College Sports Information Directors of America

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Doug Tammaro – Arizona State, Assistant AD/Media Relations

Achievement Award - University Division
Presented annually to two CoSIDA members – one in the University Division (NCAA DI) and one in the College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, Canadian/U Sports) – currently serving in the role of an associate or assistant director in the sports information field who have made outstanding contributions to the field of sports information and provided exceptional service to their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics affiliated association. A nominee must have 10-or-more years of experience in the sports information profession and must have not served in the lead role overseeing a sports information office. This award, introduced in 2014-15, is designed for an individual who has not been a recipient of any prestigious CoSIDA major award (Arch Ward, Warren Berg, CoSIDA Hall of Fame) in their careers. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.

by Mark Brand – Arizona State University, Senior Associate AD, Media Relations

“You have to care.”
 
If you work in the Sun Devil Athletic Media Relations Office, you’ve heard those words spoken many times by Doug Tammaro. This is advice that he has imparted not only to his peers but to the hundreds of student interns that have crossed his path. Living life by his own words, no one cares more than Doug.
 
What does this advice really mean? I think it can be best described by some of the ‘going above and beyond’ examples that set him apart as recipient of the 2022 CoSIDA Achievement Award (University Division). The award is given annually to an athletic communications professional, who is not a director of their office or department, who have made outstanding contributions to the field of sports information. Tammaro also will receive a CoSIDA 25-Year Award at the Las Vegas convention, marking his 25-plus years in the athletic communications profession.

Some of the biggest names in the business have earned this outstanding achievement since its inception in 2014-15, with Tammaro's name rightfully added to the list.

• He keeps a box of note cards in his office on which he writes people old-school hand-written messages — a lost art these days.
• He makes it a point each game week to call the television talent first before they have an opportunity to call him.
• He maintains a page on the Sun Devil Athletics website that lists the former Media Relations Office student and graduate interns that have migrated through ASU and where they are now. That list creates a sense of pride and ownership for the former interns and a high bar for current interns to strive for.
• He consistently goes out of his way to congratulate friends, acquaintances and fellow professionals on their own accomplishments and achievements, both professionally and personally.
• He has an ability to explain to a journalist or colleague that they are wrong about something and still they go on feeling good about it. 
• He helped former Sun Devil football Head Athletic Trainer Perry Edinger transform Perry’s vision of a run named in honor of the late American hero Pat Tillman into one of the largest and most-popular races in the nation, attracting 30,000-plus participants annually on ASU’s campus.

There are thousands of individuals across the country who have assisted Marie Tillman with her life’s work to advance the mission of The Pat Tillman Foundation – of which Doug Tammaro is one. The Foundation’s work identifies and empowers the next generation of leaders who are dedicated to service beyond self. 
 
A close personal friend of the late Sun Devil star, Doug has immersed himself in the Foundation’s effort from day one, which helps to define whom he is.
 
“Doug has such a special way of connecting with people. He was such a great friend and supporter of Pat and I will never forget seeing him in Seattle after Pat joined the army,” Marie Tillman recalled. “Doug was in town for a game, it was a short trip and he had a busy schedule, but he took time away to meet up with us. Feeling very far away from his former life, Pat loved seeing a friendly face and was so touched that Doug made the time to connect. But that’s Doug; he always makes time to connect.”
 
Tammaro currently handles all duties as the media relations contact for men's basketball and men's golf, while also in charge of our extremely successful student internship program.
 
With over 30 years of service in the college athletics realm, mostly at Arizona State, Doug’s passion for the job and care for others have made indelible impressions on everyone - including his supervisors. 
 
“Whenever a highly respected and admired colleague is inordinately saluted via his/her peer group, it immediately garners one’s attention, if not, congratulatory sentiments,” says said former ASU and Duke Athletics Director Kevin White, effusive in his praise of Tammaro. “However, when I learned that Doug had earned the CoSIDA Achievement Award, I was absolutely euphoric! Rarely does an outstanding colleague’s image, reputation and general persona be clearly overshadowed by their integrity and human being status. That said, just a brilliant honor! Doug has long been like a “17” on a ten-point scale!”
 
Not only has Tammaro earned the respect of his supervisors and peers, but he has been able to establish long-lasting relationships with the student-athletes that he mentors. One of Doug’s greatest strengths is his ability to communicate with the athletes. 
 
“Doug Tammaro epitomizes the Sun Devil spirit,” said former Sun Devil Heisman Trophy candidate and NFL quarterback Jake “The Snake” Plummer. “We both began our journey the same time in Tempe and have since became close friends! From interviews in 1993 to the Heisman in 1996 to eating tacos together now, I cherish his loyalty and friendship. One of the first places I stop when I’m back on campus is his office to check in and connect! Dougie Fresh is the best!”
 
Dougie Fresh?
 
Yes, Plummer actually refers to Doug as such, and that’s the point. That’s how Plummer perceives Doug, as a buddy who is willing to do anything for him. Doug is the kind of person that cultivates life-long friendships while at on the job at work, which is rare in today’s world. And his work with the media is no different. 
 
Don’t take my word for it. Simply ask UCLA and NBA legend and broadcast analyst Bill Walton, who will summarize Doug Tammaro and his life and career in only the way Bill Walton can.
 
“The magical mystery tour of Doug Tammaro’s life continues with this well-deserved and designated honor. Doug epitomizes the holistic values that are brought together across the entire spectrum of the light that is our world of athletics—every day, in every way, including societally and culturally,” Walton commented. 
 
Walton continued with more high praise for Tammaro.
 
“From a young dreamer growing up in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, to his first stop at Baldwin-Wallace (Class of 1991) and then to find the love of his life in Stephanie, to have their two daughters, Arianna and Miquela, and then culminating with the most important job of being the Sports Information Director at The New American University, Doug Tammaro has created the dream that has brought him to the top of the mountain,” Walton continued. “As the SID at ASU, Doug is tasked with delivering the critical messages of hope, optimism, and purpose. He seamlessly makes all of us believe that the effort to get to tomorrow is worth it. Doug is as fine a human being as I know.”
 
When asked to describe Tammaro, these are some of the adjectives and skills Walton noted.
 
“Always prepared, diligent, kind, gentle, warm-hearted, tenacious, fierce, spiritual and pragmatic. And that’s just for starters. Working alongside, and describing Doug Tammaro requires us to empty the thesaurus. Doug is not about honors, credit, or recognition. He is a man of action who shines the eternal light of, and on, everything good.”