College Sports Information Directors of America

Warren Berg Award
Presented annually to a current College Sports Communicators member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college athletics communications, and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.

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.

Bill Wagner – DePauw University, Assistant Athletics Director for Athletics Communications

"This is such an incredible honor to be recognized as the Warren Berg Award recipient. The list of past honorees is filled with legends in our industry, many of whose work and dedication I’ve admired and attempted to emulate for years. As someone who did undergraduate and graduate work at the Division I level, that’s where I thought I wanted to start my career, but DePauw and Division III have been home for 40 years. I’ve been blessed to have relationships with wonderful colleagues at DePauw and throughout the field who’ve helped me grow as an individual and professionally.” — Bill Wagner, on winning the 2026 CSC Warren Berg Award 

“I am honored to be chosen as the Lester Jordan Award recipient. The Academic All-America ® program is a hallmark of our organization and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to contribute to it with my committee work and in my role as D3SIDA president. Some of the best moments I’ve experienced in my career have come when learning that one of our student athletes has been chosen Academic All-America®. To be able to play a small role in the continued success of the program brings me great satisfaction.” — Bill Wagner, on winning the 2026 CSC Lester Jordan Award

Bill Wagner joined the DePauw University staff as sports information director in December 1986 and, in the fall of 1987, became the first person to serve the position in a full-time capacity. He was named assistant athletics director for athletics communications in 2019 and oversees external communications and publicity for all 23 of DePauw’s intercollegiate athletic programs. 

In a career that has spanned five decades, Wagner has covered thousands of DePauw student-athletes and staffed thousands of events. He has been the media host for over 100 NCAA Division III Championship competitions, including three national championships. Wagner also served on the College Sports Communicators (CSC), formerly known as CoSIDA, board of directors from 2005-08 and became the first president of DIII-SIDA from 2008 through 2011. A 2014 CSC Hall of Fame inductee, Wagner has worked as a district coordinator for the Academic All-America® program since 2002. Wagner has received numerous publications awards through CSC, including a “Best in the Nation” award for the 1996 and 1997 football media guides and for the cover of the 1988 football media guide. In all, eight of the DePauw football guides were ranked among the top five in the nation, as well as three men’s basketball guides. 

The 2024 DePauw University Outstanding Gold Spirit Award recipient was presented the Bob Williams Helping Hand Award by the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association in 2025. In November of 2025, Wagner was inducted into the DePauw Athletics Hall of Fame. Wagner majored in marketing at Miami University and earned a master’s degree in sport management from The Ohio State University. While at Miami, he was a student assistant for CSC Hall of Famers Dave Young and Kent Cherrington. 

He and his wife, Shelly, live in Greencastle and are parents to John and Nadia.
 

Greg Rakestraw, ISC Sports Network Vice President: “I have the pleasure of working with Bill at one of the biggest events on the Division III calendar, the annual Monon Bell Classic. It's one of the highlights of my year, and I broadcast well over 200 events annually. Bill produces notes that are of a Division I quality, but does so with the personal touch that those of us who cover small college athletics appreciate. In other words, it's the best of both worlds, and Bill's nearly four-decade tenure in Greencastle is certainly award-worthy. Congrats!”

Keri Alexander Luchowski, North Coast Athletic Conference Executive Director: “Few people have shaped Division III athletics communications the way that Bill Wagner has. Over four decades, and most especially through his remarkable tenure at DePauw, Bill has elevated not only the quality of our work, but the culture of our profession. The Warren Berg Award and the Lester Jordan Award together reflect what those of us lucky enough to count him as a colleague and friend know to be true: Bill’s excellence, integrity, and generosity have brought dignity and prestige to college athletics communications, while his mentorship has strengthened Division III immeasurably. These honors are richly deserved.”

Stevie Baker-Watson, DePauw University, AVP Student Wellness, Theodore Katula Director of Athletics and Recreational Sports: “On behalf of everyone at DePauw Athletics, we are thrilled to celebrate Bill Wagner’s receipt of both the Warren Berg Award and the Lester Jordan Award. For more than four decades, Bill’s passion for athletic communications, unwavering commitment to excellence and steadfast support of student-athletes have defined a remarkable career. Whether mentoring colleagues, championing our Tigers, or serving the CSC membership, Bill brings excellence to everything he does, and it is an honor to have him tell the stories of our student-athletes and athletics teams. The Berg and Jordan awards reflect not just his professional accomplishments, but the profound impact he has had on countless students and peers throughout his longstanding service.”

Melynda Link, DePauw University Assistant Athletics Director for Athletics Facilities and Events: “I consider it a highlight of my career to get to work with Bill Wagner every day. His technical skill and institutional knowledge is unmatched, but his work ethic and ability to juggle the innumerable tasks he is responsible for is the most admirable. I'm lucky to call him a friend and colleague and couldn't be happier to see him receive recognition that he so often bestows on others.”

Larry Happel, Central College Athletics Communications Director (retired), 2010 CSC Hall of Fame Inductee: "Bill Wagner is rock solid. Even though our schools only occasionally crossed paths, I've known Bill for years and always admired the way he does his job--quietly, efficiently and effectively. He's a great servant for CSC, and for Division III as well. He's provided DePauw with such a calm, steady presence. I know he's highly respected on that campus but he's also enormously popular with his colleagues in the profession and is one I always knew I could call on for advice. He's uncomfortable in the spotlight but I'm thrilled that it's shining on him now."  

Dwayne Hanberry, Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Commissioner: “When DePauw University joined the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1998, the timing could not have been better. The conference not only welcomed one of the premier academic and athletic programs in Division III, but we also gained one of the nation’s finest sports information directors in Bill Wagner. At a pivotal moment – as the rapid growth of the internet and emerging statistical software were transforming the way we operated at the conference level – Bill’s leadership proved invaluable. As the SCAC’s assistant commissioner at the time, I quickly learned I could rely on him to help shape our conversations around conference standards, best practices, and the most efficient ways to manage the increasing demands of weekly and seasonal reporting. There is no question that without Bill’s insight, innovation, and unwavering willingness to help others elevate their work, the SCAC would not have enjoyed the level of success it achieved in those formative years. Through his leadership at DePauw and his impactful work within the SCAC, Bill has elevated the profession of sports information and strengthened the visibility of countless student-athletes. He embodies the very spirit of the Warren Berg Award – professionalism, dedication, and a deep commitment to collegiate athletics. This honor reflects not only his remarkable body of work, but the lasting influence he has had on our conference and the broader Division III community.”

Brent Harris, Wabash College Athletics Communications Director: “Bill Wagner has been a staple of professionalism not only during my time as his counterpart at DePauw's rival, but also in my time as a professional media member covering both Wabash and DePauw in the Monon Bell Classic. His coverage of the success and hard work of his student-athletes is only equaled by his love of his family. While our schools are rivals, I have always considered Bill a good friend and a great resource in my daily work.”