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Past Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award Recipients
Retired NCAA executive Williams selected for CSC Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award
Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award
Presented to an individual who, or an organization which, has made a
lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and has been a loyal supporter of College Sports Communicators and its mission.
Voted on by the Executive Board of Directors only when worthy candidates are nominated.
by Alivia Dieterlen – CSC Assistant Director of Communications and Creative Content
Bob Williams, former NCAA senior vice president of communications, is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award from College Sports Communicators.
The Keith Jackson Award is presented to an individual who has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence, and has been a loyal supporter of CSC and its mission.
During his 19-year career with the NCAA, Williams provided strategic communication direction and was the Association’s chief communications officer. In this role, he also served as the Association's primary media spokesperson. Williams first served as managing director of public and media relations starting in 2005 before being promoted to vice president of communications in 2010 and senior vice president in 2013.
“CSC’s decision to honor me with the Keith Jackson award means a lot to me for several reasons,” said Williams, “I grew up watching him and admiring him as a communicator so this is really special. Additionally, being recognized by college sports’ top professional communicators is certainly a highlight in my career.”
Bob Williams speaking at the 2017 CoSIDA (now CSC) convention in Orlando, FL.
Throughout his career, Williams was a strong advocate for CSC and its members. He was a featured speaker at numerous CSC conventions on the topics of strategic communication, challenges in the industry, and opportunities in college sports communications. Williams also dedicated time to discuss and advocate for the role of athletic communicators on their campuses, in conference offices and at the national level.
“Bob Williams is such an outstanding choice for the Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award,” said CSC President John Paquette. “Bob enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the NCAA as the organization’s chief spokesman. It was a job that certainly had challenges on a regular basis. Whatever the situation, Bob showed professionalism and class at every turn. And throughout his time at the NCAA, he was always a vocal supporter of CSC and our profession.”
“Bob has been a steadfast advocate both for CSC as an organization and for CSC’s members to be viewed as important leaders within college sports,” said Erik Christianson, CSC executive director. “He is one of the most talented communicators I’ve had the pleasure to work with in my career, and he is most deserving of this national recognition.”
Prior to his work at the NCAA, Williams had a 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force, including at the Pentagon and as director of public affairs for Air Combat Command. In that role, he led a team of 54 communication professionals developing global communications strategies for the Air Force’s primary fighting forces. Williams retired as a full colonel from the Air Force before joining the NCAA.
Williams received numerous awards from the Air Force for his work in public affairs, including the Legion of Merit. He was also inducted into the John McLendon Minority Athletics Administrators Hall of Fame in 2012.
Williams earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the State University College at Buffalo (now Buffalo State University) and his master’s degree in mass communication and public relations from Boston University.
All CSC Special Award honorees will be recognized during the 2024 CSC Convention, scheduled for June 9-12 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, in conjunction with NACDA and Affiliates Convention Week.
The Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award will be recognized June 10 during the CSC All-Star Night of Honors.
Gallery: (4-12-2024) Bob Williams, Keith Jackson Award