Return to 2025 Convention Home Page
Photos from Day 4 of #CSCUNITE25
As #CSCUnite25 comes to a close, the CSC Executive Board of Directors and staff would like to thank the more than 650 attendees, as well as our corporate partners and exhibitors, for their participation at our annual event. We congratulate all our award recipients and thank our speakers and moderators for their insights. Thanks to our partners whose generous support helped make this all possible.
Day 4 at CSC Unite 2025 came as a time of reflection, a time of celebration, and a time to focus on the future.
The World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando saw over 650 attendees join together to collaborate, connect, and celebrate their accomplishments. CSC hosted two awards ceremonies, recognizing 149 total individuals for their achievements in the field, including our newest inductees into the CSC Hall of Fame and CSC Academic All-America Hall of Fame. There were 55 educational panels and 117 total events – many of which were standing-room only – with 154 different speakers. Across numerous receptions, social events, and corporate partner showcases, attendees were given the opportunity to socialize and deepen their connections with their fellow communicators.
The morning’s sessions equipped athletics communicators and administrators with tools to deal with changing demographics in the field and to provide support for under-supported communities. “Working parent: If it’s important to you, it’s important to me” saw panelists give advice on how parents can manage stress while balancing home and work life, and “Bridging the generational gap: The need for cross-generational conversations and actions at work” discussed the urgency in understanding the unique skills, values, and expectations that different generations present in the modern workplace. In Visibility and victory: LGBTQIA+ in athletics, presented by the CSC Pride group, attendees broke into roundtables and heard from personal experiences and real-life stories that emphasized the need to create and foster a sense of belonging for LBGTQIA+ identifying students within their athletic department.
Educational programming covered topics such as organizing content during cross over seasons, engaging audiences as a broadcaster or public address announcer, and thriving while covering a non-winning program. In a CSC/NAAC collaborative session, panel members discussed the importance of having a plan in place for crisis situations and the critical relationship between communications and compliance offices.
The convention concluded with the CSC Special Awards luncheon, a final time for attendees to commemorate those whose accomplishments transcended expectations and rose above belief. The final event, hosted by ACC Deputy Commissioner and CSC Hall-of-Famer Amy Yakola, saw established authorities rewarded for their constancy and breakout stars validated for their innovations.
The 25-Year Award, CSC 30 Under 30, President’s Awards, and CSC Inclusion Fellowship classes were each presented on stage, as well as the following individual award winners:
In addition, CSC’s own Barb Kowal won the 2025 Distinguished Service Award, a surprise portion of the awards luncheon that honored the longtime CSC staff member, Hall of Famer, and multi-award winner, who dedicated her life to promoting the stories and careers of those around her.
The program concluded with the passing of the gavel, where Kevin Trainor gave the closing remarks of his presidency before turning over the stage to 2025-26 CSC President Mary Beth Challoner.
“Stay involved, invest in the next generation,” Trainor said. “We need you now more than ever.”
When Challoner took the stage, she looked toward the future, emphasizing the essential role of the organization that will remain.
“Communicators do more than tell stories,” she said. “We preserve legacies.”
Check out photos from today's events:
Gallery: (6-11-2025) #CSCUnite25 Day 4 Sights & Sounds
Back to Top of Page