College Sports Information Directors of America

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Larry Dougherty – Temple University, Senior Associate AD/Strategic Communications // CSC Past President (2010-11)

CSC Arch Ward Award
Presented annually to a current College Sports Communicators member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college athletics communications, and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.

by Rob Knox – Thurgood Marshall College Fund Senior Director of Strategic Communications / CSC Past President (2018-19)

Larry Dougherty is a monument of excellence with a foundation rooted in family and service.
 
Revered for his kindness and leadership, Dougherty has spent most of his life in Philadelphia sharing stories, mentoring students, and colleagues, and making sure legendary men’s basketball coaches Phil Martelli and John Chaney met all of their media obligations while he told the stories of their players.
 
He has stories for days from a memorable career that started at Saint Joseph’s University – also in Philadelphia. Dougherty currently is in his 20th year at Temple, currently in his senior director of strategic communications role.
 
 
That said, Dougherty is as much a Philadelphia treasure as soft pretzels, cheesesteaks, mummer’s costumes, and Broad Street.
 
“The best part of what we do is sharing positive stories that impact the lives of others,” Dougherty said. “That brings me the most happiness. The wins are wonderful, and I love sharing them with the players, coaches, and staff.  But to share a story that can impact a life, that is priceless.”
 
Yet, it’s a legacy of treating people right that is Dougherty’s trademark and why he’s a well-deserved recipient of this year’s College Sports Communicators Arch Ward Award. This honor is presented annually to a CSC member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of athletic communications, and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession. 
 
“First, looking at the list of past recipients I am humbled to be even considered, let alone receive the Arch Ward award,” Dougherty said. “So, it does mean a great deal to me to receive this honor. I only wish some of my mentors, past recipient Al Shrier, Bob Vetrone and my father Andy, were still here to share this with me as they played such instrumental roles in my development as a professional and person.”
 
Dougherty adds the Arch Ward honor to an impressive list of accolades and achievements.
 
During his memorable career, Dougherty, a CSC past president, has earned numerous honors for his professional excellence and selflessness. He was the recipient of the ECAC-SIDA’s 2011 Irving T. Marsh Award.  He was inducted into the (CoSIDA) CSC Hall of Fame in 2015.  In 2017 he was named the recipient of ECAC-SIDA Pete Nevins Award for Distinguished Service and received (CoSIDA's) Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award. 
 
“My father Andy truly was my hero,” Dougherty said. “Not only was he an amazing role model, but was a person who was always there for everyone, family, friends and in particular student-athletes and coaches when he was working as the SID at Saint Joseph’s. There was not a piece of advice that I took from him, but rather his actions that spoke volumes to me.  Mainly, he let me know that it is never about you.  It is always about the student-athletes.  He loved promoting and telling the stories of others and that is something I have taken with me and tried to emulate in my career.”
 
Dougherty, who served as chair of the organizing committee for the 2009 ECAC-SIDA Workshop held in Avalon, N.J., and the 2005 CoSIDA Workshop held in Philadelphia, can smile proudly at the evolution of CSC since he handed off the prestigious presidential gavel following his term of leading the organization following the 2010-11 year.
 
One moment that stands out for Dougherty is being present in New York when former CSC executive director John Humenik signed an agreement that expanded the Academic All-America program in terms of the number of teams as well as divisions honored.
 
“It is amazing how far our organization has come over the past dozen years since I served as the organization’s president,” Dougherty said. “I am so proud of our leadership, past and present, for always putting the membership first. I look at when I first joined the Board as a vice president, and was involved in the process of hiring our first executive director. That was a critical step for our profession.  From John Humenik to Doug Vance and now Erik Christianson, the organization has been blessed with great leaders who have continued to promote our industry and its members.”
 
The core value of family is one that fills Dougherty with pride. He’s married to Julie, and they are proud of their three children: Connor, 30, Mackenzie, 27, and Dylan, 23. While Dougherty recognizes the challenges and time the job of an athletic communicator requires, he intentionally finds a balance and shares some wisdom.
 
“My advice would be never let your family suffer due to your career,” Dougherty noted. “Family is always first. Obviously, we need to miss important events due to work at times, but so do other professions. When that occurs, I look to find a way to make sure that we celebrate on a different day.”
 
Once again, Dougherty’s family will be front and center as he is feted for his accomplishments to the athletic communications profession. His father and mentors will be looking down proudly.