College Sports Information Directors of America

Rising Star Award
Presented annually to College Sports Communicators members in the University Division (NCAA DI) and in the College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, Canadian institutions) – with 10 years of service or less whose work at their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics-affiliated association and service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession make that individual a "rising star" in athletics communications. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.

Courtney Day – DePaul University, Associate AD, Communications & Digital
 

“Receiving the Rising Star Award is truly humbling, and I am deeply honored and privileged to be recognized by an organization that has meant so much to me throughout my career. The CSC community is unlike any other — the mentors who guided me early on have become some of my closest friends, and that speaks to the incredible people this profession attracts. Thank you to everyone who ever gave me a chance and an opportunity, and to those who have continued to invest in me along the way. I am so grateful to work in this industry and look forward to continuing to give back to this organization for many years to come.” — Courtney Day, 2026 CSC Rising Star Award, University Division recipient

From the moment Courtney Day learned about athletics communications, she knew it was the career path for her. As a freshman at Drake University, Day participated in a journalism class project supporting the annual Drake Relays — and upon hearing the details of the role, she reached out directly to Ty Patton, who oversaw the department. From that moment, the rest became history.

Day quickly fell in love with everything the profession had to offer: the ability to make a difference and utilize her skills to tell the stories of student-athletes. After three years in Drake's athletics department, she graduated with dual degrees in Public Relations and Marketing before heading to central New York, where she served as an Athletics Communications Assistant at Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, Day had the privilege of learning alongside some of the industry's finest, including 2012 Hall of Famer Sue Edson, 2002 CoSIDA President Pete Moore, 2023 Rising Star Tyler Cady, and 2018 Rising Star Olivia Coiro.

Following her time at Syracuse, Day remained in the ACC and transitioned to North Carolina State, where she worked alongside 2016 Hall of Fame honoree Annabelle Myers. In 2021, the Kansas City native had the opportunity to return to her home state and fulfill a professional dream — serving as a basketball communications contact — when she joined the University of Missouri as Associate Director of Strategic Communications. At Mizzou, Day led all men's basketball communications efforts and helped lead the digital strategy for the basketball and main athletics accounts. 

Day joined DePaul University in October 2022 as Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Digital Strategy. In her current role, she oversees all departmental communications, serves as the primary men's basketball contact, and is a member of the Athletics Senior Leadership Team. Day works under the leadership of Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy, a longtime communications professional who was honored with the organization's 25-year award in 2025 — a shared background in communications that has informed and strengthened the department's strategic vision. Her own leadership of DePaul's social media platforms came into full view during the hiring of head coach Chris Holtmann in March 2023 — a campaign that generated more than 1.7 billion media impressions and 50,000 social media engagements in its first week alone.

An active member of College Sports Communicators since entering the profession, Day was honored as a member of the 30 Under 30 Class of 2025
 

DeWayne Peevy, DePaul University, Senior VP/ Director of Athletics: “It is an honor to support Courtney Day as a recipient of the 2026 College Sports Communicators Rising Star Award. Courtney represents the next generation of leadership in collegiate athletics communications through her innovation, professionalism, and relentless commitment to telling the stories of student-athletes and programs at the highest level. In a short period of time, she has established herself as a trusted leader within our department while elevating the visibility and brand of DePaul Athletics through strategic communications, digital storytelling, and creative vision.”

Jordyn Prok, Toledo, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications: “Courtney was one of my first bosses in the communications world, and I learned a lot from her. Her mentorship and friendship have made a lasting impression on my career.”