Release and information courtesy of the AVCA
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Friday announced it's national and regional finalists for the AVCA Grant Burger Media Award, and numerous CoSIDA members captured honors.
Two active members in CoSIDA's leadership ranks were among the five finalists for the Burger Award, named in honor of Grant Burger, former Director of Sports Information and Associate Director of the AVCA. It recognizes members of the media or college professionals who have been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball across all mediums: Aaron Sagraves, Cornerstone University Assistant Director of Athletics, and Gallaudet University Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Sam Atkinson.
There are five different categories considered for the Grant Burger Media Award: sports information directors (SID), social media, broadcast, web and college student reporter.
Sagraves earned top AVCA honors in the SID category while Atkinson earned top social media honors.
Sagraves is serving a three-year term on the CoSIDA Board of Directors and also is in the midst of a three-year term as NAIA-SIDA vice president. Atkinson serves as chair of CoSIDA's Goodwill and Wellness Committee and was recipient of CoSIDA's Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award in 2014.
University of San Francisco Director of Creative Video Katie Morgan was selected as 2014-15 Grant Burger Media Award recipient. Morgan promoted both indoor and sand volleyball teams through compelling video coverage.
See the full AVCA Grant Burger Media Award release; the release also lists the top regional athletic media relations/sports information staffs for 2014-15 who are recognized for outstanding volleyball promotion.
Here is a look at the work of Sagraves and Atkinson, as presented by the AVCA:
Category: Sports Information
Aaron Sagraves, Cornerstone University
Fast Facts 
• First year at Cornerstone as the Assistant Director of Athletics after spending the last seven years at Davenport University.
• Helped raise awareness of volleyball program through multiple mediums.
• His websites and publications have ranked among the best by the NAIA, including a top rank in 2012-2013.
• Serving a three-year term on CoSIDA Board of Directors as an At-Large Representative in the college division.
Examples of Work
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Quote: "He is the best SID in the NAIA without doubt. His social media presence, website management, video presentation, and national exposure are outstanding. I am glad he came to Cornerstone!"
- Cornerstone Head Coach Ryan Campbell
Category: Social Media
Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet University
Fast Facts
• Completed his sixth year at Gallaudet, which is a school for the deaf and hard of hearing.
• Atkinson is hearing, and must additionally use his hands and American Sign Language to communicate and perform the typical tasks of sports information directors.
• Ranked No. 1 out of 450 NCAA Division III schools for the top social media index number according to d3socialmedia.com.
• Traveled with the team during the NCAA Tournament and provided wall-to-wall coverage.
• Pushes the envelope to include the latest technologies such as UStream and Periscope.
• The only full-time employee in the sports information office.
Examples of Work
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
Ustream
Quote
"Sam is the constant professional and always represents our university in a first-class way...I wish we could have Sam on every road trip to promote our team on all of these social media platforms."
- Gallaudet Head Coach Lynn Ray Boren..
About AVCA Grant Burger Media Award
The AVCA Grant Burger Media Award is an honor intended to recognize members of the media who have been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball, whether it be through consistent coverage in all mediums (sports information, print, broadcasting, web content, college student reporter and social media), production of volleyball-specific publications or extensive radio and/or television exposure. It is named in honor of Grant Burger, former Director of Sports Information and Associate Director of the AVCA (1988-92), whose hard work, innovative mind, knowledge and enthusiasm took the areas of media relations and publications at the AVCA to a higher level and increased awareness of the sport of volleyball nationwide.
About AVCA
The AVCA, with its headquarters in Lexington, Ky., is managed by Associations International. The mission of the AVCA is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development. With a membership of over 6,400 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and promoting the sport. Members include collegiate, high school, club, youth and Olympic coaches, as well as volleyball club directors. The AVCA provides education to volleyball coaches, recognition of elite players and coaches, promotion of volleyball competitions throughout the world, and networking opportunities for volleyball products and services providers. Further information is available at http://www.avca.org/.
For more information:
David Portney, AVCA Director of Marketing & Communications
David.Portney@avca.org