College Sports Information Directors of America

Rising Star Award
Presented annually to College Sports Communicators members in the University Division (NCAA DI) and in the College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, Canadian institutions) – with 10 years of service or less whose work at their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics-affiliated association and service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession make that individual a "rising star" in athletics communications. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.

Dani Gariglio – Davidson College Director of Creative Services 
Rising Star Award (University Division)

Aptly receiving a 2025 CSC Rising Star Award, Dani Gariglio has ascended the leadership ranks at Davidson College. She joined the Davidson Athletics staff in 2020 as an assistant director of athletic communications, was promoted to associate director in July, 2022 and then to Director of Creative Services in July 2024.

Gariglio is responsible for the communication efforts for the Davidson's men's basketball, volleyball and lacrosse programs, manages the department's main social media channels, and oversees the athletic communications student-worker staff.

A leader among creatives in college sports, Gariglio grew the women's basketball social media accounts by 200 percent in her first three years at Davidson while landing the lacrosse team on Skullsparks' top-50 NCAA women's lacrosse programs and earning Davidson Athletics' main account, @DavidsonWildcat, a 109 out of 150 ranking across all Division I college athletic departments on social media.

An active member of CSC, Gariglio previously served as the Chair of the Young Professionals Committee and is the director of new media for CSC's Academic All-America® Core Committee. During the 2022-23 academic year, Gariglio received a CSC 30 Under 30 honor and was named Support Staff Member of the Year during the athletic department's annual end of the year banquet.

Prior to joining the Davidson staff, Gariglio spent two years as Concordia University Chicago's athletic communications graduate assistant. She began her career as a sports information assistant at Union College in Schenectady, NY.  

A former college student-athlete, Gariglio received a bachelor's degree in journalism in 2017 from the University of Rhode Island and later earned her MBA from Concordia-Chicago in 2020. At Rhode Island, Gariglio was a four-year starting center fielder for the University's softball team, serving as team captain in her last two seasons. 



 

Shane Donaldson, University of Rhode Island associate AD, communication and new media: "Sometimes you know the moment you meet somebody that they are going to do special things in life. That's Dani. From the time we met during her freshman year at Rhode Island, it was clear that she was destined for a good life.

The specific path that grabbed her was sports information, and she quickly grasped how every aspect of being an SID influences every aspect of an entire athletic department. No job was ever too small. While most folks are willing to do a task, when appropriate, Dani would follow up and ask why things happened the way they did. As much as she loved the SID work, she truly loved understanding the mechanism that is college athletics, and how an athletic communicator can impact that world. 

She has the fundamental skill set of an old-school SID while simultaneously being blessed with the creative mind and ability of the new wave that is more apparent today. She is a true leader in the industry today.    

What makes her truly special is her kind heart. Dani cares about everyone around her. She graduated from URI eight years ago, and we still talk and text on a regular basis. She may list me as a mentor, but that relationship changed a long time ago. She is a trusted friend and somebody who makes the world around her a better place."

Lindy Brown, Duke University senior associate director of communications: "Dani is one of College Sports Communicators' bright, young stars. I was fortunate to meet her in 2018 while she was at Concordia University Chicago and I could tell from the beginning that she was destined for great things in our profession.
 
Her drive to get better, learn and grow in this profession is impressive. Since arriving at Davidson in 2020, Dani has been promoted twice and has taken the Wildcat social media accounts to new levels. She is very well-respected by her peers, media and is a wonderful mentor for young people entering our business. I am excited to see what the future holds for her either at Davidson or wherever else she ends up in the future."



On receiving a Rising Star Award…
I am truly honored to be recognized by CSC with the 2025 Rising Star Award and humbled to work alongside some of the hardest-working people in college athletics. I've been extremely fortunate to find exceptional mentors and build meaningful friendships in this industry; without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm also incredibly lucky to have the most supportive fiancée, family and friends, who have sacrificed time with me and continuously supported me as I continue to pursue my dreams. 

Reflecting on her professional career to date…
"Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all."
 
When I think of my career up until this point, I can't help but think of this quote. From New York, to Chicago, to a small postcard town in North Carolina, athletic communications has brought me to new homes and taken me to beautiful places all over the world – Prague, Portugal, the Bahamas. I feel truly blessed to work in a field, and on a campus, where I feel valued, trusted and empowered to be myself every single day. Helping tell the stories of amazing student-athletes, coaches and administrators has been the honor of a lifetime."
 
Gariglio's insights and message to young sports communicators…
When you put people first, great things happen. Build trust with your coaches, with your colleagues, with your student-athletes and the sky is the limit. 
 
Always be open to finding solutions, even when it feels like there may be none. Optimism is the best trick you can have up your sleeve.