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. 

Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to individuals who have served at least 25 years in the athletics communications profession (as of July 2025) who are retiring or leaving the profession. Years of service vetted by the Special Awards Committee. 

Larry White – University of Alabama (retired)

Prior to his retirement from the University of Alabama in 2009, White played an important role in public relations for the Crimson Tide for some 25 years. He first came to Alabama in 1982 when there were only three people in the SID office. He was in charge of basketball and helped with football during Bryant's final season. He left in 1984 for a job at SMU, returning to Alabama in 1988. He was named the school's sports information director in 1988, then took the title of associate AD for media relations in 1997. One of the highlights of his 25 years at Alabama was the 1992 football national championship under Gene Stallings.

Following his return from a stint in military service in Vietnam, White began his athletics communication career in the early 1970s as a student assistant to Keith Prince at Louisiana Tech. He later covered Tech athletics for the Ruston Daily Leader and the Shreveport Journal before serving in sports information roles at the Southland Conference, LSU, SMU and Alabama.


 

Greg Seitz, Jacksonville State University Director of Athletics, CSC 25-Year Award (2019): "Larry White’s impact on college athletics communications is immeasurable, and this recognition is a testament to his dedication, professionalism, and lasting contributions to the industry. His career at Alabama and beyond set a standard for excellence, and his commitment to telling the stories of student-athletes and programs with integrity and passion has left an indelible mark — making him truly deserving of this Lifetime Achievement Award."

Claude Felton, Georgia Loran Smith Senior Associate Athletic Director (retired), CSC Hall of Famer (2001), 25-Year Award (2002), Arch Ward Award (2004), Lifetime Achievement Award (2025): "I started at Georgia in 1979 and Larry began at Alabama in 1982 so we sort of grew up together in major college sports information and had many occasions to cross paths along the way. He was always respected by the coaches and athletes and developed remarkable relationships with the media. And many times, had ideas which I was happy to 'steal' from him. 

When he retired in 2009, Jimmy Smothers of the The Gadsden Times penned a column on Larry, one part of which said: ‘Off the field, he sat with my family when I was ill; was a pallbearer when my wife died; an inspiration when I needed him; a fishing companion and good friend. On the field, as the Tide’s sports information director, he was tops. It was always a pleasure to cover Alabama’s sporting events because of things he did to make my job easier.’

Larry is a worthy recipient of any recognition that comes his way."

Bud Ford, Tennessee Media Relations Director (retired), CSC Hall of Famer (2001), 25-Year Award (1991), Arch Ward Award (2006), Lifetime Achievement Award (2012): "Larry White was a consummate professional in the field of media relations. He understood that his job was not only to be of service to his school but also to facilitate the needs and requests of the media that covered Alabama sporting events. Promoting and helping were "old school" traits that served him well as an SID. He was highly respected by his peers in the Southeastern Conference and a vast array of local and national media as well. Larry never sought recognition for himself in his working experience, the same principle in his service to our country as a marine in Vietnam. Ready and willing to serve upon request."



Charlie Fiss, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association Communications/Historian, CSC Hall of Famer (2017), CSC 25-Year Award (2019): "I have always said that Larry White was the most experienced communications director in the land. Throughout his career, he set a shining example in everything he touched, ranging from event management to crisis management and daily office operations. Those working with Larry at all levels of our profession learned so much by simply watching him deal with the news media. More importantly, he has served as a great mentor to young people by providing them with special opportunities and astute guidance. He was all this and more to me in my career and growth as a communications director."

Wright Waters, Sunbelt Conference Commissioner (retired): "I think the world of Larry White. If I were in the position again to need to hire an SID or publicist, Larry would be at the top of the list. He can get more done with less fanfare than anyone I’ve ever known, and get it done right. He didn’t care about who was getting the credit, he just wanted it done the right way. I love him."

White looking back on his memorable career…
"Much of what I have learned professionally can be attributed to the former commissioner of the Southland Conference, the late Dick Oliver and the late Paul Manasseh, LSU's long-time Hall of Fame Sports Information Director. Dick hired me for my first job in college athletics and Paul brought me to LSU. Both taught me so much about athletic communications, and life in general.

It was such an honor to work with so many great athletes, administrators and co-workers throughout my career. It was those people who made my day-to-day work so enjoyable and easy."