• 2015 CoSIDA Special Awards general announcement/release
• Special Awards feature story schedule
by Anne Abicht, St. Cloud State Director of Athletic Media Relations
With a balance of creativity, humor and integrity, longtime St. Cloud State Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations Tom Nelson has been
honored for his tireless work in supporting Huskies Athletics as the recipient of the inaugural College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Achievement Award for the college division.
Nelson joins CoSIDA Achievement Award university division recipient Diane Nordstrom (Wisconsin) as the first-time honorees of the award, given to an associate or assistant direcctor for outstanding service and commitment to the collegiate athletic media relations profession.
Nelson arrived on the St. Cloud State campus in 1996 and has been an integral part of the strategic communications SCSU employs to recognize student-athletes and generate interest and pride in Huskies athletics. His efforts to promote student-athletes and programs with a mix of print and visual mediums has landed the St. Cloud State name in local, national and niche media throughout his Huskies career.
Nelson’s contributions to the sports communications profession have been many. He is a master at identifying special stories, introducing them to the mass media and shining a bright, positive spotlight on St. Cloud State’s student-athletes. Once he finds a story idea, Nelson picks up the phone and makes his pitch on behalf of a young student-athlete.
In the summer months, Nelson’s a regular on the athletics department golf fundraising circuit, flipping burgers and brats, greeting alumni
and donors, and just enjoying the fun of a social event.
Whether it’s a hockey player or wrestler, starter or third stringer, if there is a story to be told, Nelson will be at the front of the effort to recognize student-athlete accomplishments. His commitment to embracing the back stories and successes of student-athletes is second to none, and that commitment is supported by the positive feedback from student-athletes, coaches, administrators, supporters and alumni who follow St. Cloud State athletics.
The biggest feather in Nelson’s cap has to be landing a story about Huskies baseball player Kent Koch in the
New York Times. Koch was elected mayor of his hometown of Loretto, Minnesota, during his senior season with the Huskies.
Bill Pennington, the Times writer of the article, was appreciative of Nelson’s help. The day the story appeared, Pennington sent this email.
“Today’s story about Kent has been the most emailed and most viewed sports story on the
New York Times website for most of this afternoon.
Moreover, they’ve moved the story to the home page, promoting it with a nice color picture of Kent to play it up some more. Loretto should be proud! Just thought you might like to know. Thanks again for your help with everything.”
Another feather in Nelson’s cap is the success of the Huskies wrestling program as St. Cloud State brought home its first NCAA Division II National Championship, in any sport, last March. Nelson was there to capture the greatest moment in Huskies athletics history through his photography and writing.
“It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with Tom Nelson,” said Steve Costanzo, head wrestling coach. “Tom has always made sure that the sport of wrestling at St. Cloud State is a priority. His willingness to stay late, work weekends and travel on long trips has been much appreciated. Tom runs a first-class operation when it comes to marketing and promoting our university and student-athletes.”
Nelson was also behind the successful nomination and promotion of the 2013 Hobey Baker Award Winner Drew LeBlanc and 2014 runner-up Nic Dowd.
In addition to his promotion of Huskies athletics, Nelson has been a mentor and educator to young people who have volunteered, interned or served as graduate assistants in the St. Cloud State athletic media relations office. His patience and humor has been a foundation for developing young people into communications professionals. Two of St. Cloud State’s former graduate assistants went on to become CoSIDA College Division Rising Stars, Saint John’s (Minn.) Ryan Klinkner and Sarah Meier of Fort Lewis College.
“Tom has been one of three people that has influenced my career greatly from teaching me the ropes to giving me guidance and support in landing my first full-time job as a sports information professional,” said Bemidji State Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations Andy Sailer. “Tom has been a tremendous contributor to my success as a young professional. He truly cared and wanted me to succeed which meant a great deal. He is a mentor and a great friend.”
In all, Nelson’s demeanor, work ethic, sincerity and care for St. Cloud State Athletics make him one of CoSIDA’s best. He brings fun to his work and has the respect of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, media, fans and alumni. He is a most valuable member of the St. Cloud State community.
Nelson and his wife Colleen reside in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and are the parents of two college age children, Lauren and Patrick.