Note: This is the fifth story/announcement 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 Jack Neumann, University of Calgary
CoSIDA Special Awards Committee member
After 40 years of dedicated service, one of the most honored and esteemed Sports Information Directors is retiring. Bill Hamilton, one of the most respected Sports Information Directors to serve the profession began his career at South Carolina State in 1973. Since joining the department, he has had four decades of uninterrupted service to the university community.
Hamilton will receive a 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual CoSIDA Convention, taking place this June at the Orlando Marriott World Center. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to CoSIDA members who have served at least 25 years in the profession (as of June 2013) who are retiring or leaving the profession.
A native of Baltimore, MD., but who grew up in Chesterfield, South Carolina, Hamilton graduated from South Carolina State in 1973. He was interviewed for the job by then public relations director Marlverse Nicholson. Eventually late SC State President Maceo Nance created a sports information position and Hamilton was placed in charge on the campus located in Orangeburg, S.C.
During his tenure Hamilton has witnessed numerous technological changes in the business both internally and externally. Hamilton got it done by sending press releases, game stories and features on his coaches and athletes all over the country. When he started in the business, he used a typewriter, telecopier and mimeograph. To his credit and professionalism, Hamilton embraced these changes.
Hamilton has seen over 400 S.C. State football games, five NCAA men’s basketball tournaments involving the Bulldogs, and was present when South Carolina State were AIAW Division II women’s basketball champions in 1979.
Hamilton’s work has earned him induction into three Halls of Fame (S.C. State Athletics, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and College Sports Information of America) and the prestigious Herman Helms Media Excellence Award this past May. He was the second recipient of the award named after the long time sports editor for The State newspaper credited with reviving interest in the S.C. Athletics Hall of Fame and its first media inductee.
Bill has mentored numerous aspiring Sports Information Directors and has been active in CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). He has served CoSIDA being a part of numerous committees, serving on the CoSIDA Board and has been active with the Black College Sports Information Directors of America (BCSID).
In addition to be inducted into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame (2009) Hamilton has received the Bob Kenworthy Award (1998) for service to his community, and the Arch Ward Award (2009) for the Division I SID who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of college sports information, and by his or her activities, who has brought dignity to the profession.