College Sports Information Directors of America

Download event photos, session documents and downloads from CSC Unite 2026

story by Colby Shannon, 2025-26 CSC Intern
video by Marlee Ressa, videography by Patrick Dieterlen, photography by Sofiia Briantseva

Each year, CSC Unite is dedicated to the relationships built across schools, departments, conferences, and organizations. But this year, CSC’s convention was especially defined by the connection of everyone at convention. While connections are constantly being built year-round between college sports communicators, today’s connections were shaped by identity, purpose, and collaboration. Though day three of CSC Unite 2026 has concluded, the connections built will continue for years to come.

With a loaded schedule of featured sessions, convention attendees were treated to a packed day of programming, which began with Andrew Davis’ session on AI and the advantage of creating a doppelganger to be a more effective professional. Hosted in collaboration with ICLA and NACMA, Davis’ session taught members how to utilize AI strategically and tailor the software to match the individual. According to Davis, we can all use AI to “leverage the power of mimicry and imitation.”

Back-to-back big-hitter presentations took place in the ballroom this morning, as Holly Rowe and Dick Enberg Award Recipient Billy Mills followed Davis’ session. Rowe and Mills discussed the philanthropic impact the Olympic Gold Medalist runner Mills has had on younger native populations. “I want the young people to know that I believe in them. I believe in their dream,” Mills said. The Lakota Tribe representative also expressed how important the right to vote is for younger generations, and that fostering peace and stability in the United States begins with inspiring young people to make a difference.

Mills wasn’t the only Olympian to sit on a CSC panel today, two-time Olympic diver Alison Gibson joined CSC’s Matt Panto and Jeremy Rosenthal on-stage to talk about ways that professionals can better connect and support collegiate athletes. Gibson’s remarks taught audiences to be mindful of how much care they express to their athletes, and to tell stories that student-athletes want to be told. Rosenthal shared that communicators have the opportunity to personify student-athletes for fans and potential career advancement.  

The connection built between CSC Unite attendees ascended into meeting rooms, as partner companies worked to connect members with new skillsets. The team at ESPN statistics gave another presentation on understanding their process and stayed late for a networking hour, while Adobe also presented on their Premiere, Photoshop, and Illustrator products for operation on both mobile and computer systems. Additionally, visual artists of CSC were given presentations on economically producing broadcast and photography content.

Jason Feirman and Sarah Ramundt of LSU's The Brand returned to the stage for a session on "Turning identity into impact" where they detailed the thought process and planning their teams rely on to help define voice, values and personality.

The communications connection was spotlighted today when former president Mary Beth Challoner brought the front office communications team from the Las Vegas Aces on-stage for what she thought would be like any other high profile featured session. But when 2025-26 President Patrick Crawford walked to the podium, Challoner’s demeanor changed, as did the script she was given. Crawford emotionally announced that Challoner would be receiving a surprise CSC President’s Award.

 

Wiping away the tears, Challoner continued the panel with Las Vegas Aces staff members Carley Sisolak, Kasey Siobal, Amber Del Rio, and Carolina Williams. The panelists discussed how the goal of the Aces is to always expand their brand, doing so by using feedback from management, fans, and the players to craft an identity around championship pedigree women’s basketball. The Emmy Award winning team shared that they value highlighting each and every player on the Aces, not just the superstars, (even though it’s easy to do with a franchise like Las Vegas’).

 

 

Circling back to the overall goal of CSC’s annual convention, today’s afternoon sessions created an opportunity for unity among CSC’s affiliate identity groups. CSC’s Member Resource Communities all had a chance to meet to discuss their goals, connect with another, and reflect on challenges they’ve experienced in the industry. The member resources CSC offers is just another example of the connection possibilities at CSC Unite.

Convention attendees also had the opportunity to connect and learn from the best in the business, as an open table forum was held to speak with 2026 CSC award winners. Leann Parker (Ohio State), Ashleigh Jones (Denison), Amy Villa (San José State), Mike Mahoney (Penn), Kevin Trainor (Arkansas), Tim Heiduk (Point Loma Nazarene), Paige Ward (Southern Athletic Association), J.D. Campbell (retired), Rachel Schermick (Ivy League), and Courtney Day (DePaul) all opened their hearts to younger professionals to offer advice, listen to concerns, and have conversations about ways to succeed in the industry.

Today’s connections concluded with a collaboration with CSC’s partner convention host, NACDA. All CSC convention attendees were invited to NACDA’s awards ceremonies, which featured conversations with Learfield President & CEO Cole Gahagan and NCAA President Charlie Baker. Following the NACDA awards, CSC members were invited into the NACDA exhibit hall for dinner, drinks, partnerships… and puppies.

CSC Unite attendees, do not fear! Though, just one day remains of our annual convention, the connections you’ve made throughout this journey will continue to blossom far beyond your time in Las Vegas!