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Past 25-Year Award Recipients
Romanda Noble-Watson – Columbia College (SC), Sports Information Director
CoSIDA 25-Year Award
by Ed Hill – CoSIDA Hall of Fame Class of 2018 / Retired
After growing up in southeast Washington, DC,
Romanda Noble-Watson had plans of pursuing a career in mathematics. Little did she know that she would put that goal aside and instead pursue a career in sports information that has spanned 25 years in the industry. For that accomplishment, she will be honored with a CoSIDA 25-Year Award given annually to those who have worked a quarter of a century.
Her career started when she served as a work study student at the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC, assisting legendary Donald Huff, former award-winning
Washington Post sportswriter and the sports information director at UDC at the time.
It was there that Romanda honed her skills in statistics and the day-to-day operations of sports information as a student under his tutelage.
"Mr. Huff gave me my start," recalls Noble-Watson, who now resides in Columbia, SC. and is in her first year as NAIA Columbia College’s Sports Information Director. "He did not particularly care for the travel part, so he gave me the assignment and opportunity to cover sports. I never realized that this was what I wanted to do until I got into the job."
Upon graduation, Noble-Watson moved on to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD where she was hired as the sports information director. She took what skills she learned at UDC to UMES and expanded them as people began to take notice.
Her growth was enhanced under the tutelage of BJ Evans, who recommended her there as he was leaving. She also served under the late Dr. Hallie Gregory, who was the Director of Athletics at UMES. Evans is now the Director of Media Relations for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I got to know BJ and developed a working relationship with him," she says. "He recommended me for the position. Dr. Gregory showed confidence in me despite the fact that I was young and a woman in a field dominated by men. I am forever grateful to them both."
During this quarter of a century journey, mentors have played a great role in her becoming one of the tops in the profession, men or women.
Following her stint at UMES, Noble-Watson would later go on to work at Howard University as an assistant for me, and then to South Carolina State as an assistant under CoSIDA legend Bill Hamilton, another CoSIDA Hall of Famer and multi-award winner.
Personally, I had watched Romanda both at UMES and Howard, and I saw that she had two important qualities: she was very organized, and she had leadership skills. I was not adept at some of the women sports, and she came in and took everything to another level. What was really impressive was her ability to build relationships with coaches, student-athletes and staff.
It is no accident that Noble-Watson would soon become a mentor in her own rights as she took the skills she learned and imparted them to those new to the profession or who were lacking skills in some area,
One such SID is Lamar Carter, a former assistant at Howard and currently the Assistant Media Relations and Digital Strategy Officer at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
"When I first came to Howard (as an assistant), I had no experience at all in volleyball statistics. Ro literally helped me survive,” noted Carter. “She trained me and made it simple by breaking it all down for me. In my opinion, volleyball is one of the most difficult sports to stat, but by the season end, I was able to score and stat a game.
It is a testament to her and her professionalism. Ro took great pride and put in the time that I needed to learn the skill and for that I am indebted."
Sahar Abdur-Rashid served both as an assistant director of media relations and later at as assistant director of championships and external operations with the NCAA. She shared her experiences regarding Noble-Watson.
"Ro and I first met in 2005 when I was with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). That is one of the great things about this profession – how people connect and can lean on each other,” said Abdur-Rashid, now an account supervisor for sports & consumer brand marketing at FleishmanHillard in Philadelphia.
“When I transitioned to the NCAA, I brought on Ro after my first year to help with the Division I softball championships and College World Series. She did such an amazing job that it allowed me to take care of all the other things that needed to be done effectively. She has that persona that everyone loves--coaches, athletes, media and staff. Ro is so engaging and so confident in what she does.”
"Romanda not only excelled in her role covering the many sports at Columbia College (where she is now) but has taken athletic communications and sports information to another level by introducing women and ethnic minorities to the field," said Chevonne Mansfield, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Howard University. "She is a great teacher, mentor, and friend to many."
Abdur-Rashid concluded that the value of Noble-Watson lasting 25 years in athletic communications has significant value.
"The things that Ro is doing is very important for women, especially women of color. Many have come into the profession but later left for other careers. What she has done is lower the ladder so that others can get on and she then pulls them up so that they can get an opportunity."
Noble-Watson has done more than covered different sporting events and numerous NCAA, CIAA and MEAC championships. Whenever here schedule allows, she is highly sought out to stat not just college events but high school championships as well.
The upcoming presentation of her 25-Year Award will have special meaning for her.
“I remember when I attended my first CoSIDA Convention and people were receiving the 25-Year Award, and I was in awe that someone lasted in this career for so long,” said Noble-Watson. “Receiving this award is definitely an honor and I’m grateful for a career that has allowed me to travel to so many places and meet so many people. Wow!! Has it really been 25 years?”
Gallery: (5-9-2022) Romanda Noble-Watson – 25 Year Award