College Sports Information Directors of America

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• Past CoSIDA 25-Year Award Recipients

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Pete Lefresne – Earlham College, Director of Sports Marketing & Communications
2019 CoSIDA 25-Year Award recipient

by Scott McKenzie, Juniata College Associate Director of Athletics

Quite simply put, in 27 years of working in Division III athletics, I have never worked with anyone within the athletic communications side of our business that was as smart or as effective at his profession than Pete Lefresne. Pete will be receiving a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) 25-Year Award at the June CoSIDA convention in Florida.

I had the pleasure of working with Pete at Juniata College, a little gem tucked away in the beautiful Pennsylvania countryside between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Pete spent way too many hours at his craft and I spent too few hours learning from one of the finest. 

Whether in full command of the contemporary and ever-evolving technology, or using his knack for the nostalgic, Pete’s brain was always on and always tuned in to the pursuit of that perfect story.

By the time Pete and I worked at Juniata College together, he had already been battle-tested at the Division I level at the University of Maine. Pete also spent five years (1992-95, 1997-99) as an assistant sports information director at the Virginia Military Institute, and two years (1995-97) as director of athletic publications at Old Dominion University, his alma mater.
 

At Old Dominion, Pete helped the athletic public relations office earn seven awards for excellence in publications from CoSIDA and served as media relations contact for ODU's women's lacrosse program led by then-U.S. National team coach Sue Stahl.

Since our time at Juniata, Pete spent time in the Division II world in the state of Florida before moving onto his current posting at Earlham College in Indiana.

While at Juniata, Pete was honored as 2009-10 AVCA Grant Burger Award recipient for outstanding work in NCAA Division III women's volleyball's Mid-Atlantic Region. Pete was one of eight regional honorees in Division III women's volleyball. His work with women's volleyball over the course of the 2009 campaign helped bring media spotlight to the Eagles during a season in which they reached the national championship match and finished 36-4.

"This award is a testament to Pete's abilities as a sports information professional, and his grasp of volleyball in particular," said Larry Bock at the time, then Juniata's athletics director and head women's volleyball coach. "It is gratifying that the AVCA recognizes how talented, dedicated, and productive he has become in covering Juniata volleyball at the highest level."

Pete’s brilliance comes out of an absolute inability to remain stationary. He embraces the new in what we do and revels in putting new twists on long-held realities. He defines the “all hand on deck” work ethic that is in such demand in today’s collegiate environment.

I’ve seen Pete set up for a home basketball game, fix a scoreboard problem, stat the game and then write a “knockout story” all in the span of just a few hours. Now, that may be expected of a rookie in our business, but Pete is still doing this as a 25-year veteran. His sole goal is to serve our student-athletes and help coaches in any way he can. Learning to be a better administrator is easy when working with folks like Pete. 

What may be Pete’s best and most lasting professional legacy is his commitment to fostering the next generation of sports information professionals.

Pete’s ability to spot young talent and help that talent to fully develop their skills is a work of art to witness. His professional family tree is very impressive — and one that will continue to provide quality professionals for years to come. In this area, Pete excels in allowing the student-worker, intern, or young professional to expand their skill set by creating a supportive and challenging environment where these young people produce real product and react to real pressures. Most thrive in this arena and have gone onto wonderful positions within our business. I do my very best to follow those principles today with our young staff members and student-staff. 

Pete’s best work has been his family. His wife Sheila and children Fiona and Brandon are the twinkle in his eye. They are wonderful folks and together make a wonderful family. This is a tough business and having the support of your partner and family is so very important. Pete is a wealthy man when it comes to family, and they have a good mentor and partner in Pete. 

When challenges arise, there are those who jump in and figure it out and there are those who don’t. Pete Lefresne is a consummate professional who is always ready to jump in and create solutions and work the problem. 

I’m honored to have worked with him and it’s a privilege to call him a friend.

Congratulations, Pete on a well-deserved bit of recognition.