College Sports Information Directors of America

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. 

Sean Straziscar — NCAA Associate Director of Media Coordination & Statistics

Sean Straziscar got his start in athletic media relations at an early age when he worked as the acting sports information director at his alma mater, CSU Pueblo, during his senior year as a student in 1987. He then landed a job as an assistant SID at the United States Air Force Academy and stayed there until 1989. 

From there, he was off to the NCAA in November of 1989 and continued in that role until his retirement this summer.

Once part of the statistics department, Straziscar, is now an associate director of the media coordination and statistics staff,

In his role at the NCAA, he has compiled statistics for a variety of sports in all three divisions and has worked with media coordination at the (Division I) College World Series and served as the media coordinator at the Elite Eight and the former I-AA (now FCS) football championship. While his experience has been wide-ranging, he refined his daily work the past decade or so to align with Division III.

Straziscar received a 25-Year award from CSC in 2018. 

David Worlock, NCAA Director, Championships and Alliances, CSC Hall of Fame (2020), CSC 25-Year Award (2018): "Sean Straziscar has done it all in his 35+ years as a member of the NCAA's media coordination and statistics staff. From creating records books nearly from scratch, to overseeing and assisting with media operations at major championships like the Men's Final Four and Men's College World Series and serving as the day-to-day contact for several sports across all divisions, Sean has worked tirelessly to support the membership. More importantly, Sean has been an incredible leader, mentor, and friend to countless people within the athletics communications field. In fact, to one person in the profession, Sean is more than those things. He's a dad. His son, Trae, is a contractor for the NCAA's media coordination and statistics staff and it's evident the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. We congratulate Sean on his tremendous career in sports information at CSU Pueblo and the Air Force Academy, as well as his distinguished tenure at the NCAA."

Jim Wright, NCAA Media Coordination/Statistics (Retired), CSC Hall of Fame (2008), CSC Arch Ward Award (2003), CSC Lifetime Achievement Award (2013): "Thirty-six years ago Sean Straziscar joined the NCAA in Kansas City as a statistician. Since then, there have been dramatic changes in both college athletics and the national office, but one constant has remained: Sean's unwavering belief in the work of the staff and his dedication to helping institutions promote the student-athlete."

J.D. Hamilton, NCAA Assistant Director of Championships and Alliances, CSC Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award (2016): "I am so excited that CSC is presenting this honor to Sean, a well-deserved recognition. If you know Straz, this is the last thing he would think he deserves. That is what makes Straz the best, he did not work at the NCAA for 36 years for any honors or recognition. His wealth of NCAA knowledge and ability to help everyone in every aspect of our jobs, makes him the best! Straz is an icon at the NCAA and not only in our championships and alliances area, but he is also to the entire office, which is the greatest respect one can achieve. I am so incredibly lucky to call Sean a friend!"

Straziscar reflecting on his award-winning career…
"I consider myself very lucky to have landed and finished out my career at the NCAA. It's a great career if you never felt like the work you did wasn't work at all. Little did the NCAA know that I would've done this job for free – I truly do love my job."