College Sports Information Directors of America

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. 

Mark Simpson – Big South Conference Senior Associate Commissioner of Communications & Branding 

Mark Simpson is in his first year in the position of Big South Conference Senior Associate Commissioner, and marks his 21st season on the Big South staff. He joined in 2004 as director of public relations and was elevated to associate commissioner in 2018.

Simpson oversees the conference’s communications & branding efforts, media services, and operations for 19 Division I sports. He serves as the primary contact for men's basketball and men's and women's golf and supports the Big South-OVC Football Association’s publicity efforts. He also manages social media, digital content, and the Big South Hall of Fame and records/archives.

Before joining the Big South, Simpson was a staff writer for The Sports Business Daily and served as director of media & public relations for the ECHL Charlotte Checkers, earning the league's Public Relations Award in 1999. He also held positions with the Mid-Continent Conference and Northwestern University.

Simpson is a member of the United States Basketball Writers Association and has worked numerous NCAA events, including the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament and NCAA Division I Golf Championship. A 1993 graduate of Eastern Michigan University, he started his career as a student SID and public relations intern with the Detroit Tigers.



 

Kyle Kallander, retired commissioner, Big South Conference: "Mark Simpson is absolutely one of the best, hardest-working, most professional colleagues I ever had the pleasure of working with. His conscientiousness, attention to detail, and care for others has served the Big South membership so well. They are fortunate to have this servant-leader in the Conference office. I can think of no one that deserves this honor more. Congratulations Mark!"

Sherika A. Montgomery, Big South Commissioner: "Mark Simpson embodies what it means to be a dedicated and servant leader. Mark has told the story of the Big South Conference for over 20 years. From Conference rebranding efforts to highlighting countless student-athlete accomplishments, Mark has positively impacted the Big South Conference and the sports communications profession for a quarter of a century. We are elated to celebrate Mark and this beyond-deserving recognition. In addition to Mark’s external leadership, his internal leadership has developed and mentored many college sports communicators over the years."

Marc Rabb, Southern Conference Associate Commissioner for Championships: "Mark stepped into his role in 2004 on the heels of former Big South communications leaders Drew Dickerson and Jason Corriher, and quickly lived up to a great standard. I’ve grown to admire Mark’s work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to elevate his work higher each year. He’s a terrific person who cares for the communications pros he works with around the Big South, develops and maintains wonderful relationships with external media, and does so with great character. He’s a genuine role model for anyone in the business. I consider it an honor to have worked under his guidance during my time in the league."

Mike Gore, retired UNC Asheville Sports Information Director: "Mark Simpson is the heart and soul of the Big South Conference. Our league has been incredibly lucky to have him for the past 20 years and he has been invaluable in leading our publicity efforts. No one works harder than Mark to promote our league in every sport it participates. 

I have been honored to work with him during his tenure on so many Big South items and have gotten to see first-hand his hard work and devotion to our league. On a personal note, Lisa and I are honored that we are able to call Mark Simpson a friend!!!"

Jim Streeter, retired Sports Information Director at Eastern Michigan University: "Way back in the day, before social media, sports information staffs would produce a weekly release with all of the details on their athletic teams and send it out by U.S. mail to their media contacts. At Eastern Michigan University we would work on the release Sunday morning and get it in the mail by 1 p.m. that day.

Mark Simpson was a student assistant in our office and he lived in a dorm directly across the street from our office. 

One Sunday morning I took one of my young sons to help out on the project. When Mark came over from his dorm room he was wearing his bathrobe and ready to help out.

My son said, 'Who is that Sleepy Dude?'

And a nickname was born for his entire student life at EMU!

Congrats 'Sleepy' on a great 25 years."




Mark Simpson on receving a CSC 25-Year Award:
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the College Sports Communicators. I could not have made it to this moment without the love and support of my wife, Jennifer, and our kids, Carolyn and Adam. They’ve endured the hectic schedule over the years, but have always been positive lights.

I want to thank the terrific mentors, supportive commissioners, my amazing assistants past and present, the talented co-workers and CSC colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with all these years, and the great relationships with many, many media members. My sincerest THANKS and GRATITUDE for all they have done.”  

On those who have influenced and mentored him through the years…
I have been fortunate to have terrific mentors – mainly Jim Streeter, Greg Shea and Brian Morrison. These three provided me enormous opportunities and great trust, and I continue to apply their teaching and techniques to this day. And a shout out to John Hamel for taking me under his wing when I first started as a student at Eastern Michigan.
 
I’ve had the pleasure of working with immensely supportive Commissioners in Dr. Jon Steinbrecher (Mid-Continent Conference), as well as Kyle Kallander and Sherika Montgomery (Big South Conference). They provided tools and resources that allowed me to excel in this profession through the years.

Giving a shoutout for the assistance and support of CSC members and colleagues… 
This award is not possible without the amazing assistants I have had – notably Brandon McGinnis and Jordan Parry, as well as talented co-workers in Chad Cook, Matt VanSandt, Mark Bryant and Emily Dassel, as well as countless interns. Lastly, the CSC colleagues I have had the pleasure to work with and learn from all these years, and the great relationships with many, many media members, really signifies how special this honor is.