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 2026) who are retiring or leaving the profession. Years of service vetted by the Special Awards Committee. Members may self-nominate for this award.

Ray Simmons — University of Southern Indiana Director of Athletic Communications
 

“It is an honor to be recognized for my work in this CSC Lifetime Achievement award. So much of my life has centered around my wife and the work I've done in this field at USI. I took over for a student SID at a Division II in 1989 as a one-man shop and have been at USI for more than half of the University's existence. The shop has grown to an office of four full-time staff members of a Division I program and I am immensely proud of that accomplishment and what I have built.” — Ray Simmons, 2026 CSC Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

Ray Simmons was named director of athletic communication at the University of Southern Indiana in August 1989. Simmons, who has worked in the athletic communications field for more than 40 years, has also worked at Florida International University (1988–89) and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (1985–88, undergraduate student assistant).

Simmons has been media coordinator for six NCAA Division II basketball Elite Eights and two Division II cross country national championships during his tenure at USI. The 1988 SIUE graduate and 2013 CSC 25-Year Award recipient served as chair of the CSC NCAA legislation liaison committee for five years (2001–05), as an at-large representative on the College Division Management Advisory Committee (2016–18), and as a member of the charity committee (2006–07). He also served two terms as a member of the inaugural D2SIDA Board of Directors (2006–12), authoring the board’s constitution.

Simmons and his wife, Vicki, reside in Evansville.
 

Roy Pickerill, Kentucky Wesleyan College SID Emeritus, CSC Hall of Famer and past recipient of three CSC Special Awards: “If you looked in the dictionary for the definition of a true sports communications professional, Ray would be the answer. He is a man of integrity, commitment and dedication with a thirst for knowledge and a burning desire to see others succeed.”

Jon Mark Hall, University of Southern Indiana Vice President and Director of Athletics: “Ray Simmons has been the consummate professional at the University of Southern Indiana. During his long tenure, he has been part of national championship seasons, a transition from Division II to Division I and seen many student-athletes have academic and athletic success. Through all of the great times and occasional difficult moments, Ray has always shown up ready to work and done what is best for USI. His preparation for events was second to none and we have never had to say 'is our athletic communications staff ready?' Ray's career at USI makes him worthy of this outstanding recognition.”