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.

Katie Green – NAIA Senior Manager of Athletics Communications 
Rising Star Award (College Division)

As a ninth-year athletic communications professional, Katie Green continues to rise through the NAIA ranks with excellence and energy.

Green has been a member of the NAIA communications staff since 2017. She was promoted to senior manager of athletic communications in 2023. She is the NAIA National Office's primary communications contact for 12 sports, coordinating all media coordination and streaming for those sports' respective national championships.

As a NAIA organizational liaison, Green is an ex-officio member of  the NAIA-SIDA Board of Directors. 

Green is also the department's liaison to the NAIA's National Administrative Council, coordinates raters and voters for the NAIA's Player of the Week programs, and assists with other awards efforts. 

Prior to joining the NAIA staff, Green spent 2016-17 as NCAA Division I University of Louisiana-Monroe’s assistant director of athletic communications. She also spent one year (2015-16) as a graduate assistant at her alma mater, Missouri Baptist University.

Outside of the athletic communications office, Green is in her seventh year as an age group coach for the Legacy Juniors Volleyball Club in Kansas City, Missouri.


 

Nick Phillips, Wright State University Assistant Athletics Director for Communications: "Anyone who has had the pleasure of working with Katie knows that she embodies everything that is right within our profession. Receiving the CSC Rising Star Award is truly a well-deserved honor for her, and it’s the perfect recognition of her outstanding contributions. I had the privilege of hiring Katie to her first full-time position, and from day one, her passion and positivity for our work were evident, even during some challenging times within the department. Despite being new to the profession, she quickly became someone I could always rely on. I could not be more proud of Katie and the incredible work she has done throughout her career and I look forward to watching her continue to achieve great things for many years to come."

Brad Cygan, PrestoSports Director of Marketing / former NAIA Director of Athletics Communications: "Katie is one of the most dedicated athletics communications professionals that I have had the pleasure of working with. I'm thrilled Katie's tireless efforts are being recognized by her peers and colleagues as one of the best in the industry. Always committed to going the extra mile for the betterment of the student-athlete, Katie deserves to be praised nationally for what she does on a daily basis, putting her heart and soul into her work."

Cindy Potter, Columbia College (Mo.) Director of Athletics / 2025 CSC Hall of Fame / CSC Past President / CSC Bud Nangle Ethics Award (2022) / CSC College Division Rising Star Award (2008) / CSC Warren Berg Award (2020): "I know that in this line of work things can get overwhelming and stressful, but when you love what you do, it’s all worth it and you couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Katie is the epitome of loving what she does, and it shows. She has found her niche at the National Office and has become a respected and valued member that all NAIA institutions look to in the area of communications."

Green on being recognized with a 2025 Rising Star Award…
I am honored to be among this year’s recipients of the CSC Rising Star Award. It is fitting that Cindy Potter is going into the CSC Hall of Fame the same year because she was - and is - the trailblazer in athletics communications that I look up to. She made being a woman in the athletic communications world normal for me. Because of that, the quote, “if you can see her, you can be her,” means so much more to me.

Her shoutout to those who have assisted her along the way…
I had no idea what sports information or athletics communication was until my sport marketing and communication professor introduced me to it. That Missouri Baptist professor pushed me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to Brad Cygan, the sports information director at the time, because of a class project that I did. Brad gave me a foundation in athletic communications and allowed me the freedom to be creative with the content for my sports. I am also grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Nick Phillips, Chad Waller and Alan Grosbach as I transitioned to different places throughout my early career.

I can only hope to take what I have learned from those in my network and pass it along to those following behind me.