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CSC finalized its Executive Board of Directors for 2024-25 by filling one open position during a special meeting of the Executive Board July 25.
Katie Gonzales, assistant AD - athletic communications at Division III Illinois Wesleyan University who also serves as the second vice president of the CSC Division III Cabinet, was selected by the executive board vote to fill a one-year vacancy.
The opening was created when Donnie Smith stepped down from the executive board following a job change. After leaving the NAIA’s Southeastern University earlier this month to go to Division I Jacksonville State University as assistant AD for media relations, he was no longer eligible to serve in the College Division Representative role.
“I want to thank President Kevin Trainor for the opportunity to serve on the Executive Board for the upcoming year,” said Gonzales. “I look forward to bringing an NCAA Division III perspective to the table. Having had the chance to work alongside Kevin through the Academic All-America committee for the past year, I am excited to serve the CSC membership under his leadership.”
According to the CSC constitution, if an Executive Board vacancy occurs after the annual general nominations and selection period, the new member is appointed by the existing Executive Board to fulfill the departing member’s term. The 2024-25 slate of CSC’s Executive Board of Directors was approved by membership vote during the virtual annual business meeting on May 29. Smith accepted his new role at Jacksonville State July 11.
Gonzales will be able to run for a full Executive Board term in the future.
“Katie Gonzales is a rising leader in our profession and we are excited to welcome her to the CSC Executive Board of Directors,” said 2024-25 CSC Board President Kevin Trainor of Arkansas. “Katie has been active in our organization, including most notably stepping forward to chair our Academic All-America Core Committee at a critical moment in the history of our signature program. Her passion for CSC is evident and her addition to the Board supports our continued efforts to build leadership teams that are reflective of the diversity of our membership.”
“We are grateful to Donnie for his service as a member of the CSC Board of Directors,” added Trainor. “His perspective and insight were valuable to the many important discussions and decisions CSC has made in the past few years. We wish him the best in his new role at Jacksonville State and look forward to his continued leadership in our organization.”
For 2024-25, the slate of Executive Board of Directors is:
- President: Kevin Trainor – University of Arkansas, Senior Associate Athletic Director/Public Relations & Former Student-Athlete Engagement
- First Vice President: Mary Beth Challoner – University of Toronto, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics & High Performance Sport
- Second Vice President: Patrick Crawford – Purdue University, Associate Athletics Director - Strategic Communications
- Third Vice President: Matt Panto – Ivy League, Associate Executive Director for Strategic Communications and External Relations
- Past President: John Paquette – Big East Conference Senior Associate Commissioner, Sports Media Relations
- Secretary: Jeff Hodges – University of North Alabama, Athletics Historian
- College Division Representative: Katie Gonzales – Illinois Wesleyan University, Assistant AD - Athletic Communications
- At-Large Representative: Travis Jarome – Jackson State University, Associate Athletic Director for Public Relations & Sports Media
The Executive Board of Directors is supported by the CSC Advisory Council, composed of leaders from each of the six divisions and the Past Presidents. Those leaders for 2024-25 are:
- Division I: Mike Mahoney – University of Pennsylvania, Director of Athletic Communications
- Division II: Brian Henry – University of West Florida, Sports Information Director
- Division II: Ali Paquette – Middlebury College, Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Communications
- NAIA: Tommy Chasanoff – University of the Cumberlands, Assistant Athletic Director - Sports Information
- Canadian Institutions: Chris Cameron – Acadia University, Sports Information and Communications Coordinator
- Two-Year Colleges: Candice Kelm – McLennan Community College, Sports Information Specialist
- Past Presidents: Nick Joos – Iowa State University, Senior Associate AD/Communications
Ex-Officio members are CSC Executive Director Erik Christianson, Associate Executive Director Will Roleson, Director of Operations and Professional Development Barb Kowal, Director of Communications and Brand Strategy Beau White, and Assistant Director of Communications and Creative Content Alivia Dieterlen. CSC bios are found here.