College Sports Information Directors of America

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Lester Jordan Award
Named after the program’s founder, the Lester Jordan Award is presented to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America Program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete. Nominations are solicited by and voted upon by the Academic All-America Core Committee.

Jeff Schwartz – North Dakota State University, Senior Associate Director of Athletic Communications (retired)

A mainstay of the CSC Academic All-America® Core Program Committee, retired North Dakota State Senior Associate Director of Athletic Communications Jeff Schwartz will receive the 2024 Lester Jordan Award.

A Message from Jeff Schwartz, 2024 Lester Jordan Award Recipient – "I am extremely humbled by this award. I have always believed the Academic All-America® program is the signature program of the College Sports Communicators since I started in this profession back in 1981. Mr. Lester Jordan was a true visionary and it has been my pleasure to not only nominate student-athletes for this award, but also have the privilege to work with the Academic All-America® program. I am honored to have my name list among the previous talented and distinguished recipients. Thank you so much."
   
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Associate Vice President for Athletics and former chair of the Academic All-America® Core Program Committee, Kevin Lanke – "Jeff Schwartz has embodied all that is right with the Academic All-America® program. His committee work with the publicity team and formerly as a district coordinator has always been completed with the highest professional standards. Jeff’s efforts for the publicity team have helped tell the story of thousands of student-athletes over the past 15 years, and he is an extremely deserving recipient of the Lester Jordan Award."

Illinois Wesleyan University Assistant Athletic Director - Athletic Communications/current chair of the Academic All-America® Core Program Committee, Katie Gonzales – "Jeff has been a dedicated member of the Academic All-America® committee for decades. I am thrilled to see him recognized as this year's recipient of the Lester Jordan Award. Jeff has been a key part of the promotion of the program and the student-athletes it recognizes. His long-time work and impact on the committee is second to none, and we are incredibly fortunate that he has remained a part of it in his retirement."

Ohio Wesleyan Sports Information Director/ former chair of the Academic All-America® Core Program Committee, Mark Beckenbach – "Between publicizing the accomplishments of Academic All-America® student-athletes since 2010 and an additional 10 years as a district coordinator compiling Academic All-District® teams in eight different programs, Jeff Schwartz has been involved with the program for nearly a quarter of a century.  Much has changed in the program, the process, and the profession during that time, but two constants have been the outstanding quality of Jeff's work and his dedication to the student-athletes and the AAA program.  He is a most worthy selection for the Lester Jordan Award."

After an illustrious 31-year career at North Dakota State, Jeff Schwartz retired from the athletic communications profession in June 2019. Schwartz started at NDSU in 1989 as the women's sports information director, quickly becoming a lasting advocate for the Bison women's programs. He championed the efforts of countless NDSU championship teams over the decades, from volleyball and track and field to football.

Since 2000 while at NDSU, Schwartz had been a member of the CSC Academic All-America®  Committee. And, upon retirement, he has continued his service to the committee.

For this long-time commitment to the AAA committee and to the ideals of the program, Schwartz will receive the 2024 Lester Jordan Award.

Schwartz joined the Academic All-America Committee in July 2000 and for 10 years, was a district coordinator for numerous sports programs, including University Division volleyball, women's basketball, softball, football, men's soccer, baseball, men’s track & field-cross country, and the at-large program. 

In 2010, he became a AAA committee leader in publicity for the program, moving into the co-vice chair role for publicity from 2014-16 before holding his current position as co-directory of publicity from 2016 to today. He assists the CSC staff in compiling and writing all the Academic All-America team announcements.