University of Oregon fixture David Williford earns CoSIDA quarter-century honor
by Linda Chalich, Washington State/CoSIDA Special Awards Committee Vice Chair
PULLMAN, Wash. – A fixture at the University of Oregon for 25 years, David Williford was elevated to the position of assistant athletics director for media services in September 1997 after serving as the school’s assistant sports information director for 11 seasons and co-interim director one year later.
For his quarter century of service to the sports information profession, Williford will receive the College Sports Information Director’s of America 25-year Award on Tuesday, July 6, in San Francisco, Calif. Williford will accept the honor at a luncheon ceremony during CoSIDA’s annual convention at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
The CoSIDA 25-Year Award is presented to sports information directors who have completed 25 years in the profession.
Williford joined Oregon’s sports information staff in July 1985 following more than three years as sports information director at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
A 1977 journalism graduate of the University of Kansas, Williford began his career as assistant public relations director at Culver-Stockton College (Mo.). Following two years that included overseeing the sports information operation, he advanced to Drake as assistant sports information director in July of 1979.
During his Oregon tenure, the Olathe, Kan., native helped produce publications that earned national recognition on more than 15 occasions and assisted with the coordination of seven NCAA championship events - including the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship First and Second Round.
He also assisted in the coordination of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials (Track & Field) and aided in the media arrangements surrounding the football team’s 18 post-season appearances in the last 22 years.