• 2015 CoSIDA Special Awards general announcement/release
• Special Awards feature story schedule
by David Sherwood, Wingate University Assistant AD for Sports Information and Game Operations
The Lester Jordan Award is presented to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America® award program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete. Encouragement from his boss helped start Young Harris College’s Michael MacEachern on a 28-year journey honoring the brightest and the best.
MacEachern got involved on the committee his first year in CoSIDA (1987-88). “My boss at The Citadel (Josh Baker) was a member of the Committee on Committees,” MacEachern says. “He asked me what committee I wanted to join. I thought the Academic All-America® committee had a big impact on student-athletes.”
MacEachern paid his dues, as he started as a district coordinator, moved up to a national coordinator and now to his current role on the publicity sub-committee. MacEachern has a unique perspective, as he has worked at each of the three NCAA divisions. In addition, he spent time in the NAIA during his tenure at SCAD Savannah.
“The Academic All-America® program holds a special place in Michael’s heart,” Tusculum Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Dom Donnelly says. “He has shared his enthusiasm about the program with his student-athletes as well as his fellow sports information directors.”
“In all my years as an SID, I never met anyone as professional in his craft or as dedicated to the welfare of the student-athlete as Michael MacEachern,” Torye
Hurst says. Hurst worked closely with MacEachern during his days as the Peach Belt Conference SID. “Michael was a tremendous help in getting me up to speed with CoSIDA and the inner workings of the Academic All-America® program.”
“Michael MacEachern is the perfect choice as this year’s recipient of the Lester Jordan Award,” Notre Dame assistant athletic director Bernie Cafarelli says. “As a long-time member of the Academic All-America® committee, he has been a trusted and loyal friend to the program and to all the members of our committee. Michael is an individual who has deeply cared about the student-athletes we honor each year.”
“Michael is a most deserving recipient of the Lester Jordan Award,” Ohio Wesleyan University sports information director Mark Beckenbach says. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with him on the Academic All-America® committee for more than 20 years, most recently in his current position as co-vice chair for publicity. Michael has always been willing to help wherever he was needed. His passion for the Academic All-America® program is evident in his commitment and dedication. We are fortunate to have him on the committee.”
MacEachern has managed to stay connected to the Academic All-America® committee during his sports information travels to five different institutions. After a year at The Citadel, he spent nine seasons at USC Spartanburg (now USC Upstate). After his time with the USCS Rifles, MacEachern joined the South Atlantic Conference as Lenoir-Rhyne’s SID.
A decade with SCAD Savannah followed his four-year stint at L-R. MacEachern is enjoying his fourth year at Young Harris, his second stop in the Peach Belt Conference. At each destination, MacEachern never missed an opportunity to promote the Academic All-America® program. His love for the AAA program is well known among his peers.
He remembers fondly his attendance at Academic All-America® Hall of Fame events. MacEachern flew standby with a fellow committee member (catching the last flight out of town the night before the ceremony) to catch the gala AAA HOF inductions in Boston many years ago.
CoSIDA 2015 convention attendees will honor MacEachern with the prestigious Jordan Award at this summer’s Orlando get-together, with MacEachern honored during the June 15th Capital One Academic All-America® Hall of Fame induction ceremony, but the veteran SID is thankful for the opportunity to serve…and he looks forward to many more years on the committee.
“It’s been a great honor to serve on the Academic All-America® committee,” MacEachern says. “It’s a lot of work, but I wouldn’t still be doing it if I didn’t enjoy it. The Academic All-America® committee is a great way for CoSIDA members to honor our student-athletes. It’s always great to read stories about the 800-plus student-athletes we recognize as Academic All-America® each year…and the alumni student-athletes we honor in the Hall of Fame.”
“Mark Beckenbach and I are grateful for Michael’s hard work,” Cafarelli says. “His expertise has not only benefitted the student-athletes, but also the colleagues in our profession. Michael continually looks for ways to more effectively promote the program across all platforms. We feel fortunate he agreed to become co-vice chair of our publicity committee a couple of years ago. We are thankful for the passion he shows for those student-athletes who are honored each year.”