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. 

Tom Gilbert — Kansas State University Director of Men’s Basketball Communications

Tom Gilbert is in his 26th year as a member of the Kansas State Athletics communications office, including his 22nd as the primary contact for the men’s basketball program. In addition to his duties with the men’s basketball program, he supervises the assistant in charge of publicity of the cross country and track and field, women’s rowing and women’s tennis programs while coordinating the football stat crew for home games. He previously worked four years (1999-2003) with the Wildcat women’s volleyball and baseball programs.

Gilbert has been cited a number of times for excellence in publications by the College Sports Communicators, including seven Top-10 citations for the men’s basketball guide, five Top-2 finishes for the football yearbook and five Top-5 mentions for the men’s basketball game notes. He won “Best in the Nation” distinction for both his 2021-22 men’s basketball media guide and game notes.

A native of Bostwick, Ga., he earned his bachelor’s degree in sports and mass communications from Furman University in 1998, where he spent two years working as a student assistant in the sports information office.

Fran Fraschilla, ESPN College Basketball Analyst: "Tom Gilbert Is one of the best directors of men’s basketball communications in the country. He is an incredible resource, not only to Kansas State, but also to all of us in the media who work with him. In addition to being great at his job, Tom is also one of the best people in the business."

Kenny Lannou, Kansas State University Senior Executive Associate AD: "Tom is a loyal professional who always puts others first. His work is extremely thorough, and media who have worked with Tom will never enter a contest unprepared. K-State is fortunate to have Tom, and we congratulate a great colleague and friend on 25 years in the profession."

Bryan Messerly, West Virginia University Associate Athletics Director/Communications, CSC 25-Year Award (2022): "Tom continues to be one of the best men’s basketball SIDs in our profession. He is one of the most organized, detailed-oriented SIDs that I know. When you have a road game as a visiting SID at K-State, it almost feels like you are a spectator because Tom has everything taken care of - days in advance of the game until you get on the bus leaving the arena. A few years back, the Big 12 Conference ‘radio voices’ started giving an award to the best men’s basketball SID in the league each year. Tom was the inaugural winner of the award, and in my opinion, he could win it every year if they wanted."

Wyatt Thompson, Voice of the Kansas State Wildcats: "Tom is as good as it gets in his profession. He has been recognized by his peers many times, and in my 23-year stint at K-State I have lost count of the times radio and TV crews compliment his detailed work with his game releases and attention to detail when it comes to Wildcat and Big 12 basketball. Thanks to the College Sports Communicators for recognizing Tom’s talent and passion for college basketball."



Gilbert on his career…
"I have been incredibly blessed in my life, not only by my family, but with this wonderful profession. As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work in sports. I remember my parents got me an electric typewriter one Christmas and I used to write my own stories after watching games. Who would've thought that would turn into what I get to do now? It's amazing. 

I'm extremely blessed not only by the people who gave me a chance when I was younger: from Hunter Reid and Teri Brinkman at Furman; to Doug Vance and Dean Buchan at Kansas; to Kent Brown, Doug Dull, and Gary Bowman when I first started at K-State; and now, to be surrounded by such extremely talented individuals every day in my current position. From our video, photography and creative staff to my fellow SIDs Kenny Lannou, Ryan Lackey, Randy Peterson and Jordyn Ballard who are not only excellent at their craft and but good, caring people who are about the right things. 

There are not a lot of people who are excited to get up every day and get to do what I get to do. I appreciate everyone who has helped me along the way in this journey."