College Sports Information Directors of America

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• 2023 Special Awards Announcements and Features
• #CSCUnite23 Convention Home
• Past Achievement Award Recipients

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Brandon Hensley – University of the Cumberlands, Director of Athletic Video Operations

CSC Achievement Award
Presented annually to two College Sports Communicators members – one in the University Division (NCAA DI) and one in the College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, Canadian institutions) – currently serving in the role of an associate or assistant director in the athletics communications field who have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics communications and provided exceptional service to their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics affiliated association. A nominee must have 10-or-more years of experience in the athletics communications profession and must have not served in the lead role overseeing an athletics communications office. This award is designed for an individual who has not been a recipient of any prestigious CSC major award (Arch Ward, Warren Berg, Hall of Fame) in their careers. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.

by Tommy Chasanoff – University of the Cumberlands, Assistant AD/Sports Information

It is hard to think about the evolution of streaming in the NAIA without mentioning the University of the Cumberlands athletic department, which has been at the forefront of production for the better part of the last decade.  The man behind the scenes, Brandon Hensley, has produced, broadcasted, or streams thousands of Patriots events, while also promoting all of Cumberlands sports. That is why his dedication and service is being recognized as the 2023 CSC Achievement Award recipient for the college division.

Hensley becomes the first person from the NAIA to earn this CSC Achievement Award distinction.  The Achievement Award began in 2015 and is presented annually to one university representative and one college representative that is currently serving in the role of an associate or assistant director who have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics communications. Along with the other award winners, Hensley will be recognized at the 2023 CSC Convention in Orlando, FL in June, receiving his honor on June 14.
 

The success of the Patriots award winning production has come in large part to the hard work and vision of Hensley, the Director of Athletic Video Operations at Cumberlands. It’s a role that he has served in for 11 years.

“This honor is a testament that we’re able to do the University of the Cumberlands is being noticed at a national level,” said Hensley. “One of my goals when I came to UC, was to elevate the sports information department at a conference and national level. Not only has that happened, but as we've seen for the past seven years, we've elevated to a national level not only in the NAIA, but all divisions of college.”

Hensley came to UC in 2008 as a student assistant before being hired full-time. He began as an assistant SID and doing radio broadcast before moving to shoot highlights during the 2008-09 season. In 2015, Brandon’s role change once again this time he was elevated to take over streaming for all of Patriots athletic events. 

“Brandon has been a pioneer for small college athletes with his vision for broadcasting, streaming, and overall coverage of Patriots Athletics,” said assistant athletic director for sports information Tommy Chasanoff.  “His tireless work ethic has elevated UC athletics to have one of the best productions and overall platforms in both the NAIA and all of small college athletics.”

Hensley has been a critical part of the Patriots production - from working behind the scenes to being the on-air talent for countless Patriots games and moments. Over the past eight years, UC athletics have averaged roughly 175 broadcast per season, providing Patriots fans with high quality streams and broadcast across 17 sports. In addition to coordinating that, Hensley also has been shooting and producing highlights for all 28 Cumberlands teams.

“Brandon is a gifted broadcaster and the University of Cumberlands is incredibly fortunate to have someone of his talent level serving our Athletic Department,” noted Athletic Director Chris Kraftick.

Over the past several years, Hensley has produced the PATS Awards, UC’s annual award show, the Patriots Play of the Week, and was an key part of multiple Cumberlands series including the All-Decade team that came out in 2020 and the 2022 year in review series.  In addition, Hensley worked with the NAIA to create and implement the NAIA Play of the Week.

“From the time I arrived at UC, I knew Brandon was talented and hardworking. One of the best things is that he is constantly seeking ways to improve coverage of Patriots Athletes and provide live streaming and commentary to sports such as swimming and archery, sports that never had that level of coverage previously. His passion for providing quality coverage for our student-athletes as well as he wiliness to help others in the profession is incredible and part of what makes him unique,” said Chasanoff.

Hensley’s hard work has garnered both conference and national attention as he receives high praised from colleagues throughout the profession. Over the past half decade, UC athletics has garnered 56 NAIA-SIDA publication awards, including winning the Spitler Award in 2021 with a record number 26 top-ten finishes. Brandon’s work on the production side has been a critical part of these honors as Hensley has earn the top spot four times, including being voted the 2022 Call of the Year for baseball’s Ray Villanueva's walk-off homer against Shawnee State on April 9.

“This recognition doesn't happen without the support of the administration. Dr. Cockrum, Chris Kraftick, and Tommy Chasanoff have enabled me to do my job by giving me the resources that I need to succeed,” Hensley noted. “I'd like to thank them for trusting in the vision that we implement to make our product the best that it can be.”