FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
College Sports Communicators (CSC), a national association for strategic, creative and digital communicators across intercollegiate athletics, announced today a change in leadership on the organization’s Executive Board for its 2025-26 membership year, which runs from August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026. Purdue University’s
Patrick Crawford has assumed the role of President for the current membership year, succeeding
Mary Beth Challoner.
Challoner accepted the gavel as president in June at CSCUnite25 in accordance with CSC bylaws and consistent with CSC’s historical leadership rotation. However, based on a career transition, Challoner no longer meets the criteria for executive board service, specifically the requirement to be an active member of the organization and working within college athletics at the beginning of the CSC membership year.
In adherence with its Bylaws, the CSC Board initiated a transition in leadership for the role of president as well as enacted protocols for filling other board positions made vacant by the transition. CSC Bylaws are published on the organization’s website and are available by clicking on this link:
CSC Bylaws
“Mary Beth Challoner has been a tremendous leader for our organization throughout her board tenure,” CSC Past-President
Kevin Trainor said. “While I regret that she is no longer eligible to serve as CSC president for the upcoming CSC membership year, I am deeply appreciative of the longtime service MB has provided to CSC and our profession.”
“As leaders within CSC, we have an obligation to serve our membership by adhering to our organization’s Bylaws. I am grateful for the thoughtful and prudent leadership demonstrated by my fellow board members, Executive Director
Jason Yaman and Secretary
Jeff Hodges in moving our organization forward, consistent with established principles. Even as we make this transition, I have no doubt that CSC will continue to grow and prosper under the leadership of President Patrick Crawford.”
“College Sports Communicators has benefited greatly from many great leaders, communicators and people who have helped the organization continually reach new heights,” said Crawford. “Mary Beth has been one of those individuals in our organization’s history, making a remarkable impact. I am fortunate to be following in the footsteps of recent leaders such as John Paquette, Kevin and MB, who have set a worthy standard to pursue. This upcoming year will be an exciting one for CSC as we continue to bolster the positive momentum of the organization and its membership.”
Challoner has served on the CSC Executive Board since 2020-21, with two years as a college division representative before being elected as Third Vice President for the 2022-23 academic year. She was the recipient of the 2025 CSC Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award.
Additional changes to the Executive Board include The Ivy League’s
Matt Panto moving up to First Vice President, while
Katie Gonzales of Illinois Wesleyan will ascend to the Second Vice President position. Consistent with CSC Bylaws, the CSC Executive Board will appoint a Third Vice President for the organization at a future date.
“I want to thank CSC and the Board for the opportunity to lead this great organization - an organization that has given me so much,” said Challoner. “I appreciate their empathy and understanding during this time of transition. While I am terribly disappointed not to be able to continue as President, I support CSC's constitution and the application of its bylaws. Having worked with Patrick Crawford for the last three years, I know the forward progress and positive momentum will continue without a missed step. CSC is in great hands.”
About CSC
College Sports Communicators is the premier membership association for all strategic, creative and digital professionals working in intercollegiate athletics across all levels for colleges, universities and conferences across the United States and Canada. CSC provides year-round leadership, community, professional development/education, recognition and advocacy for its 4,700 members. Founded in 1957 as the College Sports Information Directors of America, the organization rebranded in 2022 to position itself as a more inclusive organization for communicators in all types of roles and to lead an industry change where strategic and creative professionals are more aligned. CSC’s signature work includes the annual CSC Unite convention each June and the administration of the prestigious Academic All-America® program and Hall of Fame. Since 1952, more than 44,000 of the world’s most elite student-athletes have been recognized with Academic All-America status in all sports.