Each year, we solicit nominations for the College Sports Communicators Special Awards program as we honor those in the membership and outside the membership with recognition for distinguished service, work and achievement. Our Special Awards are presented annually at awards celebration events during our annual conventions.
About Special Awards Nominations
Special Awards nominations are open to CURRENT YEAR CSC dues-paying members ONLY. Click here for information about purchasing membership.
Refer to the
information below which outlines all of our awards and the criteria for each award.
To Nominate:
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Click the blue CSC Member Login button and log in with your CSC credentials.
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After successful login, you will land on your Dashboard within the system.
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Did you previously submit a Special Awards nomination? If you have an existing entry to the Special Awards, you'll see it listed as a Draft submission on your Dashboard.
Click the Edit button to begin making the required changes.
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If you are making a new entry to the Special Awards, you'll be able to select it from the dropdown of available programs, and click the blue Create button to get started.
You can save and go back to an unfinished nomination in "draft form" as much as you want; be sure to finalize your nomination when you are ready.
Self Nominations
Self nominations are welcome for the 25-Year Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Awards ONLY. NO OTHER SELF-NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Please review the criteria and make sure you are recognized!
Full-Time Definition
For the purposes of the Special Awards program, full-time employment is defined as:
- Someone who is considered a full-time employee by the institutions, conferences or organizations where employed over your career;
- This may include post-graduate internships and post-graduate assistantships;
- Must have maintained membership in College Sports Communicators for the majority of their career and meet the years of service for each award.
Questions about the Special Awards program?
Contact:
Jeff Hodges, Special Awards Committee Chair
College Sports Communicators Secretary
(256) 765-4595
sportsinformation@una.edu
Will Roleson
College Sports Communicators Associate Executive Director
(317) 490-2095
will@cscommunicators.com
Special Awards Features
Presented to members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics communications in intercollegiate athletics. Minimum 15 years in the profession. Voted on by current CSC Hall of Fame Members and the Special Awards Committee.
There are three categories for Hall of Fame nominations:
1. University Division (NCAA DI)
2. College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year colleges and Canadian/U Sports)
3. Veterans (Retirees/Deceased/Former members who have left the athletics communications profession).
All CURRENT professionals shall be nominated in the University and College Divisions, while all other nominees (retirees, deceased and those who have left the profession) shall be part of the Veterans nomination process.
Presented to members who have completed 25 years in the athletics communications profession (as of July, 2026).
Vetted and voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Members may self-nominate for this award.
How do I calculate my 25-year service to College Sports Communicators?
To receive a 25-year award at the annual CSC convention, you must have been in the athletics communications profession full time and/or an active member of the organization for 25 years, at the time of the annual June convention. Your 25-year total must be met by July 1.
Example: Thus if you started full-time work as of July 1, 2001, your 25 years would be completed in June of 2026 and you would receive the award this academic year — and be saluted with a feature spotlight leading up to the CSC UNITE26 Convention which takes place in June 2026 in Las Vegas. If you started in your full-time work in July-August-September 2001 (or beyond), you would complete 25 years in July-August-September 2026 (or beyond), and would receive your award at the 2027 CSC Unite convention.
Achievement Award
Presented annually to two College Sports Communicators members – one in the University Division (NCAA DI) and one in the College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, Canadian institutions) – currently serving in the role of an associate or assistant director in the athletics communications field who have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics communications and provided exceptional service to their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics affiliated association.
A nominee must have 10-or-more years of experience in the athletics communications profession and must have not served in the lead role overseeing an athletics communications office. This award is designed for an individual who has not been a recipient of any prestigious CSC major award (Arch Ward, Warren Berg, Hall of Fame) in their careers. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Presented annually to a CSC college division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, and Canadian institutions) member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college athletics communications, and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee. (Note: Nominees can be an active or retired member.)
Distinguished Service Award
Presented in appreciation for endless work and devotion to College Sports Communicators Executive Board of Directors. Note: this special award is presented by the Executive Board of Directors and is not an award in the general nomination category.
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.
Presented annually to an individual whose actions and commitment have furthered the meaning and reach of the Academic All-America® Teams Program and/or the student-athlete while promoting the values of education and academics. Voted on by the Executive Board of Directors.
Presented to a College Sports Communicators member who displays sound judgment and unusual courage in guiding his/her institution, conference office or collegiate athletics-affiliated association through a difficult public relations situation. Note: Voted on by the Special Awards Committee only when worthy candidates are nominated.
Presented annually to an individual who is a pioneer in the field of athletic communications who has mentored and helped improve the level of diversity within College Sports Communicators. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Presented to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America® Program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete. Nominations solicited by, and voted on, by the Academic All-America® Core Committee.
Presented annually to a College Sports Communicators member for civic involvement, community service and accomplishments within and/or outside of the athletics communications profession. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Presented to a College Sports Communicators member or an individual outside of CSC who embodies the ideals of intercollegiate athletics by showing ethics, integrity, compassion and/or bravery in a singular act or under an unusual or stressful personal or professional situation. Note: Voted on by the Special Awards Committee only when worthy candidates are nominated.
Presented to an individual selected by the reigning College Sports Communicators President. Introduced in 2014-15, this award serves to honor exemplary volunteer service and leadership within the organization's committee structure in support of programs that benefit members.
Rising Star Award
Presented annually to College Sports Communicators members in the University Division (NCAA DI) and in the College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, Canadian institutions) – with 10 years of service or less whose work at their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics-affiliated association and service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession make that individual a "rising star" in athletics communications. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Presented annually to a current College Sports Communicators member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college athletics communications, and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Awards Open To Those Outside College Sports Communicators Membership
Presented to an individual who, or an organization which, has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and has been a loyal supporter of College Sports Communicators and its mission. Voted on by the Executive Board of Directors when worthy candidates are nominated.
Presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the media to the field of intercollegiate athletics. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee. Nominee must be a member of the media.
Voting
Once the nominations close each January, the Special Awards voting process begins in December. The awards are announced in late January, and then spotlight profiles on all recipients - posted on our CSC communications channels - are then produced throughout the winter and spring for each honoree.
Who is eligible to vote?
- Special Awards Committee (for all awards, including College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame)
- College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame members (for Hall of Fame voting only)