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. 

Rob Bentley – Ferris State University Associate Athletics Director 

Rob Bentley is the longest-tenured SID and communications staff member in Ferris State Athletics history and is also the longest-serving current administrator in Bulldog Athletics.

During his tenure at NCAA Division II Ferris State, Bentley has been the school’s primary media relations contact for four Ferris State national championship teams, telling the stories for the 2018 NCAA D2 men’s basketball national champions and for the NCAA titleist Bulldog football team in 2021, 2022 and 2024.

Bentley has played a leading role in promoting six National Player of the Year honors in football (three Harlon Hill Trophy recipients), men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey.

In addition to his duties as associate athletics director overseeing communications for 17 sports, he also is the radio voice of Ferris State football, men's and women's basketball and volleyball and the host of the Ferris Sports Update television show highlighting FSU Athletics, which has been shown live across the state on both broadcast and cable outlets for the past 15 years. Bentley also hosts the "Bulldog Blitz" football and basketball radio shows.

Bentley has been honored five times as the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) Division II Midwest Region Women's Volleyball SID of the Year for his role promoting the Bulldog volleyball program. He's also received numerous national honors from both CSC and the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) in each of the organization's annual nationwide awards programs for storytelling and digital campaigns and media guides. 

Among his numerous honors, Bentley led the Bulldogs' involvement in the Michigan's 2013 "Best Sports Logo" contest sponsored by the Detroit Free Press with FSU eventually winning the competition over such iconic organizations as the Detroit Lions, Red Wings & Tigers among others. 

In addition to his communications duties, Bentley serves on the university's Social Media Team and the Sports Leadership Institute Advisory Board for the university's sports communication program. He also is heavily involved in helping coordinate D2SIDA men’s basketball media polls. 


 

Kris Dunbar, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference commissioner: "When Rob Bentley started at Ferris State 25 years ago as an assistant director of communications, he quickly established himself as one of the hardest-working and professional SIDs in the industry. While sports communications can be a revolving door, Rob has remained at Ferris State, eventually taking over as communications director. In a profession where the job is never done, Rob has always put the student-athletes first, presented FSU in the most-positive light, and provided a great voice to GLIAC radio and streaming broadcasts. 

He is a helpful resource for SIDs at other schools and a wonderful host to visiting teams. We are proud of how Rob represents his university and the GLIAC, and thank him for his hard work during the past 25 years."

Sandy Gholston, Ferris State Communications news services/social media manager: "Rob is the consummate sports communications professional, investing countless hours spotlighting Ferris State University’s student-athletes and coaches. Beyond the everyday tasks, rigor and sacrifices of SID work, Rob has been our play-by-play voice for many of Ferris State’s greatest athletic achievements, including four national championships featuring his legendary descriptions and calls people know and love. In various capacities, I am blessed to have worked alongside Rob, an amazing teammate, for so many years and unforgettable moments."

Jeff Weiss, Wayne State University senior associate athletic director for media relations: "Rob Bentley is one the hardest-working SIDs around. On basketball game days, he not only serves as the radio play-by-play broadcaster but he also does the inputting in StatCrew for all the in-game stats. In our business cross-over usually lasts a week or two but with the success of his teams, his cross-over season is usually a month long."



Bentley in looking at his 25 years in athletic communications…
I've been blessed to be in this profession for 25 years and work with so many outstanding colleagues and friends. I've also been fortunate to work at such a great institution and with exceptional coaches and staff that value the impact and importance of our work and respect the demands placed on this profession.

I owe a great deal of thanks to all of those who have been on my staff over the years from full-time assistants to students, interns and volunteers who help in so many areas. Most importantly, I'm thankful to have such a supportive wife and two daughters who've been there every step of the way.
 
His advice to others in college sports communications…
Working in collegiate athletics and in the sports information/communications profession is not easy. The profession has changed significantly since I began working at Ferris State 25 years ago and it continues to evolve. I'd encourage those who are interested in the field to continually find ways to grow and learn from those who have been in the profession and invested so much time and energy. The demands are not easy, but the impact of our work is incredible. There is not a better group of people than those who work in this field and it's an honor to be part of that group.