Award Concept
The purpose of the ChangeMaker Innovation Awards is to recognize forward-thinkers who bring new ideas to life — and strengthen the position of CSC members and our work — with special content, a branding and messaging campaign, new storyteller packages, social media initiatives, a digital series, new event coverage, game management strategies, etc.
The type of content or new initiative to nominate is broad-ranging and will recognize excellence in content which represents out-of-the-box or cutting edge thinking and implementation especially as we navigate a complex and changing college athletic environment.
College Sports Communicators will present up to three ChangeMaker Innovation Awards annually. Judges have the discretion to honor one, two or three winners based on the quantity of nominations.
2025-26 Submissions - Open Jan. 7, 2026 through April 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM (ET)
- Projects nominated need to be launched between May 1, 2025 and April 15, 2026.
- The contest will be open to any individual or team of athletics communications professionals and must include at least one current College Sports Communicators member who was integral to the project.
- You may submit more than one project.
- Important Note: If you are nominating a project done by a group on your campus or in your conference, at least one from that group who was integral as a creator and manager must be an active 2025-26 College Sports Communicators member.
- There is a spot on the nomination form to list all those who worked on the project.
- Click here to submit a nomination.
Judging and Awards Presentation
Representatives from CSC staff, external colleagues and members of numerous CSC committees will form the 2025-26 ChangeMaker Innovation Awards judging panel.
For more information or questions concerning the ChangeMaker Innovation Awards, contact Becky Griesmer at becky@cscommunicators.com.
Past Winners