Note: This is the third story in the CoSIDA Special Awards feature series which will highlight all 2013 Special Award recipients. All recipients will be honored at the CoSIDA Convention (June 12-15) in conjunction with the NACDA and Affiliates Convention at Orlando's Marriott World Center.
See the full list of recipients and features schedule.
by Bill Hamilton, South Carolina State
CoSIDA Special Awards Committee
Sam Blackman is in his 25th year in the Clemson Sports Information Office as a full-time employee. For his long-time service to athletic communications, Blackman will receive a 25-Year Award at the 2013 CoSIDA Convention at the Marriott World Center in Orlando. Blackman and 11 other sports communications professionals will be recognized for 25 years of service in the industry during the Friday, June 14 CoSIDA Special Awards Luncheon.
Blackman's tenure in the office spans some 30 years as he served as a student assistant and graduate assistant for five years before being elevated to full-time status.
“Sam Blackman is one of the most beloved employees in the Clemson Athletic Department,” said longtime Clemson Sports Information Director Tim Bourret. “He is always willing to help a Clemson coach regardless of the sport. He grew up a Clemson fan and first attended a game at Death Valley when he was an infant. He has not missed a Clemson home game in over 40 years. When it comes to the history of any sport at Clemson, Sam knows it.”
Blackman began his career in the Tiger Sports Information Office in 1982, as a student assistant. In 1985, he started a three-year tenure as a graduate assistant before being named a full-time assistant in 1988. He currently serves as the media liaison for men's soccer, men's tennis, rowing, and men's and women's swimming. In addition, he assists with the issuing of the football and basketball media credentials.
Blackman has been cited for his work in the Clemson Sports Information Office on many occasions, winning various honors and awards for outstanding media guides from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Publications Contest.
In 1989, his women’s tennis guided won first place nationally, while his men’s tennis guide and the women's basketball guide were both second in the nation. His women’s tennis guide won Best Cover in the nation in 1998. In 2008, both the Clemson men's tennis guide and the men's soccer guide were selected with second-place finishes in their "Best in the Nation" sport categories and in 2010, the men's tennis guide was judged best in the nation.
Blackman does research work for the Clemson SID office, locating statistical information on early sports teams. In 1999, Blackman co-authored a book entitled Clemson,
Where the Tigers Play, a comprehensive history book on Clemson Athletics.
A Clemson Tiger through and through, Blackman holds three degrees from Clemson. He earned his bachelor’s in parks, recreation and tourism management from the university in 1985, a Master of Education in guidance and counseling in 1987, and a second master's in human resource development in 2007.
At Clemson, Blackman is a member of several honorary fraternities and organizations. He is also a member of the Gideons International.
Outside of his professional duties, Blackman has earned his Black Belt in Karate in the Goju-Ryu System and is currently working on second degree black belt.
A native of Calhoun Falls, S.C., Blackman currently resides in Central, S.C.