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.

In March of 2014, the CoSIDA Board of Directors approved the naming of the award in honor of former Penn State athletic media relations professional Mary Jo Haverbeck, who was the first recipient of the Trailblazer honor. See more on the award naming HERE.

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Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award Recipients

2025   Scottie Rodgers – Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
2024   Barb Kowal – College Sports Communicators (CSC)
2023   Rob Knox – Thurgood Marshall College Fund
2022   April Emory – Formerly St. Paul's College, Elizabeth City State, Albany State
2021   Jessica Poole – Chicago State
2020   Sam Atkinson – Gallaudet 
2019   Dave Lohse – North Carolina
2018   Ann Bready King – The Sage Colleges
2017   Paul Carson – Toronto (retired)
2016   Tammy Boclair – Formerly of Vanderbilt
2015   Betsy Van Sickle – Marquette (retired)
2014   Edward Hill, Jr. – Howard
2013   Lawrence Fan – San José State
2012   Shelly Poe – Auburn
2011   Debby Jennings – Tennessee
2010   Christine Plonsky – Texas
2009   Rosa Gatti – ESPN
2008   Langston Rogers – Mississippi
2007   Anne Abicht – St. Cloud State
2006   Debbie Byrne – Old Dominion
2005   Bill Hamilton – South Carolina State
2004   Joyce Aschenbrenner – V Foundation
2003   June Stewart – Vanderbilt
2002   Collie J. Nicholson – Grambling State (retired)
2001   Mary Jo Haverbeck – Penn State (retired)