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.

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Achievement Award Recipients

2025
College Division
Dain McKee – Middlebury College
University Division
Mike Cihon – Bowling Green State

2024
College Division
Patrick Rydeen – Concordia University, St. Paul
University Division
Heather Brown – Ohio Valley Conference (posthumous)

2023
College Division
Brandon Hensley – University of the Cumberlands
University Division
Susan Lax – University of Kentucky

2022
College Division
Jason Bryden – Washington College (Md.)
University Division
Doug Tammaro – Arizona State

2021
College Division
Dan Surdam – SUNY Cortland
University Division
Brian Mason – Wisconsin

2020
College Division
Dan McDonnell – Southern Indiana
University Division
Kara Fisher – Michigan State

2019
College Division
Jill Guise – Johns Hopkins
University Division
Lindy Brown – Duke

2018
College Division
Shane Herrmann – North Alabama
University Division
Kent Lowe – LSU

2017
College Division
Dave Reed – Colorado College
University Division
Chris Masters – Big Ten Conference

2016
College Division
Mindy Brauer – MIT
University Division
Dave Lohse – North Carolina

2015 
College Division
Tom Nelson – St. Cloud State
University Division
Diane Nordstrom – Wisconsin