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Thank You To Those Who Have Contributed To CoSIDA's $60 for 60th Anniversary Scholarship Program

Coinciding with CoSIDA’s 60th anniversary in 2017, the association embarked on a campaign to raise funds for its scholarship program by encouraging our members and others to donate $60 or more in honor of a mentor or someone close to them in the profession.

All contributions support the CoSIDA Phil Langan Graduate Internship Grant, designed to assist the communications/sports information offices of member institutions with funds to support the addition of a graduate internship. The grant is available only to communications/sports information offices without paid graduate or undergraduate interns.
 

6694
 


*Donations as of 12/4/17

Donation From In Honor of Message
Ed Given
Middle Tennessee/Western Kentucky
Haywood Harris
Tennessee (deceased)
I never asked Haywod for help or advice that I didn't receive in the most gracious and helpful manner. We were contemporaries in a way, but he became and SID several years before I did and was a most wonderful reservoir of experience and know-how.
John Paquette
Big East Conference
Bob Anderson
Northeast Louisiana
Bob hired me as a GA and gave me the opportunity to start my career. He gave me plenty of responsibility and was a tremendous mentor. I am forever grateful.
Nick Joos
Missouri
Tom Simons
Nebraska (retired)
Hired me as intern at University of Nebraska, and gave be a great opportunity to launch my career after graduating from Iowa State.
Nick Joos
Missouri
Chris Anderson
Nebraska
Gave me a tremendous opportunity to work closely with Husker football during its mid-1990s national championship run, will forever be grateful for her confidence in me.
Nick Joos
Missouri
Butch Henry
Iowa State (retired)
Hired me as a student assistant at Iowa State; grateful for the opportunity he provided me.
Nick Joos
Missouri
Kirk Hendrix & Dave Starr
President Triple AAA Indiana/Principal Financial Group–Dakotas
Kirk and Dave gave me incredible opportunities as a student assistant which helped launch my professional career.
Kevin Trainor
Arkansas
Charlie Fiss
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Like so many others, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Charlie Fiss for helping me get my foot in the door and providing me countless opportunities through the years. Each time I am around Charlie, I continue to learn more about our business, but most importantly how to engage in the lives of those around you. He is a Mentor, Encourager, Beatles lover, Sounding Board, the Consummate Pro, a CoSIDA Hall of Famer and of course a Lifelong Friend. Thank you Charlie!
Joe Browning
UNCW
Bob Condron
United States Olympic Committee
For so many years, Bob provided numerous CoSIDA members an opportunity to work the Olympic Games and experience the "thrill of victory." Thanks for everything you have done for me personally and for being a true friend of CoSIDA.
Justin Doherty
Wisconsin
Walter Doherty
Detroit (deceased)
My late father. He first introduced me to the profession by taking me to Michigan State when I was in high school to meet Nick Vista.
Justin Doherty
Wisconsin
Nick Vista
Michigan State (deceased)
Hired me as an incoming freshman to work in the SID office at Michigan State in 1984. Literally gave me my start in college athletics.
Andrew Shultz
Fiesta Bowl Committee
Shelly Poe
Auburn

Michael Fragale
West Virginia
I had the honor of working with both Shelly Poe & Michael Fragale when I was a student at West Virginia. They were both incredible mentors. Although I chose a career outside of sports, because of their influence, I remain active in the sports communications industry through my involvement with the Fiesta Bowl Committee. The highlight of my involvement was when I was able to work with them both again when they were in Arizona for our bowl games.
Doug Vance
CoSIDA
CoSIDA Staff
Will Roleson
Barb Kowal
Laurie Bollig
Beau White
In honor of CoSIDA Membership Recognition Week, I want to honor the CoSIDA Staff (Will, Barb, Laurie and Beau) for their meaningful influence in bettering the profession and tireless efforts in bringing quality programs and service to CoSIDA. Suffice it to say, they care deeply about our programs, our goals and our members. They provide great clarity and support for me and all of our leadership groups.
Rob Carolla
College Footbal 150th Anniversary
Barb Kowal
CoSIDA
Barb hired me as an inexperienced student-worker who didn't even know this profession existed. It led to lots of learning and 3 great years at UConn with countless wonderful memories. She taught all the students about the hard work needed for our jobs and how to do it the right way.
Jerry Emig
Ohio State
Steve Snapp
Ohio State (deceased)
Steve was a great mentor and a great friend. And he hired me three times!
Lawrence Fan
San José State
Doug Elgin
Missouri Valley Conference
As the SID at Lafayette College, Doug Elgin was instrumental in me getting an opportunity to interview for the La Salle College SID job.
Bud Ford
Tennessee (retired)
Haywood Harris
Tennessee (deceased)
 
Haywood Harris was one of the legends of the SEC as far as media relations. Served Tennessee from 1961 until his death in 2010. Hired me as first full time assistant in 1966 and whatever I was able to accomplish in my career was due to him. He was a member of CoSIDA Hall of Fame, Arch Ward Award winner and the State of Tennessee Hall of Fame. Tremendous writer who authored two books regarding UT football. Greatest skill was his ability to predict what the media response would be with sensitive releases and issues. He was the same from day-to-day. Solid in his values and a friend to all.
Jason Hendrix
DePaul
Al Weston
Georgia College
Whether Al realizes it or not, he has had such a profound impact on my career path. Al gave me an opportunity during my undergraduate days at GCSU that inspired the path I've been on the last 10 years. Without Al's guidance, example of leadership, & the willingness to give me a chance to learn and grow, I do not think I'd be where I am today. For that, I'm very thankful of Al and appreciate everything you've done in my life in the past, present, and future. Go Bobcats!
Ed Cassiere
Xavier University of Louisiana
Dan McDonald
Louisiana Lafayette
CoSIDA Hall of Famer Dan McDonald gave me my first full-time opportunity in the business at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (school's former name) in September 1986. I am forever grateful for that break which has led to 25-plus years in the profession. It has been a blessing to be a college sports publicist and to learn from talented mentors such as Dan, Nico Van Thyn and Bill Callahan.
Ed Cassiere
Xavier University of Louisiana
Bill Callahan
Missouri (deceased)
Bill Callahan, a CoSIDA Hall of Famer, hired me as a student assistant in the late 1970s. I learned plenty from him and assistants such as John Heisler (also a Hall of Famer) and Mark Fitzpatrick, and my time there confirmed that I wanted to stay involved in college athletics.
Ed Cassiere
Xavier University of Louisiana
Nico Van Thyn
Centenary (retired)
Nico was my primary mentor when I started in the journalism business. I had the privilege of working under him and learning from him at the Shreveport (La.) Times and on Centenary's basketball stats crew.
Mike Mobley
Georgia
Norm Reilly
Georgia/ECU/UAB
Norm taught countless student assistants – both in the SID business and other professions – qualities that made us better at our jobs. Most notably, his ability to present information in a clear and concise way and his attention to detail/proofreading were second to none. As a matter of fact, my greatest fear is that there is a typo in this message.
Dave Wohlhueter
Cornell (retired)
Ben Mintz
Cornell (deceased)
An old-timer, Ben was responsible for my early SID years at Ithaca College, and was a real mentor in how to get the job done in a low key method. He also got me an interview at Bucknell without an application, and I spent 10 great years there, returning to Ithaca with a wife and family to succeed Ben at Cornell. I salute you, Hall of Famer Ben Mintz.
Tim Allen
Big 12 Conference
Pat Quinn
Oklahoma State (retired)
Pat Quinn...Don Bryant...Bill Callahan...Glen Stone...Mike Moran...Harry Burrell...Johnny Keith...Don Baker...all wonderful SIDs but Pat may have been best day-to-day operation SID and had the first SID office to use a computer.
Tim Allen
Big 12 Conference
Glen Stone
Kansas State (deceased)
Glen was absolutely the best writing SID in history...taught me so, so much as a young student assistant and then Assistant SID. He was the best among some great Big Eight SIDs.
John Painter
Colgate
Jim Wright
NCAA Statistics Service (retired)
Jim loved his work, and that was infectious throughout the NCAA Statistics staff during my 11-year stay. He enjoyed nothing more than promoting great athletic achievement on campus through national stats recognition. OK, so he might have liked a Reds World Series triumph more. But then again, his favorite thing surely was his annual perch high atop Rosenblatt Stadium every May and June. It sure was a pleasure to work alongside the great Jungle Jim Wright.
John Painter
Colgate
Bud Ford
Tennessee (retired)
Bud set a great example by always, always, always doing what he believed was in the best interests of Tennessee Athletics. He saw the big picture. First as a student and then as an 11-year associate, I learned how to handle sticky situations, how to be a proper host and -- most of all -- how to have fun in the greatest profession in collegiate athletics. Americana Road Trip, anyone?!?! I was lucky to have been a small part of Bud Ford's 40-plus-year run.
Paul Just
Western Kentucky (retired)
Robert G. Cochran
Western Kentucky (deceased)
Bob Cochran was handled the sports information duties at WKU from the post-war 1940s to 1962. He also served as the school's dean of public affairs from the mid-1950s until his death in 1971. Bob a a real pro dedicated to his craft and to the institution he served.
Paul Just
Western Kentucky (retired)
Dr. Kelly Thompson
Western Kentucky (deceased)
Dr. Thompson was the "original" SID at WKU as a part of his public relations duties at WKU from the early 1930s to the late 1940s. He went on to serve the institution with a 14-year stint as WKU president (1955-69) and in affiliated ways the rest of his life. His efforts were pivotal in putting Hilltopper athletics on the national map in late 30s and early 40s.
Dawn Harmon
Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
Patrick Moore
Madonna (deceased)
No matter who you were, where you worked, or what you needed he always put you first.
Jordan Childress
Radford
Paul Hershey
Radford, Coastal Carolina (deceased)
The Summer of 2017 will be a summer I will never forget. I just had completed my year as AD for Communications and Paul was a major role in helping me get through a year in which only two of our three full-time positions were filled for 3/4 of the year. His life was cut way too short, but the lord works in mysterious ways. He had a true passion for being an SID and the student-athletes. Paul is now stating games and writing recaps in heaven. There will be an open seat at every athletic event for him as long as I am at Radford. One of the main reasons I am donating is Paul left his long career as a sports journalist to become a GA in the Ithaca SID office.
Chevonne Mansfield
American Athletic Conference
Ed Hill
Howard (retired)
I am proud to be part of the Ed Hill "tree" and I remain indebted to him for the experiences he provided me during my time as an Assistant SID at Howard University.
Chevonne Mansfield
American Athletic Conference
Doug Vance
CoSIDA
Doug has been a strong supporter of young people in the industry and though I'm not so young anymore (smile), I am grateful for his kindness, generosity, and friendship.
Paul Carson
University of Toronto (retired)
Nick Vista
Michigan State (deceased)
Nick became my mentor when I joined CoSIDA in the late 1980s. Over the years he was consistently supportive of my efforts and those of other Canadian SIDs to develop as communications professionals and to become active and effective members of CoSIDA. He was a solid friend and consummate "gentleman" in the finest sense of the term.
Danny Barnts
Point Loma
Max Corbet
Boise State (retired)
Great teacher. Gave me a wonderful opportunity which I will always be grateful for and can make a helluva brisket.
Chris Mitchell
Washington U in St. Louis
Scott Cummings
McKendree
Scott Cummings has been a mentor of mine since he took a chance on a 22-year old tennis player with floppy hair in 1999. He hired me upon graduation from McKendree to serve as the Assistant SID despite having minimal experience. Scott taught me what I needed to be successful in this profession, and was very instrumental in learning Statcrew. He also encouraged me to attend my first CoSIDA in 2000, which led me to an internship at Duke. Scott is someone I now work side-by-side at WashU Basketball games, and proud to call him a friend and a mentor.
Jay Blackman
Tennessee at Chattanooga
Greg Remington
New Mexico (retired)
Greg gave me an internship when I first moved to New Mexico as a graduate student and then hired me in my first full-time position. I got to start my career as the contact for Lobo basketball, soccer and skiing and I learned so much from him that I can’t begin to list it all here. He not only taught me about this profession, but he also showed me how to treat people and do things the right way. Although it has been over eight years since we worked together, his influence still affects me every day.
Kenny Klein
Louisville
Doug Vance
CoSIDA
I learned from the best in Doug Vance, who plucked me from a pre-med major in college to help him in sports information at Austin Peay and later Murray State. I couldn't have had a better teacher and I sincerely appreciate all that he has done for me. Surprising me by showing up at my recent state Hall of Fame induction was over the top.
Daniel Ruede
New Haven
Brent Rutkowski
Central Connecticut State (deceased)
In just a short time during my freshman and sophomore years in college, Brent Rutkowski became the most influential person in directing me to a career path that I truly enjoy. He offered me my initial opportunity and taught and supported me throughout before passing at a very young age. I still think to this day -"What would Brent do?" in many situations.
Herb Vincent
SEC
Dan McDonald
Southwestern Louisiana (retired)
Dan is the epitome of someone who built an incredible career just by going to work each and every day and doing the job the way its supposed to be done. He taught me the importance of attention to detail and the value of friendship in the profession.
Herb Vincent
SEC
Paul Manasseh
LSU (deceased)
A legend among sports information directors, he took a genuine interest in the careers of his students. He taught me the tools of the trade, the value of loyalty to your university, a strong work ethic and the importance of building relationships, but he also taught me to see a bigger picture and not to take the work too seriously.
Jeff Hodges
North Alabama
Dave Wohlhueter
Cornell (retired)
Dave is one of the true legends of CoSIDA and was very influential to me as a young SID and young member of the CoSIDA Board. A true professional who spent almost 40 years serving CoSIDA, he was never afraid to share his honest opinion about what he thought was best for the organization, whether that was the prevailing opinion or not. He is one of the most respected people I have known in this profession.
Larry Dougherty
Temple
Al Shrier
Temple
Al Shrier has not only been my mentor since I entered the profession 30-plus years ago, but was my father's mentor when he was the SID at Saint Joseph's in the 1970s. In his 64 years in the profession, Al has mentored countless SIDs. He is one of the most selfless individuals I have ever met and am so fortunate to have been able to work with him the past 14 years at Temple. When I run into Temple alums when travelling with our athletics teams the first question I am asked is, How is Mr. Shrier? Today, July 9, is his 87th Birthday, so no better day to honor him by donating to this worthy cause.
David Sherwood
Wingate
Gary Spitler
UNC Pembroke (deceased)
Gary Spitler is one of the top reasons I am a sports information director. He had the ability to inspire people to do their best. Gary was always smiling…always encouraging others. His influence on my life cannot be measured. I will always be grateful.
Chad Jackson
Armstrong State
Bonnie Johnson
NCAA
While working with her at the University of North Florida, Bonnie taught me about professionalism in the business and was incredibly supportive through my early years in Sports Information. She has brought that same work ethic to her current position with the NCAA. All the success I've had over my past 20 years are because of her early guidance. Thank you Bonnie!
Bill Dyer
Virginia Tech
Dave Smith
Virginia Tech (retired)
Hired me at Virginia Tech 17 years ago and has been a friend for years.
Bill Dyer
Virginia Tech
Rich Murray
JMU/Virginia (retired)
Gave me my start in this business as an undergraduate at JMU.
Daniel Hooker
Western Carolina
Steve White
Western Carolina (retired)
Long-time Sports Information professional and resident historian of Catamount Athletics, Steve White was a prominent member within the Sports Information world for over 30 years. He influenced and mentored many within the field and continues to be a model for the profession.
Gregory Goings
Bowie State
John Holley
Norfolk State (deceased)
John was one of the true veterans in the profession that I had the pleasure of working with. During my early years in the profession, John was always willing to mentor and help in any way possible. One of the most powerful statements John made to me was "The work will be there tomorrow". This statement is so true as it relates to our current "Work, Life, Balance" concept within CoSIDA.
Gregory Goings
Bowie State
LeCounte Conaway
Maryland Eastern Shore/Virginia State/Hampton/Shaw/Delaware State/ CIAA Office and MEAC Office (deceased)
LeCounte was directly responsible for getting me involved in Sports Information during my undergraduate years at Virginia State. I volunteered as the official scorer (bookkeeper) for the men's basketball team. LeCounte felt I had good penmanship and had me compile the cumulative statistics (by hand) as there were no computers or in-game stat programs. I was also responsible for sending stats via telecopier.
Dave Walters
Guilford
Pete Moore
Syracuse
After 23 years in sports information, I still abide by the fundamental elements of the profession learned from Pete at Ithaca College. He is a tremendous mentor and champion of our profession. I'm thankful to be among the many who have learned under his unparalleled tutelage.
Danny Kambel
Pacific
Lawrence Fan
San José State
Lawrence was one of the first people that I met in CoSIDA in 1999 in Orlando. For the last 18 years, he has never wavered in his belief and in support of my personal and professional career. He has taken me from a job seeker to a job holder and a mentor. His efforts are imprinted in the way that I do things, especially as a member of the Job Seekers committee.
David Worlock
NCAA
Steve Eddington
Henderson State
I had the honor of working for Steve when I was a student assistant in the Henderson State sports information office. At first, Steve was my supervisor. Later he became a mentor, a dear friend and a father figure. Any success I've had in my professional life can be largely attributed to Steve, and I'm forever grateful.
Michael Hawkins
Francis Marion
Michael MacEachern
Young Harris
Growing up without an SID mentor, Michael MacEachern has been a colleague of mine since the beginning. We grew up as small college SIDs in the Southeast, operating one-man shops. He has been a sounding board, a source of information, and a valued friend over the past 30 years.
Jeff Hodges
North Alabama
Fred Nuesch
Texas A&M Kingsville (retired)
I met Fred Nuesch my third year in the profession (1985) and he encouraged me to get involved in CoSIDA. I began attending the conventions the next year and he and CoSIDA continued to open doors for me to grow as a professional, eventually having the opportunity to serve on the CoSIDA Board and getting involved in the Olympic movement. Fred was a great mentor to me and many others and continues to be a great friend.
Paul Dodson
FIU
Tracey Judd
NASCAR (retired)
I am the professional that I am today because of T-Judd. She taught me so much and I am forever grateful. More importantly, she became a life-long friend.
Ryan Rose
FIU
David Sherwood
Wingate
David is the world's nicest person, a tremendous example of our profession and an excellent mentor to me and many others in the profession. He is a very giving individual and makes everyone who he encounters a better person.
Will Roleson
CoSIDA
Dave Young
Miami-Ohio (deceased)
I’m involved in the sports information profession today because of the late Dave ‘Happy’ Young, former SID at Miami University (1967-91). I first met Dave in the mid-1980s when my father began fixing the copy machine for Xerox in the Miami sports info office when I was still in high school. I enrolled at Miami primarily so I could work for and learn from Dave. He encouraged me to join CoSIDA, and I attended my first Convention in 1992 in Lexington when he was inducted to the CoSIDA Hall of Fame.
Tim Tessalone
Southern California
Personal Gift
Diane Nordstrom
Wisconsin
Tamara Flarup
Wisconsin (retired)
Most people have the one person who has gotten them into sports information and has inspired them along the way. To me, that person is Tam. She introduced me to the profession and also encouraged me to get involved in CoSIDA. Her dedication to the sports information and our national organization is inspiring. She continues to be someone with whom I can go to for advice and guidance.
Sam Atkinson
Gallaudet
Paul Ohanian
Salisbury (retired)
Paul Ohanian was the man behind-the-scenes in Salisbury University's Sports Information Office for nearly 15 years. Paul was the SID while I was an undergraduate student and I worked through Paul to secure press passes, interview requests while I worked for the student newspaper, local daily newspaper and later local TV. I even worked for Paul doing PA announcing. He was the first true SID to show me what it meant to be a SID. 
Doug Vance
CoSIDA
David Vance
Eastern Kentucky (retired)
My brother was the sports information director at Eastern Kentucky University and got me started in the profession. Without him, I'd probably be writing obits for a newspaper right now!
Brian Lovellette
SLIAC
Chris Mitchell
Washington (St. Louis)
From my R.A. to my roommate, a co-worker to a colleague, Chris has always been a mentor and a friend. 
Sean Johnson
University of Jamestown
Bill Cable
Truman State (deceased)
A legend and unsung hero. Truly humble and gracious and tremendous professional. Totally dedicated to the profession and Truman State.
Paul Just
Western Kentucky (retired)
Ed Given
Western Kentucky (retired)
The finest of mentors and a true professional in our busines in every way, shape and fashion. A class act all the way around
Laurie Bollig
CoSIDA
Paul Just
Western Kentucky (retired)
Paul introduced me to sports information, gave me a job, mentored me throughout my college career. Best mentor ever!
Laurie Bollig
CoSIDA
Doug Vance
CoSIDA
Hired me as an intern and then later full time at the University of Kansas. Calm under pressure. Diplomatic. Kind. Made the job fun. Best first boss ever.