Saint Mary's Press Release on Nadeau's Honor
WINONA, Minn. — Over the years, Saint Mary's University's sports information director Donny Nadeau has put together quite an impressive awards and honors list:
• Nineteen years of dedicated service to Saint Mary's University
• Three Saint Mary's University employee recognition awards
• Second in District – Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) Fred J. Stabley writing award
• Third in Nation – CoSIDA Fred J. Stabley writing award
• Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Mike Augustin Award for outstanding contributions to MIAC athletic programs and student-athletes
On April 1, 2014, another prestigious honor will be added to Nadeau's resume – the Saint Mary's University Heffron award. The Heffron award – named after the founder of Saint Mary's University, Bishop Patrick Heffron – is awarded to an employee who has contributed positively to the life of the university, has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the values of the university, and has been a model of the Lasallian spirit in interactions with colleagues and students. The award will be presented to Nadeau at the University's Founder's Day celebration on April 1, 2014.
"I am truly honored and very much humbled to be receiving the Heffron Award," said Nadeau. "It's a wonderful honor to be receiving this award – to be recognized for my positive contributions, long-term commitment to the values of SMU, and modeling of the Lasallian spirit is really special. However, the spotlight really needs to be shined on the people who make doing this job so rewarding — from the Athletic Department and its amazing group of hard-working coaches, to the Communication and Marketing team, to the many student-athletes I interact with on a daily basis."
Nadeau has a dizzying resume of accomplishments and work hours that would make even the most dedicated person cringe. Nadeau is responsible for all aspects of sports information for Saint Mary's University, including statistics, press releases, media relations, print materials, promotions, award nominations, and more. In addition, he is the Web master of SMU's athletic Web site and a member of the University magazine editorial staff. He has also utilized technology as well as any MIAC SID, supplementing his abundance of written online content with innovative videos, digital media guides and social media. With nearly 300 home and away athletic events annually, the pace at which Nadeau works to keep Cardinal fans up to date is admirable to say the least.
While Nadeau takes a humbled approach to this award and his work, the intercollegiate athletics community recognizes Nadeau as the driving promotional force behind Cardinal athletics since the start of the 1994-95 academic year. He is lauded in the MIAC and nationally as an innovative professional and is held as a role model of excellence in the industry. Dan McKane, executive direction or the MIAC, calls Nadeau "the ultimate professional. His work is exemplary. He clearly takes pride in how he represents Saint Mary's along with the student-athletes and coaches. He's committed and passionate. Donny is one of the best individuals I get to work with in the conference." Matt Higgins, assistant executive director of the MIAC, echoes these accolades. "In a constantly evolving industry, [Nadeau's] promotion of Saint Mary's teams, coaches and student-athletes has been second-to-none. He has long been one of the model SIDs in the MIAC and all of NCAA Division III."
Jim Cella, sports information director at fellow MIAC institution Concordia College applauds Nadeau as well. "Donny is always trying to find the latest ways in technology and communication techniques to support Saint Mary's athletics. He has been at the forefront of MIAC sports information directors when it comes to new ideas for promoting Cardinal sports teams. I have always admired Donny for his tremendous spirit, determination and work ethic when it comes to handling all 21 Saint Mary's athletic teams. His positive attitude and approach to the job has been an inspiration to all his fellow SID's in the conference."
However, credentials and job descriptions cannot tell the true essence of what Nadeau means to Saint Mary's University and Cardinal athletics — and what Saint Mary's means to Nadeau. For Nadeau, the position of sports information director and his relationship to Saint Mary's University is much more than a job, it is a family affair and a job he loves. A 1985 Saint Mary's graduate and a member of the men's hockey team, Saint Mary's University has been a part of Nadeau's life for nearly 35 years. The fact that his wife Deedee (Strickland, '85) Nadeau and two sons Andy '07 and Joey '12 – who were also both members of the men's hockey team – are all Saint Mary's graduates just adds to the special relationship the entire family has with the University.
"Saint Mary's is such a special place to me — there's something about this wonderful university that brings out the best in people," stated Nadeau. "I loved my time as a student here — highlighted by meeting my wife, Deedee — and have cherished my time as the school's sports information director. I love my job as much today as I did when Dr. Mary Fox and Bob Conover took a chance and gave me the opportunity to return to my alma mater 19 years ago."
And his colleagues and student-athletes could not be happier for Donny or more appreciative of his efforts and dedication to Saint Mary's University.
"Donny's impact on the athletic department, the university, and our current, former and prospective student-athletes cannot be overstated," stated Nikki Fennern, Saint Mary's University director of athletics. "His tireless dedication to the athletic department has been a cornerstone in the recruitment, retention and recognition of student-athletes. He continually provides fans of SMU athletics up-to-the-minute updates on results and accomplishments of the Cardinals. He has made the extraordinary and cutting-edge aspects of sports information the norm at SMU.
"On a daily basis, Donny pours his heart and soul into this place he loves that is his second home — Saint Mary's University. His passion for his work and this place serves as a model for all employees. He is very deserving of this honor and truly represents the essence of the Heffron award."
Nick Lemmer, associate vice president, marketing and communication agrees. "Donny has an amazing work ethic and extraordinarily positive attitude. When you combine that with exceptional knowledge and skills, you get a top performer like Donny Nadeau. He strives to be the best—and it shows. His 19-year commitment to doing what is best for the university, its student-athletes and their families makes him an exemplary Heffron Award recipient.
Bill Moore, SMU's head men's hockey coach, who has known Nadeau for over 40 years as a friend, as a college teammate and classmate, and as a colleague in the athletic department, also praises Nadeau's work ethic and dedication. "I have never heard the word 'no' come out of [Nadeau's] mouth when I have asked for something to be done. I have been lucky to have [Nadeau] as a friend for the past 40 years. He is the most dedicated person that I know. He never wants any recognition for what he has done, but our program is much better because of him. We are very lucky to have Donny at SMU."
Nadeau continues to deflect the attention that this award brings, giving credit to others and giving the attention to Saint Mary's University. "My No. 1 task as SMU's sports information director is to tell the Saint Mary's story — and with the dedicated student-athletes we have here, I am never at a loss for a story to tell."
On April 1, when Nadeau officially receives the Heffron award from Saint Mary's University, an entire community will celebrate the accomplishments, commitment, and Lasallian spirit of one of its own and celebrate the chance to tell his story.