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. 

Jeff Conrad — University of Houston Assistant Athletics Director for Communications

Jeff Conrad has served as University of Houston assistant athletics director for communications since May 2017. He joined the Cougars athletic staff in September 2001 and moved into the athletic communications director’s position in February 2008 prior to his current role. He is the primary contact for men's basketball and men's and women's golf while assisting with football.

Prior to joining UH, Conrad served three years at Louisiana-Lafayette, the last two as the SID. During his time with the Cajuns, he oversaw the publicity efforts of all 16 intercollegiate sports and was the primary contact for football, men's basketball and baseball. Among his career highlights was serving as baseball contact for the Cajun team that advanced to the NCAA College World Series for the first time in school history.

After graduating from college, Conrad worked as a graduate assistant at Louisiana-Lafayette during the 1995-96 year and was a metro reporter with the Alexandria Daily Town Talk in Alexandria, Louisiana, for two years.

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, he received his bachelor's degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in communications from Centenary College in 1995 where he was a sports information undergraduate student assistant.

He is married to the former Kristy Risner, a 1995 Academic All-American in softball, 1995 NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Louisiana, and 2005 inductee into the Centenary Athletics Hall of Fame. They have two sons, Tyler and Nathan, and live in Montgomery.

David Bassity, Atlanta Falcons Vice President for Football Communications: "I can say without a doubt that Jeff Conrad truly is one-of-one. His oversized heart and the loyalty he has to those he works with and the University of Houston are evident in everything he does. His professionalism, dedication and ability to serve with care allow so many to put their trust in him and has resulted in many life-long friendships, even for those students who have endured a late-night comma education session from Jeff. I was fortunate to call Jeff a coworker for seven years and even more fortunate now to call him one of my best friends. If I had to deliver one message to Jeff, it would be his own words that grace so many of his emails, ‘Thanks and take care.’"

Matt Dunaway, Mississippi State University Director of Communications (Men’s Basketball): "Congratulations to Jeff, a most deserving recipient of the CSC 25-Year Award. His work ethic, his integrity and his passion for the people and for the programs that he’s worked with have been a driving force behind his successful career at the University of Houston. I’m extremely grateful for Jeff’s mentorship which began 20 years ago when I walked in the door as an intern at UH. He taught me numerous lessons and showed me what it took to be successful in our profession. There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I’m today without his mentorship. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher and a great friend to not only myself but to so many throughout your career at Houston."

Conrad on his 25+ years in the profession…
"It’s hard for me to believe that I have worked for this long in our wonderful profession. It seems like just yesterday I was running around Centenary College as an undergraduate, not understanding the first thing I was doing…but having fun nonetheless.

It is always an honor and a pleasure to work as part of any team, and I have been grateful to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fellow support staff members through the years. As Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson reminds his teams every season…it’s not about the destination; it’s the journey.

While our profession has changed in so many ways since I started in January 1993, I have been on a wonderful journey in college athletics, met so many wonderful people along the way and been a part of so many amazing events. I am grateful for all my bosses, co-workers and students who have shaped me into what I am today. I would not have made it without you all."

Conrad’s professional development tips…  
Plan ahead and work as far in advance as you can on all events and projects. I would rather sit around and be bored for two hours because I am prepared before a game than be running around and working on a million things 30 minutes before an event.

As you make your plans in all things, be prepared and ready to adapt and adjust on the fly. Your best-laid plans may have to be completely rewritten based on a coach’s or administrator’s decision that morning. But don’t worry… You’ve got this. You are strong enough to be flexible.

The power of relationships in college athletics…
It really is about the journey. Always take time to enjoy the brothers and sisters in the support staff trenches with you on your teams as you move through a season. More than anything else, it is the relationships you make with those people that you will remember for the rest of your life.