College Sports Information Directors of America

25-Year Award
Presented to College Sports Communicators members who have completed 25 years in the athletics communications profession. Vetted and voted on by the Special Awards Committee. 

Francis Tommasino – Christopher Newport University, Senior Director/Athletic Communications
 

“I'm honored to be recognized as a 25-year award member by the College Sports Communicators. It's been a great pleasure for me to work in the field of athletics my entire life, and my career has provided so many wonderful memories. My time at Christopher Newport has coincided with an incredible era in the school's history, and the remarkable success of our programs has made the time fly by. Thank you to the CSC for this recognition!” Francis Tommasino, 2026 CSC 25-Year Award recipient 

Tommasino, who started his tenure at Christopher Newport in 1996, completed his 25th year as a full-time employee of the University last summer. In total, he has been a Captain for nearly 30 years serving as the "Voice of the Captains" as the play-by-play broadcaster for CNU Men's Basketball on Xtra 99.1 FM since 1996. He has also been on the call for every fall football game played in CNU program history and has been heard on well over 1,000 career radio broadcasts at Christopher Newport.

Over the course of his career, Tommasino has brought CNU fans the action for 49 NCAA Tournament Men's Basketball games, including the crowning achievement in 2023 when the Captains captured the first men's basketball national championship in CNU history. Additionally, Tommasino has brought play-by-play action for each of the Captains' 15 NCAA Tournament football games and countless postseason baseball and softball games. 

Though he is best known as the Voice of the Captains, Tommasino was originally hired as Christopher Newport's Assistant Sports Information Director in 1996 and has helped lead the publicity efforts for the nationally relevant Division III program for nearly three decades. He serves as the chair of the Carl & Denise Farris Hall of Fame at Christopher Newport and has also been an active member of the College Sports Communicators and Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). Tommasino serves as the primary contact for the nationally ranked CNU softball team and handled all the media relations needs when they won the 2022 NCAA Division III national championship.  

Tracey Cooper, Christopher Newport University, Radio color analyst: “I've worked with Francis as his color analyst since CNU started its football program in 2001. We've gotten to call football games during an undefeated season, NCAA tournament football & basketball games, including multiple final fours and a national championship. We've also called games from an opponent's parking lot, press box rooftops and even in the bleachers aside the fans attending the game. At each game, Francis always delivered the most consistent and professional broadcast, and I've been fortunate enough to be along for the ride. He always has a smile on his face because he loves what he does, and he does it as well as anyone at any level. But what I have enjoyed most is the time we've been able to spend together on road trips and Thursday ‘Lunch Bunch’ gatherings during football season. We’d not only talk about the upcoming game, but catch up on each other’s family, sing along to radio tunes and quiz Francis on his encyclopedic knowledge of sports, music and other topics. I’m very lucky to have been able to work with one of my favorite people. Congratulations on an amazing 25 years, Francis!”

Clint Often, University of Mary Washington, Assistant AD Communications: “I’ve known and enjoyed my interactions with Francis for the better part of three decades now, despite our schools being rivals. His professionalism is matched only by his congeniality, and I know that the success at Christopher Newport is due in part to the positive image that Francis portrays, not only of himself, but of the entire athletic department. He is very good at what he does, and the enthusiasm he shows reflects positively on everyone he comes in contact with. Here’s to 25 more, Francis!”

Matt Kelchner, Christopher Newport University, Head Football Coach / Associate Athletic Director: “Francis Tommasino has had a positive impact on thousands of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and the general public over the course of his career. You will not find one person in that time who will have a negative thing to say about him. He deserves this recognition! And he is the funniest person I've met in my entire career!!! Congratulations, Frankie!”

Paul Crowley, Christopher Newport University, Head Football Coach: “Francis is one of the very best people in the college athletics business in any capacity. He brings a positive attitude to work each and every day and has benefited the lives of countless student-athletes with his professionalism. The CNU Athletics Department is an infinitely better place because of his presence.”

Keith Parr, Christopher Newport University, Head Softball Coach: “Francis has been with us now for over 20 years at Captains Park and the softball program. It has been a pleasure to hear him announce our games and read his wonderful postgame stories. They are always well done and thought out to emphasize the player and team's accomplishments. It truly brightens gameday to see and talk to Francis in the moments before the action starts. He makes the sport that he is covering that much better during the action with his voice and has truly made CNU athletics that much better with his talents!”

Jim Heath, Hampton University, Director of Strategic and Broadcast Communications: “Francis has helped push the department at CNU to unprecedented heights in his tenure, be it within the athletic communications department or as the full-time 'Voice of the Captains.' He has always done it with a smile, joke, and professionalism throughout.”