College Sports Information Directors of America

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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. 

Gene Cassell – Washburn University Assistant Athletic Director for Communications

Gene Cassell is in his 25th year as Washburn's Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications after starting in December 1998. He is the past Chairman of CSC's (formerly CoSIDA) Publications and Design Contest Committee and served five years as a D2SIDA Regional Representative.

Career reflections from Gene Cassell, 25-Year Award recipient – "Being recognized for 25 years of service is something I'm proud of but I also think it says a lot about spending all 25 of them in one place at Washburn. It's been a long ride but I also think this award goes to my family too because I don't think there's too many professions like ours where your family is all in with you - due to the time commitment to the position and the sacrifices they and more specifically my wife Regina, has made.

What I enjoy the most is having a family with our coaches at Washburn. We genuinely care about each other and their families. Working with student-athletes is really great, with students who work hard in both the classroom and their sports. Then seeing them come back for alumni events, or now, (see those who) have kids who will go to school at Washburn and compete. It's really fun to catch up again.

My athletic director Loren Ferré is the one who hired me and he's a great boss to work for. It helps that our programs are all competitive so being around coaches and staff who want to win is definitely helpful."
 
Washburn on his mentors: "When I joined the MIAA at Washburn, there was a powerhouse of SID's in the league. I had my first mentor at Northwest with Larry Cain. There was also Bill Cable at Northeast Missouri (now Truman State), Bill Turnage at Central Missouri, John Kean at Missouri S&T, J.D. Campbell at Emporia State, Pat Madden at Missouri Western, Dan Wilkes at Pittsburg State and Matt Newberry at the MIAA - so to a newbie coming into a league I had an encyclopedia of information coming from these guys and they were always available for a phone call for some advice or to bounce an idea off of."

GENE CASSELL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER TIPS

• I wish I had told my younger self to take more time for yourself and your family. It was a different world 25 years ago when I was first starting, with no social media, no streaming, no graphics and websites had just started. I traveled with the teams. Now, I'm able to do 99 percent of what is needed from home. So I would say now in the 24-hour, get it out results/scores/graphics now … take a moment. Go have lunch/dinner with your family. Put the cell phone or laptop down. 

• If you do travel and have kids, take them on road trips. Some of the best memories I have with our boys are going on road trips, staying in hotels or going to CSC conventions with them or with my wife Regina. But overall be happy where you're at. If you're not happy, I think your motivation will not be there nor will your heart. It's corny but be great at where you're at. Do your best for the school you're at. And remember to breathe and listen to your body and take care of yourself. 

• After having my own health scare with a heart attack on Feb. 23, 2023, I plead with everyone to get out from behind the desk. Go for a walk, watch what you eat, so find a treadmill and unplug. It will all be there when you return. Also ask questions of other SID's. At my first conventions I would see the big time SIDs from big-time schools and I was too afraid to say hi and introduce myself. Also go to conventions and actively participate in sessions. All of us SIDs are in this together and connected in some way or another.