most important to SIDs will be addressed and discussed. Please email Eric McDowell (Union College) with your topic thoughts at: mcdowele@union.edu.

• You can get a full updated copy of the current San Francisco Convention schedule online here: http://www.cosida.com/news/2010/3/1/0301102744_4961.aspx . Among the highlights of the convention are: 

-        Sunday (July 4th)- Welcome Reception in Exhibitors Hall from noon to 1:30 pm. Divisional based meetings and programming throughout the afternoon.

-        Monday (July 5^th) – Designated as “Best Practices Day”. Programming: Writing for the Web Seminar -Don Ranly, Ph.D., professor emeritus of the Missouri School of Journalism; CoSIDA 101 panel; Personal Balance & Family; Kickoff Luncheon (sponsored by Sidearm Sports, Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award, TRZ Sports, Sports Systems); Credentialing Issues in a New Media Environment; NCAA Statistics; Senior Communicators Meeting; Table Topics; and evening ESPN Reception.

-        Tuesday (July 6^th) – Designated as “Strategic Communicators Day”. Programming: Dealing with Sudden Success & Difficult Seasons; Image & Enhancement; Reputation Management; Strategic Messaging panel – Ari Fleischer (former White House press secretary); Crisis Communications panel – Ben Porritt (Outside Eyes); NCAA Strategic Planning Panel -Erik Christianson (NCAA Director of Public and Media Relations); NCAA Division II Strategic Positioning Platform – Mike Racy, NCAA Vice President forDivision II; NCAA Division III Strategic Positioning Platform – Dan Dutcher, NCAA Vice President forDivision III; all followed by breakout sessions. The Awards Luncheon (with keynote speaker Ari Fleischer) is sponsored by CBS College Sports Network, ASAP Sports, Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award; and theeveningHall of Fame Gala Academic - All-America Hall of Fame and CoSIDA Hall of Fame Induction dinner (sponsored by ESPN and the NCAA).

-        Wednesday (July 7^th)- Designated as Digital Summit Day. Programming: Social Networking panel (David Perry & Associates - a full service strategic communications, marketing, public and media relations firm in San Francisco); The Changing Face of Television (panelists to include executives from CBS, ESPN, and Bill Rasmussen- ESPN Founder), Being Your Own Media panel; Social Networking Trends & Topics; You CAN Do Video; Be Your Own Media (breakout sessions and topics); and Farewell Happy Hour Reception (sponsored by Rose Bowl Game, Fiesta Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Heisman Memorial Trophy).

• Bowl Championship Series Executive Director Bill Hancock and Ari Fleischer, former White House Communications Director who is now owns his own athletics PR business (Ari Fleischer communications) and serves as a consultant in that regard to the BCS, will hold a 9 am session at the convention on July 6^th titled- “You and the BCS.”

• Ron Franklin of ESPN has agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies for the Hall of Fame Gala on Tuesday evening, July 6^th.

• On its May 6^th conference call, the CoSIDA Board unanimously approved a full draft revision and update of the organization’s constitution. Secretary Jeff Hodges (North Alabama) had this updated/revised version of the constitution posted on CoSIDA.com for review and input by the membership. The revised document will be voted on at the annual CoSIDA Business Meeting, held July 7^th in San Francisco. You can review the proposed Constitution revisions here: http://cosida.com/news/2010/5/11/0511105947_224.aspx .

• The newly redesigned CoSIDA.com website project was worked on in May, with a launch scheduled for the second week of June. The redesign project was coordinated by Director of External Affairs Barb Kowal with assistance from the CoSIDA Strategic Branding Committee and Board of Directors input. This redesign concept was developed by the staff of ICS/SIDEARM - a major CoSIDA corporate partner and the organization’s website administrator. The membership is asked to provide your comments/ideas to Barb on this new design via email (barbkowal@cosida.com), and they will be considered as we use the months of June and July to further refine the site; we plan to have the new site fully functional in August as we all get ready to kick off the next academic year.

• Barb Kowal, working with Executive Director John Humenik and CoSIDA President Justin Doherty, began work on the first draft of a CoSIDA marketing/branding document. This initiative came about as a result of meetings CoSIDA leaders had with the NCAA Branding Department on April 15^th in Indianapolis. The NCAA has done such documents for recent DII and DIII branding based initiatives and the NCAA and CoSIDA leadership jointly agreed that doing such a document was an important next step for CoSIDA as it seeks to further develop its strategic resource value and “brand” within the collegiate community - “CoSIDA- Strategic Communicators for College Athletics.”

• President Justin Doherty contributed his monthly “CoSIDA Corner” column for the June issue of NACDA’s Athletics Administration Magazine, his seventh column in this regard since the start of the current academic year. Justin focuses in on the connections and partnerships the CoSIDA leadership has formed with NCAA and NACDA leaders and what impact those relationships have for CoSIDA members. Each issue of NACDA’s monthly magazine is sent to over 10,000 university and athletics administrators and “CoSIDA Corner” provides a key opportunity for our organization’s voice, thoughts and expertise with these key constituents. Doherty’s most recent “CoSIDA Corner” will be available on CoSIDA.com on June 4.

• Over the month of May, 33 CoSIDA-based stories appeared on NACDA’s Daily Review email blast (in a total of 20 daily email blasts for the month) and 11 on the NCAADaily E-mail Blast. Due to this effort, several thousands of university and athletics administrators are being exposed to professional and organizational news that primarily only appeared on the CoSIDA website in the past and was thus only viewed by our membership. In addition, articles, releases and feature stories on Academic All-America baseball/softball/at-large performers and those receiving 2010 CoSIDA Special Awards and honors received vast circulation in the NCAA News Direct and NACDA Daily Review email distribution services as well as on conference and school-specific media outlets and websites.

• During the month of May, 52 articles were posted on our organizational website (CoSIDA.com). In addition, the CoSIDA Twitter page (www.twitter.com/CoSIDAnews) had 293 tweets/postings, all of an informative nature with breaking news and timely topics for athletic communication professionals.

• On May 1^st Executive Director John Humenik wrote NCAA DII Vice President Mike Racy and said, “Saw this article (DII Planning and Finance Committee altering the DII enhancement fund in light of likely growth of that fund due to new TV contract for basketball championships) and was wondering if it is possible that this ‘altering concept’ could be of assistance in the future as it relates to designating some of the money for "training/professional development" of communications directors within DII to better understand and execute NCAA DII communications and branding initiatives. As always, appreciate your time and consideration and your commitment to bring all of the management organizations within DII, including DII-SIDA,  to the table together to advance communications initiatives.” Mike’s response was “I think our professional development for Division II communications directors will occur during our community engagement workshop (planned for April 2011 in Indy) that we are asking Rich to help us plan.”

• On May 3^rd Bill Wagner (DePauw), President of DIII-SIDA, copied John Humenik and Eric McDowell (Union NY) – Chair of the College Division Management Advisory Committee - on correspondence he had received with regard to the NCAA DIII office. Azure Davey said to Bill:

        “Leah Kareti and [DIII VP] Dan Dutcher circled up with Katie Willett and I recently.  Both Katie and I serve as liaisons to the Division III Membership Committee.  As such, one of the things we’re charged with is upkeep and general maintenance of the Institutional Self-Study Guide (ISSG).  In taking a look at the ISSG and thinking about a couple of concepts you voiced in recent conversations with Dan and Leah, I’d suggest adding a couple of questions to the ISSG that are along the lines of providing adequate staffing so that all teams receive equal/adequate coverage.  I’d also suggest adding some other SID-related items (e.g., professional development, etc.). Please take a look at the following questions as well the attached 2009-10 ISSG and let me know your thoughts and feedback.  Here are the questions I’ve produced to date:

        * Does the institution provide adequate sports information staffing and resources such that each sport designated as a part of the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program receive equal and adequate coverage?

        * College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Workshop? - Most recent dates of attendance; List of individuals by title.

        * Does the institution provide a method for ensuring/monitoring/evaluating adequate sports information staffing and resources for each sport designated as a part of the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program?

        Please look at the questions in conjunction with the ISSG.  That will ensure that you understanding the question formatting of each existing section.  If you need any additional context on the ISSG or other related questions, feel free to give me a shout. Thanks, Bill.  Look forward to working with you.”

John Humenik, responding on behalf of the Board, said to to Bill and Eric, “This is a result of the "synergy" we have been working on. By building better relationships with people it leads to meetings which leads to people in those meetings bringing us into the equation more and more because we are becoming a more conscious and subconscious part of discussion. This is a perfect example of that happening within the DIII hallways at the NCAA. I would suggest that you circulate this to the DIII-SIDA Board ASAP and ask for their specific input as to what to say/provide in each of these areas. The two of you can then review and provide the best answer that is needed and appropriate to advance DIII-SIDA strategic objectives and initiatives.”

• John Humenik, Rich Herman (Clarion), President of DII-SIDA and Eric McDowell (Union), Chair of the College Division Management Advisory Committee, participated on a conference call on May 4^th with Mike Racy, VP of NCAA DII, Eric Schoh, VP for DII Athletic Directors Association, Julie Ruppert (DII Conference Commissioners) and Bob Fortosis, DII Management Council to continue discussions amongst this group which first began in February and have continued monthly since. The “tool kit” concept that is being developed by the NCAA to present at the DII-SIDA membership function in San Francisco on July 6^th was reviewed and evaluated. This kit is being put together to aid DII conference offices and individual schools in executing specific communications and branding initiatives. On the call, there were also discussions associated with that group’s appearance and presentation in San Francisco. Was agreed that in addition to the general session for DII membership, this full management group should hold a planning meeting specifically with the DII-SIDA Board in San Francisco. Rich will put that together for the morning of July 6^th. Mike also brought up some things relative to DII Presidents Council and their desire to want to make “communications” more a part of the evaluative process as it relates to DII athletic departments/programs. He said he would send something in that regard to Rich and I later.

• On May 5^th Mike Racy- NCAA VP for DII- informed DII-SIDA President Rich Herman (Clarion) and John Humenik that, “The Division II Presidents Council has agreed to add the following language to their new Athletics Oversight Summary tool that will be shared with all Division II presidents this summer.  It covers about 15 key athletic dept strategies or functions that CEOs must be engaged and it offers suggested questions/topics that CEOs should follow to visit with athletic department staff on a regular basis.Strategic Communications-Discuss the athletics department’s efforts in communicating the Division II student-athlete experience.·What efforts has the athletics department taken to promote the student-athlete experience at our institution?·Does the athletics department work with the university relations office to enhance our strategic communications efforts?·What are the specific performance measurements we are using to evaluate the effectiveness of our sports information/communications director in telling our athletics department’s story?”

• On May 11^th Rich Herman sent a letter to Jim Naumovich, Chair of DII Conference Commissioners. Rich said, “I have enclosed a letter to the NCAA D-II Conference Commissioners that asks them to consider helping fund the SID’s in their conferences get to the CoSIDA Convention both this year and in the future. This is the substance of what we spoke about in our April call. The letter is from myself, John Humenik, Executive Director of CoSIDA, and Eric Schoh, who is Third VP of the ADA. On behalf of the D-II SIDA Leadership Board, CoSIDA and all of our membership, please know we are extremely grateful for your thoughts, help and support in this and so many other matters. Thanks again for distributing this to the Commissioners!”

 That same day, Naumovich distributed Rich’s letter to all DII Conference Commissioners and said, “Commissioners: Please see the email below from Rich Herman as well as the memo that is attached to this email.  This is a follow-up to Rich’s presentation to the CCA at our January meeting in Atlanta. During the April meeting of the DII Management Council information was shared about growing combined efforts to more actively integrate institutional and conference SIDs/Media Relations Directors with promoting the Strategic Positioning Platform and branding NCAA Division II.”

• Eric McDowell, Chair of the College Division Management Advisory Committee, held a conference call with that group on May 25^th. They were joined by Dan Dutcher, NCAA DIII VP. The focus of the call was for Dan to update that group on the activation of the DIII Identity Initiative, which is going well, and to prepare for the ECAC-SIDA and COSIDA Convention presentations and related follow-up.  There was also discussion about Dan and NCAA DIII staff doing a follow-up conference call/Webinar in July/August on the branding initiatives that would be available to all DIII SIDs so that those not in San Francisco can be brought into the loop.

• Over the course of the month, Charles Bloom (SEC), who serves as Chair of the University Management Advisory Committee, and John Humenik continued to refine the formation of three specific Division I SIDA organizations: FBS- SIDA, FCS-SIDA and D1AAA-SIDA. Each of the three organizations would be composed of one representative from each of the conferences that compose each of those specific divisional groups. A President/Chair will lead each of those three groups and they will join Charles on the Executive Committee for the University Division Management Advisory Committee. The plan is to finalize this management structure at the DI level prior to the convention and use the convention to start putting objectives and initiatives into place. The leadership of DI felt it was appropriate to go to this divisional leadership model based on the success that other divisional leadership groups- specifically DII-SIDA and DIII-SIDA – displayed over the course of this past year.

•John Humenik worked with the PR Directors for all Division I conferences to provide them with a document that recaps and reviews the CoSIDA Board and DI leadership progress relative to various initiatives over the course of the 2009-10 academic year. This document has been/will be provided to each conference PR Director for distribution to their appropriate league PR Directors prior to their respective spring meetings. This document was presented to Courtney Morrison-Archer for Conference USA’s meeting on May 5^th and Scott Chipman of the Big Ten for that league’s PR meeting on May 6^th.

• John Humenik is working with Rich Herman, President of DII-SIDA, and Bill Wagner, President of DIII-SIDA, to put together a review document of CoSIDA Board and DII/DIII leadership initiatives over the past year which Rich and Bill will then distribute to their respective membership during June.

• John Humenik  is working with Eric McDowell, Chair of the College Division Management Advisory Committee, Bill Wagner, President of DIII-SIDA, Rich Herman, President of DII-SIDA, and Dick Lipe, Chair of the Academic All-America Committee, to evaluate, explore options, and conduct appropriate discussions with various leadership groups, both inside and outside of CoSIDA, in regards to  a possible expansion of the Academic All-America program within the college division ranks.

2010 CoSIDA Special Awards & Honors

• Congratulations are in order for the following individuals who will be receiving 2010 CoSIDA Special Awards or recognition for service at the upcoming Convention in San Francisco. The CoSIDA Hall of Fame is selected by former Hall of Fame members, while the Academic All-America Hall of Fame classes and Lester Jordan Award recipients are chosen by the CoSIDA Academic All-America Committee. The Dick Enberg Award is voted upon by a special committee and Dick Enberg.

*- Nominated by colleagues/CoSIDA members, these awards are voted upon by the CoSIDA Special Awards Committee.

CoSIDA Hall of Fame Class of 2010:Roger Crosley (Emerson College); former CoSIDA president Max Corbet (Boise State University); John Eggers (Oregon State); Dave Kellogg (Air Force Academy); Larry Happel (Central College); Carol Hudson   (Old Dominion); and CoSIDA’s Director of External Affairs Barb Kowal. Kellogg and Eggers were selected by the Veterans Selection Committee; the other five were selected by a vote of the current CoSIDA Hall of Famers.

CoSIDA Academic All-America® Hall of Fame Class of 2010:Dr. James Kovach, ’78 of the University of Kentucky (football);  Dewey Selmon, ’76 of the University of Oklahoma (football); Adonal Foyle, ’99 of Colgate University (basketball); and Anita DeFrantz, ‘74 of Connecticut College (rowing).

*Arch Ward Award(presented to University Division member for outstanding contributions to college sports information and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession): Al Shrier (Temple)

*Warren Berg Award(presented to College Division member for outstanding contributions to college sports information and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession): Dennis O’Donnell (University of Rochester)

*Jake Wade Award (presented to an individual from the media who has made an outstanding contribution in the media to the field of intercollegiate athletics): Pam Ward (ESPN)

*Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award(presented annually to a member for civic involvement and accomplishments outside of the sports information office): Tim Kennedy (Gustavous Adolphus)

Lester Jordan Award (presented to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America Award Program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete): Michael Wolf (Northwestern)

Dick Enberg Award(given annually to the individual furthering the meaning and reach of the Academic All-America® Teams Program and/or the student-athlete while promoting the values of education and academics): Tom Hansen (Pac-10 Conference)

*Trailblazer Award(presented annually to an individual who is a pioneer in the field of sports information who has mentored and helped improve the level of ethnic and gender diversity within CoSIDA): Christine Plonsky (University of Texas)

*Rising Star Award (presented annually to a University Division member and a College Division Member with 10 years of service or less whose work at their institution and service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession make that individual a “rising star” in sports communications): Sarah Meier (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference)- College Division; Dan Drutz (St. Peter’s College)- University Division.

Lifetime Achievement Award (given to long-time SIDs upon their retirement or upon leaving the profession): Wayne Block (Christopher Newport); former CoSIDA president Rod Commons (Washington State University); Rick Covington, most recently of the Blue-Gray Football Classic; Paul Carson (University of Toronto); former CoSIDA president Langston Rogers (Ole Miss); Bill Steinman (Columbia University); and Woody Wilk (Fresno City College).

25-Year Award (members who have completed 25 years in the profession): Alan Cannon (Texas A&M); Rick Covington (Blue-Gray Classic; John Czimbal (Cal State Fullerton);Wallace Dooley, (Tennessee State University); CoSIDA 1^st VP Larry Dougherty (Temple); Mark Engel (Detroit Mercy); Bob Guptill (Great Northwest Athletic Conference); Bill Mahoney (Cal State Santa Barbara);  Jeff Nelson (Penn State); Scott Selheimer (Delaware); Dave Sherwood (Wingate); Bob Shreve (Edinboro); Dr. Bill Smith (Arkansas); Don Tomkalski (Tulsa); David Williford (Oregon); Woody Wilk (Fresno City College); andMichael Wolf (Northwestern).

• The 2010 Academic All-America Hall of Fame class was announced on May 24. The four-member class is: will be inducted on the evening of Tuesday, July 6^th at the Hall of Fame Gala. See the full release here: http://cosida.com/news/2010/5/24/0524102151_8108.aspx. Enshrinement ceremonies will include: A pair of former Academic All-America® football selections, Dr. James Kovach, ’78 of the University of Kentucky and Dewey Selmon, ’76 of the University of Oklahoma; former Academic All-America® basketball standout and current NBA player Adonal Foyle, ’99 of Colgate University; and Connecticut College rowing star and former Olympian Anita DeFrantz, ’74.