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Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to individuals who have served at least 25 years
in the athletics communications profession (as of July 2023) who are retiring or leaving the profession.
Years of service vetted by the Special Awards Committee.
Joe Browning – UNC Wilmington Senior Associate Athletic Director (retired)
Lifetime Achievement Award
The dean of athletic communicators in the Carolinas and the Coastal Athletic Association (formerly Colonial Athletic Association),
Joe Browning compiled some impressive statistics during his 37 years as a collegiate athletic administrator at UNCW. He served seven chancellors and seven athletic directors, worked with 107 head coaches, promoted 13,000-plus student-athletes and traveled to more than 40 states and four countries. He also publicized all 33 of the school's CAA championships.
Browning retired from his post as senior associate athletic director on Sept. 1, 2023.
Browning had a 42-year career in college athletics, and served in a variety of roles with the Seahawks over the 37 years he was part of UNCW.
As a member of UNCW Athletics' senior management team, Browning led communication efforts and oversaw many of the department's programs, including creation of the department's first athletics website, establishing the UNCW Athletic Hall of Fame, developing the Seahawk Digital Network, and expanding the university's radio and internet properties. Browning was one of the founders and served as the first president of the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association.
In May 2022, Browning was inducted into UNCW's prestigious Order of Issac Bear, an honor recognizing "those who have demonstrated loyalty to UNCW, contributed to the academic quality of the university or had a significant role in uniting the institution and the community."
A regular attendee at the annual CSC conventions, Browning participated in numerous Goodwill and Wellness Committee community service/charity events and fundraising opportunities around each convention.
The CSC Lifetime Achievement Award is his second major recognition by the organization. He also received a 25-Year Award in 2008.
Browning's work in athletics extended to international competitions. A media relations staff member for the U.S. Olympic Committee, he worked the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba and the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France.
Gallery: (4-10-2024) Joe Browning, Lifetime Achievement
Joe Browning’s reflections on his career...
"Any successes and accomplishments I've achieved through the years have been due to the unwavering support of my family and a truly dedicated staff. I have so many fond memories of four decades in college athletics. It has been a pleasure to tell and share the unique stories of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to serve as a role model and mentor for numerous interns and staff members. Building and nurturing relationships has always been the key to any success I’ve had. Watching individuals enjoy growth in their personal and professional careers has always been very rewarding.
We've had tremendous leadership and visionaries who have set the course for success at UNCW. I've always been very proud to give tours and share the history of our institution. It is a special university that provides a quality education while preparing tomorrow's leaders."
Jimmy Bass, former UNC Wilmington Athletic Director (retired): "Joe’s legacy will be his stellar work ethic and the genuine relationships he maintained with those that he worked with through the years. During our time working together Joe’s greatest contributions were his loyalty to UNCW, support of student athletes, coaches and media with patience, honesty and humor. Joe has been one of the most highly respected athletic communications professionals in intercollegiate athletics for decades."
Advice he would give to a person starting out in this profession today…
I encourage young professionals to remain positive, enjoy every moment and persevere. Those new to the profession would do well to follow the three As - be adaptable, accessible and achieving. Be ready and willing to adjust on the fly in order to get the job done. Be approachable to everyone and embrace a servant mentality. Be innovative and ambitious every day, paving a path for success in every task.
When asked what one or two of the biggest changes took place in his job from when he started compared to the later years of his career…
Two of the most transformative occurrences during my career involved the launch of the computer age and advent of social media. In my early years, most of the workflow was completed on manual and electric typewriters, limiting the accuracy and speed of word processing and statistics. Computers not only allowed us to compose quickly and distribute data immediately, they provided an outlet to increase storage capabilities for historical and archival purposes. Computers brought about the world wide web and an avenue – websites - to reach so many constituencies with ease. The rise of social media, including the explosion of video, hastened the demise of the print media and presented yet another challenge for our profession.