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. 

Stephen Gorchov — Hofstra University Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Marketing and Communications

Stephen Gorchov is in his 25th year as a member of his alma mater’s office of athletic communications staff and serves as the senior associate director of athletics for marketing and communications. He was named Hofstra's associate director of athletics for communications in 2009 and held that role until November of 2024 before being elevated to his current role. 

Gorchov serves as the sport contact for Hofstra’s volleyball, men's basketball and women's lacrosse programs. He is also the team administrator for the men's golf program. 

As the main spokesperson for the Hofstra Department of Athletics, Gorchov oversees all social media platforms within the athletic department and manages GoHofstra.com and athletics-related Hofstra Sports Media (official streaming platform of Hofstra Athletics). 

He has received CSC (CoSIDA) publications national recognitions, and was honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) twice as a Grant Burger Media Award Winner for the top volleyball SID in the region.
  
As a Hofstra undergraduate, he was the men’s basketball team’s head manager under Butch van Breda Kolff and Jay Wright from 1992 through 1996, and the women’s volleyball team head manager in 1996 and 1997. 

During the 1997-98 academic year, Gorchov served as a marketing and ticket intern at Drexel University before returning to Hofstra in June 1998 to serve as an volleyball program administrative assistant before being named the assistant director of athletic communications in December of 1999.  

Sorelle Ineza, former Hofstra women’s basketball student-athlete, current NCAA Postgraduate Intern - Communications, Branding: "Stephen has played a huge part in my growth as a student-athlete at Hofstra and now as a young professional at the NCAA. From being one of my biggest supporters both on and off the basketball court, to showing me what it takes to be successful in the sports industry, he has helped me tremendously in every way possible. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for his mentorship, guidance, support but most importantly his belief in me, especially when I doubted myself. Even after graduating, I can still count on Stephen. He’s always a phone call away, ready with advice or encouragement. He is a blessing to everyone he encounters, and I’m incredibly grateful to have him in my corner!"

Rob Washburn, Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Senior Associate Commissioner-Communications: "Stephen is the consummate professional and a role model for everyone in the CAA who is getting started in the business. He has built strong relationships with the media and does a great job promoting Hofstra athletics. Stephen is also welcoming and accommodating to visiting schools and has done an excellent job of changing with the times to build Hofstra’s brand through social media and an enhanced broadcast department."

Rob Knox, Harford Community College Coordinator for Campus Communications, CSC Past President, Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award (2023), CSC Rising Star Award (2011): "When I landed my first Division I job as an SID at Coppin State, Stephen was one of the first people to support me. He always responded to my emails and returned my calls—no matter how many questions I had. His patience and encouragement made a meaningful impact on my career. A year later, we found ourselves working in the same conference as men's basketball contacts, and I always looked forward to collaborating with him. Stephen was consistently professional, easy to work with, and generous. I’ll never forget when I asked for two credentials in 2016 so a pair of students could shadow me—he didn’t hesitate. Today, one of those students works at ESPN, and the other at MSG. Stephen opened that door for them, and he didn’t have to. 

He’s personable, respected, and truly one of the giants of our profession. I’m a better communicator — and a better person — because I had the privilege of working alongside him."

On hitting the quarter century mark of professional service…
Reaching the 25-year milestone in athletic communications is more than just a career marker for me, it is a reflection of how much I have enjoyed telling the stories of Hofstra Athletics, witnessing the amazing victories of Pride teams, and the enjoyment of coming to work every day with an unwavering passion to work on behalf of our student-athletes, coaches, and teams. Over the years, I've had the privilege of witnessing incredible moments, building lasting relationships, and contributing to a field that constantly evolves. This milestone is a reminder of the impact we have — not just as storytellers, but as integral parts of the teams we support and the communities we serve. I thank all those who made this journey possible for me.

Sharing key professional development tips…

1. **Embrace Adaptability and Technology**: The world of college athletics is constantly evolving, and so is the landscape of communication. Stay ahead by embracing new technologies, social media platforms, and storytelling methods. Be open to learning new tools and software that can help you streamline your work, whether it's for live stats, multimedia content creation, or data analysis. The more adaptable you are, the more valuable you'll become in an ever-changing field. But most importantly, be incredibly strong in the areas of our profession that guide us on a daily basis.
2. **Build Relationships Across Departments**: Athletic communications is rarely a solo effort. Whether it’s coaches, athletes, or administrators, building strong relationships within your athletic department and across campus will make your job much easier and your work more impactful. Understand the goals of other departments and look for ways to collaborate. The more connected you are, the better you’ll be able to tell the stories that matter. This works both within your respective campus community and outside entities and other institutions.