College Sports Information Directors of America

Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to individuals who have served at least 25 years in the athletics communications profession (as of July 2026) who are retiring or leaving the profession. Years of service vetted by the Special Awards Committee. Members may self-nominate for this award.

Chuck Sullivan — Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumous honor)

The American Conference mourned the loss of Assistant Commissioner of Communications Chuck Sullivan in November, 2025. Sullivan, who was 54 years old, was one of the most well-respected communications professionals in collegiate athletics and is being honored by the College Sports Communicators posthumously with a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

He first joined the conference staff in August of 2007 as the Big East Conference’s director of communications. After the American’s reconstitution in 2013, he was promoted to assistant commissioner for communications in January of 2015 and had overseen the communications and external operations for the American and its 20 Division I sports. In addition to supporting the promotion of the American’s student-athletes and sports, Sullivan supervised and mentored dozens of communications and external relations professionals over his time with the conference office and previously at the institution level.

A native of Stoughton, Massachusetts, Sullivan served on the media coordination staff for a multitude of College Football Playoff National Championship games, the NCAA Final Four and the BCS National Championship.

Before coming to the American, Sullivan spent time at all levels of the NCAA, including spells at Harvard from 2003-07, Bryant from 1999-2003, UMass Boston from 1995-99 and Princeton from 1993-95.

Sullivan’s award-winning career included numerous honors, including a Best In The Nation Award, three Best Cover Awards, three Second In The Nation Awards and three Third In The Nation Awards. He was an ex-officio member of the board of directors of the Football Writers Association of America, had served on the Academic All-America Committee of the College Sports Communicators and had been a regular presenter and panelist at regional and national conventions.

Sullivan received a CSC 25-Year Award in 2020.
 

Tom Fenstermaker, American Conference Director of Communications: “Chuck was the quintessential communications pro. From the smallest of start-up outlets to the biggest names in sports journalism, he treated each member of the media the same - with selflessness, compassion and grace. Chuck mentored dozens of us in the communications field over the years, and it was truly a blessing to work for him the last six+ years of his extraordinary life.

Arthur Parks, Providence College Senior Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations: "Chuck was the best.  Our profession lost a truly great individual.  What I will remember most about Chuck was that he was always willing to help out any time another SID needed assistance. He loved the work he did and did it with a smile on his face. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family."

Bernie Cafarelli, American Conference Associate Commissioner (retired): “A quiet 'giant' among collegiate sports communicators, Chuck Sullivan was the consummate professional, mentor, and friend. He did his job with little fanfare and in such an unassuming manner. Chuck took great pride in his work and loved working in college athletics serving student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. He was as well-liked as anyone in our industry. On a personal note, I feel blessed to have worked with Chuck; our time together at the American created memories I will always cherish. Chuck simply was the best!”