2025-26 Creative & Digital Design Contest Information & Deadlines

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Changes this year include: the former category “Signing Day Package” has been changed to “Recruiting Materials” to be more inclusive of recruiting work done outside of signing day.

2025-26 CSC Creative & Digital Design Contest Information

Each year, CSC recognizes outstanding work by the membership in the area of creative and digital design. Contests for 2025-26 feature the same offerings as last year with some minor adjustments. See below for all the details. These contests are open EXCLUSIVELY for current CSC members. Direct any questions to the contest coordinator or CSC Committee Chair Patrick Murphy (pmurphy@mines.edu) or Vice Chair Malloreigh Yingling (mvy5326@psu.edu). Additional questions can be directed to CSC staff liaison Beau White (beau@cscommunicators.com). 
 

Application deadlines: “Portfolio” contests - April 6 at Midnight (ET); General contests - May 1 at Midnight (ET)
Deadlines are clearly marked and all submissions must be entered and "Submitted as Final" in the CSC Awards Portal by the correct deadline to be considered. Photographer of the Year, Designer of the Year, and Videographer of the Year are all "portfolio" contests with an application deadline of April 6. All other contests are "general" contests with a deadline of May 1.

This year, there are 17 categories available for CSC members to submit their work with each category split into University (NCAA Division I) and College (DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-Year Colleges, Canadian Institutions, and high school) division entries for a total of 34 contests. 

Make sure you are entering your submission into the correct division. Separate contests will be judged in all categories in two divisions — University and College. The University Division is all NCAA Division I schools. The College Division includes all NCAA Division II and Division III schools, NAIA schools, Canadian institutions, two-year colleges and high schools. While all non-Division I entries are submitted to the College Division, recognition will be extended to the "best of" in all levels that make up the College Division. 

**YOU MAY ONLY ENTER A GIVEN PIECE OF CONTENT IN ONE CONTEST — DO NOT ENTER THE SAME THING IN MULTIPLE GENERAL CONTESTS. THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS TO THIS ARE ENTRIES FOR THAT ARE ENTERED INTO GENERAL CONTESTS CAN ALSO BE INCLUDED IN ENTRIES FOR PORTFOLIO OR OTHER "OF THE YEAR" CONTESTS** 

Entries MUST BE correctly formatted as per contest guidelines. Incorrectly formatted entries WILL BE disqualified. Should any questions arise, please contact the contest coordinator.

The 2025-26 contests will be conducted via online submission. Email submissions ARE NOT accepted. Please make sure you type the name of your school and your name EXACTLY how you want it on the certificate and ensure you have chosen the correct contest when submitting your entry. Contests are ONLY open to current 2025-26 dues-paying College Sports Communicators members. Members MAY NOT submit entries on behalf of non-CSC members. Any entries submitted to the wrong contest WILL NOT be recognized.

MEMBERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT THEIR OWN WORK DUE TO LIMITATIONS ON THE NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS FOR EACH CONTEST. However, it is possible to for a member to submit all the entries for their staff. It is important when nominating on behalf of another member to accurately complete the form with the correct Nominator and Nominee information. 

SUBMISSION SYSTEM: Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (Website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content. All content creators must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

**If you have staff members that ARE NOT members of CSC or student workers that are not CSC members, you may add them to your school’s account if you are the custodian of an All-In Membership so that they may submit their own entries under their name. Individuals. For membership questions, please contact Beau White at beau@cscommunicators.com.**

For the third year, “Portfolio” contest finalists willbe announced in late April/early May and invited to the 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas June 7-10, 2026. Winners of those contests will be announced on site during the Special Awards Luncheon. A full list of contest winners and top places will be announced on June 10, 2026 on the final day of convention.

In addition to recognizing the top overall places for each contest category as listed below, top finishers from each of the College Division categories will be recognized as well, based on the number of entries per level of the division (i.e., the best works from Division II, Division III, the NAIA, Canadian institutions, two-year colleges and other institutions will also be recognized even if they do not place in the overall contest results).

The spirit of the Creative and Digital Design Contest is to recognize the best works each year from across the CSC membership. For the second year, ALL GENERAL CONTESTS will implement application limits on the number of submissions by an individual per contest (portfolio contests already have a limit of one submission per participant).

These limits require members to submit only their best work and ensure that volunteer judges have adequate time to thoroughly review each entry. These limits will also allow judges to award places to more deserving participants.

By asking contest participants to self-screen what content they are submitting, we are elevating the level of works submitted and enhancing the overall experience of the contest. Participants are also encouraged to submit different pieces of work for consideration rather than different variations of similar designs.

Please note that contest leadership will listen to feedback from the membership and contest participants and evaluate the continued usage of this policy on an annual basis.

Places will be awarded in each contest. The breakdown is as follows:

1-3 entries             one place
4-8 entries             two places
9-14 entries           three places
15-21 entries         four places
22-28 entries         five places
29-40 entries        eight places
41-59 entries        10 places
60-79 entries        15 places
80+ entries            20 places

Should any contest results include a tie, the tie will be recognized in the final results and the corresponding place in the results will be awarded to the number of individuals represented in the tie. 

In addition to recognizing the top overall places for each contest category as listed above, top finishers from each of the College Division categories will be recognized as well, based on the number of entries per level of the division (i.e., the best works from Division II, Division III, the NAIA, Canadian institutions, two-year colleges and other institutions will also be recognized even if they do not place in the overall contest results).

  • An entry must be submitted according to the division in which that sport actually competes. For instance, if a school is NCAA-I in ice hockey and NCAA-II in all other sports, it must enter its ice hockey in the university division and its other publications in the college division.
  • Best Cover will be awarded in all publications contests such as media guides and game programs
  • The CSC member at the school entering an item into the contest, or the name on the certificate must be a dues-paying CSC member to win an award.
  • All entries produced or designed solely by advertising agencies, graphic design houses or other companies outside of the athletic department will be disqualified. The CSC member must have control over the design and content.
  • Any entry submitted in the wrong division or category, submitted late or formatted incorrectly WILL BE disqualified.

 

National Recruiting Compliance Guidelines

Those who enter the Creative and Digital Design Contest are required to understand how the publications fit within their national governing body compliance and recruiting guidelines. Each publication MUST be compliant under the rules of the governing organization of the school that is entering the contest.

2025-26 Creative & Digital Design Contest Descriptions

Portfolio Contests

Submissions for all "portfolio" contests must be received by Midnight (ET) on April 6, 2026. Finalists will be announced on in late April/early May with winners announced and recognized on-stage during the #CSCUnite26 Convention.

  • Submission deadline: April 6, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for Photographer of the Year.

    They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. In this case, up to 25 photos translates to 25,000 words. With the rise of photography in our space, this contest is designed to recognize the best behind the camera among the CSC membership. Entrants may submit no more than 25 photos from their works from the 2025-26 season.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The photographer must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Only one entry for a photographer. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: April 6, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for Designer of the Year.

    Making eye-catching graphics is something that every CSC member strives to produce day in and day out year round. This contest aims to recognize the best, brightest and most innovative graphic designers across the CSC membership. Entrants may compile and submit a portfolio of up to 25 of their best graphics from throughout the 2025-26 season.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The designer must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Only one entry for a designer. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: April 6, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for Videographer of the Year. 

    Of any area that has seen an emergence in popularity and importance, it is creative video. This contest aims to recognize the best video creatives among the CSC membership. Entrants may submit up to 25 pieces from the 2025-26 season for consideration as a folder.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The videographer must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Only one entry for a videographer. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

General Contests

Submissions for all general contests must be received by Midnight (ET) on May 1, 2026. Winners will be announced on June 10.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for the contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    These are in-house produced videos and/or reels used to promote an athlete, program, game and/or event through social media outlets. Entries must be 90 seconds in length or less. No more than THREE (3) entries from any one individual are permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for the contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    This contest is designed to showcase the best recruiting materials produced for any sport and should be submitted as a portfolio. These are in-house produced graphics, videos, GIFs or other publications used in the process or recruiting/signing student-athletes and should be in compliance with national recruiting guidelines relevant to your division. No more than THREE (3) entries from any one individual are permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results. The use of a design service (i.e., Learfield, Box Out, Scoreshots, Gipper) is not permitted.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for Video of the Year, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    Any single video piece from the 2025-26 academic year can be submitted. No more than THREE (3) entries from any one individual are permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for Photo of the Year, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    Any single-game photo with cutline from a sporting event from the 2025-26 academic year, submitted as a pdf file. A CUTLINE OR DESCRIPTION IS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDING CONTEXT FOR THE PHOTO DURING JUDGING. ENTRIES WITHOUT A CUTLINE OR DESCRIPTION WILL NOT BE JUDGED. Media day photos or photos from a studio photography session are not permitted.

    No more than THREE (3) entries from any one individual are permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The photographer must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for game notes, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    These are changing publications that are produced for each game or group of games and have a primary purpose to provide a preview of a game/match. Game notes are produced for each game throughout the season. All entries from all sports will be judged as one category. Only ONE (1) version of notes will be required for submission — please do not submit more than one version of the same game notes. No more than THREE (3) separate entries from any one individual are permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for this contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    These are in-house produced graphics (non-motion) used to promote a program or game through social media outlets. Entries from the previous academic year, which could not be entered in last year’s contest, are allowed for all spring championships. No more than THREE (3) graphics can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each graphic should be entered as a completely separate submission. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file or PDF. The use of a design service (i.e., Learfield, BoxOut, Scoreshots, Gipper) is not permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for this contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    These are in-house produced graphics (non-motion) used to highlight records, milestones or other similar events through social media outlets. Entries from the previous academic year, which could not be entered in last year’s contest, are allowed for all spring championships. No more than THREE (3) graphics can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each graphic should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as a .zip file or PDF. The use of a design service (i.e., Learfield, Box Out, Scoreshots, Gipper) is not permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for this contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    These are in-house produced graphics (non-motion) used to promote an individual or team major award or championship at the conference, regional, and national level through social media outlets. Entries from the previous academic year, which could not be entered in last year’s contest, are allowed for all spring championships. No more than THREE (3) graphics can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each graphic should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file or PDF. The use of a design service (i.e., Learfield, Box Out, Scoreshots, Gipper) is not permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for this contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    Have something really cool that you made during the year you would like to submit to the contest, but you aren’t sure where to put it? This contest offers CSC members a chance to showcase their creativity through graphics and videos for any special projects they undertook for their department during the 2025-26 academic year. No more than THREE (3) ENTRIES can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each ENTRY should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file or PDF. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for this video contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    Entries are focused on a match, game or student-athlete/coach feature. All video entries must be developed in-house and not from an outside agency and cannot be longer than 5 minutes in length. If the entry is longer than 5 minutes it will be disqualified. No more than THREE (3) ENTRIES can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each ENTRY should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for media guides, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    All entries from all sports will be judged as one category. These are publications that are produced by an institution or a conference to provide information to the media about an upcoming season, produced by an institution to provide information to the media about a season just past that has resulted in postseason play.

    Entries from the postseason of the previous academic year, which could not be entered in last year’s contest, are allowed for all spring championships. No more than THREE (3) ENTRIES can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each ENTRY should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file or PDF. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (Website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for game day programs, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    All entries from all seasons will be judged as one category. These are publications that are produced by an institution or a conference that are changing publications that are produced for each home game or group of home games and have a primary purpose of resale to the attending public.

    Entries from the postseason of the previous academic year, which could not be entered in last year’s contest, are allowed for all spring championships. No more than THREE (3) ENTRIES can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each ENTRY should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file or PDF. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (Website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for posters, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    These are publications that are produced to promote some aspect of the athletic program and distributed for general use by media, team members and fans or any combination of the same. No more than THREE (3) ENTRIES can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each ENTRY should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file or PDF. The use of a design service (i.e., Learfield, Box Out, Scoreshots, Gipper) is not permitted. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.

  • Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
    Two divisions (University and College) are offered for this video feature contest, with "best of" awarded for each division.

    Entries are focused on pregame or “hype” videos. All entries from all sports will be judged as one category. Entries from the previous academic year, which could not be entered in last year’s contest, are allowed for all spring championships. These can include in-stadium/arena videos starting lineup videos. All video entries must be developed in-house and not from an outside agency. No more than THREE (3) ENTRIES can be entered PER INDIVIDUAL and each ENTRY should be entered separately. DO NOT INCLUDE MULTIPLE ENTRIES IN ONE SUBMISSION as part of a .zip file. Entrants may earn multiple places in the final results.

    Entries may be uploaded (max 100MB per upload) or provided via a link (website, Dropbox, Google drive, etc). If entries are submitted via a link, we must be able to access those entries to judge them — make sure your link is open through June 30 and provide the password if necessary. If the judges cannot access your link, then your entry will be disqualified. Complete entries should include captions/descriptions for each piece of content.

    The content creator must be a dues-paying member of CSC. Any entries submitted that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.