• 2016 CoSIDA Special Awards general announcement/release
• Special Awards feature story schedule
by Michael MacEachern, Young Harris College Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communications
Wingate University’s Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Game Operations David Sherwood will be aptly honored as the 2016 Lester Jordan Award recipient this June.
The Lester Jordan Award is presented to an individual for exemplary series to the Academic All-America® award program and for the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete.
"I am incredibly humbled to receive the Lester Jordan Award,” said Sherwood. “When I look at the names of the previous winners, I wonder 'does my name belong on this list?' For my peers to affirm my work with the Academic All-America® committee is a feeling I will not soon forget.”
Sherwood, who has been at Wingate for the past 31 years, has served on the Academic
Sherwood, pictured with then-CoSIDA president Justin
Doherty, received his CoSIDA 25-Year Award in 2010.
All-America® committee for over 20 year. He’s served as a district coordinator for many years until recently serving on the publicity subcommittee, writing the press releases for the national Academic All-America® teams.
“David Sherwood is such a deserving recipient of this year’s Lester Jordan Award,” said Academic All-America co-Chair Bernie Cafarelli of the American Athletic Conference. “The Academic All-America® committee is thrilled that we could honor him in this way after his many years of service to our program and to the entire CoSIDA membership. David has served in a couple of different roles during his more than 20 years on the Committee and has been one of our most valued members.
“He has a passion and commitment to student-athletes and to helping ensure their success both in the classroom and on the playing field,” added Cafarelli. “Honoring David as this year’s Lester Jordan Award recipient is just a small way to thank him for all that he has done for the program.”
Sherwood, who received the Bob Kenworthy Award from CoSIDA in 2003 and the Wingate University Faith Award and the Wingate University Service Award in 2007, is a big believer in the student-athlete and that has shown during his time at Wingate.
“David Sherwood has dedicated his life to Wingate University and its student-athletes,” Wingate women’s basketball coach Ann Hancock, who should know the work Sherwood does best as she was Wingate’s first-ever Academic All-America® selection back in 1990.
“He works non-stop behind the scenes so others may receive recognition,” said Hancock. “Often
times, no one even knows all the things David does for the coaches and students at Wingate. As someone who has directly benefited from his tireless effortless, first as a student and later as a coach, I know of no one more deserving of this recognition."
He has helped the Bulldogs pile up Academic All-America® honorees at an unparalleled rate. Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000s with 82 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 82 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium (Duke University is second).
Wingate's 91 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all South Atlantic Conference schools. In addition, the Bulldogs have had a conference-best 65 SAC Scholar-Athlete winners.
“The most amazing thing about David is not just knowing the stats, but how effortless the bonds he creates with the student-athlete,” said Wingate men’s and women’s swimming coach Kirk Sanocki.
“It's as if they are all his children, and how easy it becomes to nominate someone for an award when you are speaking about someone you know on a higher level. You can see it with the care in preparing a nomination.”
“All of us at Wingate University are extremely pleased that David Sherwood has been recognized for his exemplary work with CoSIDA and the Academic All-America® program,” said Wingate Vice President and Director of Athletics Steve Poston. “In my view, being named to an Academic All-America® team is the highest honor that a student-athlete can receive. We have been fortunate to have many Bulldogs honored in this noteworthy way. That, of course, could not have happened without David's tireless efforts on their behalf.
“The Lester Jordan Award is evidence that David is not only respected and admired on the Wingate campus but he is also held in high regards by his friends and colleagues in CoSIDA.”