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2021 Special Awards Announcements and Features
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Past Lester Jordan Award Recipients
Special note: Due to the cancelation of the in-person 2020 and 2021 conventions, our CoSIDA Special Awards winners from those two years are being honored online this year. Leading up to our 2021 June Convention, we will honor many of them via video tributes and interviews. Along with video interviews, you also will find links to the recipients' feature stories and photo galleries.
An interview with the 2021 and 2020 Lester Jordan Award Recipients
Inteview with Chas Dorman – Princeton University, Assistant Director of Athletics/Communications
- See below to read more about 2021 winner Doug Hauschild of Dayton
- Click here for the feature on 2020 winner Bill Jones of Skidmore
Lester Jordan Award
Presented to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America® Program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete. Nominations solicited by, and voted on, by the Academic All-America® Core Committee.
Doug Hauschild – University of Dayton, Director of Athletics Communication
2021 Lester Jordan Award
by Jim Seavey – former UMass Dartmouth Director of Athletic Communications/CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame Committee
“It’s one of the most important things we do in this profession.”
Those words about CoSIDA’s Academic All-America® program from longtime University of Dayton Director of Athletics Communication
Doug Hauschild ring as true today as they did when he first joined the committee nearly 30 years ago. While the times and technology have changed, Hauschild’s passion to serve others hasn’t wavered one bit, and it is fitting that a man who has built a reputation of excellence by recognizing others receives his own richly deserved spotlight as recipient of the 2021 Lester Jordan Award.
The Jordan Award is presented annually to an individual for exemplary service to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® program and to the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete. Named for the program’s founder, Lester Jordan served as the longtime sports information director at SMU for 27 years and created the first Academic All-America® team in 1952.
To say that Hauschild has been a fixture at UD would be an understatement.
Photo of the Hauschild family taken during Michael Hauschild, son of Doug and Patty, during his Dayton baseball Senior Day activities. Michael was a standout pitcher for the Atlantic 10 Conference champion Flyers and has pitched in the majors for the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.
His 44-year relationship with the University began in 1978 as an undergrad when he worked in the Flyers’ sports information office and began another important relationship when he met his future wife, Patty. After graduating in 1981, Doug remained at Dayton and became the school’s head softball coach for three seasons (he still holds the program’s highest career winning percentage). Two years later he became his alma mater’s SID, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Hauschild joined the CoSIDA Academic All-America® committee in 1993 and has served in the role as a district coordinator for the past 28 years. He says while the program may have undergone changes in some areas, its core mission remains in the same—recognizing student-athlete excellence.
“It is so important that the work gets done behind the scenes to recognize student-athletes for their hard work and commitment,” Hauschild said of his committee role. “What they do is so inspiring—that’s the reason I’m still doing what I love all these years later. Being part of this committee and program doesn’t feel like work—it’s a privilege to be part of it.”
In addition to providing valuable leadership to the program, Hauschild’s behind-the-scenes efforts on behalf of others has been rewarded over the years when he is able to tell a Dayton student-athlete about receiving the honor, a feeling he describes as “incredibly special.”
“No one imagines being named as an Academic All-American, and when told, they are surprised, humbled and very grateful,” Hauschild noted. “Eventually when looking back at what they’ve achieved during their careers, the accomplishment is magnified even further. The impact is lasting, and it’s a special feeling to be a part of.”
Times and technology may have changed the business, but Hauschild says when you do something you love, it’s easy to put the hours in. That includes devoting time to his responsibilities as a district coordinator on top of his duties at Dayton.
“The people I deal with on a daily basis keep me passionate about everything in this profession,” Doug said. “Being a student-athlete isn’t just about playing a sport—it’s a part of the entire education process. I’m excited about my work and the people I work with every day.”
Hauschild’s family ties are ones that bind both at home and in the office. Doug and Patty’s three children also matriculated at UD, and their son Michael played baseball for the Flyers before embarking on a major league career.
Hauschild has had the opportunity to work with Hall of Fame coaches and student-athletes who, like himself, have made a mark of excellence at the University. He also is a familiar face in March to NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams from across the country when welcoming squads to UD Arena for the “First Four.”
Hauschild’s longstanding contributions to the sports information profession haven’t gone unnoticed by his peers. Last year, he received the ultimate tribute with induction into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame. Doug was also the recipient of the organization’s Bob Kenworthy Award in 2009 for his service to the Dayton community as a youth coach, blood donor and volunteer. Nine years ago he was honored by the Atlantic-10 Conference with the Bob Vetrone Award for outstanding media service.
Doug Hauschild is a man who has impacted the lives of so many over the years. What impact has the Academic All-America® program made on him?
“It truly is the gold standard symbolizing student-athlete achievement,” the affable Flyer said. “No matter the level you compete at, the bar is set high to be rewarded for sacrifice and results. It’s an honor to be a part of it.”
No doubt the University of Dayton feels that same honor about one of its most distinguished graduates.
Gallery: (5-12-2021) Doug Hauschild, 2021 Lester Jordan Award