CSC program and awards naming history
CSC Special Awards Program
Each year, College Sports Communicators honors individuals inside and outside the membership with recognition for distinguished service, work and achievement.
Special Awards are presented annually at awards celebration events during the CSC annual convention.
2027 Special Awards Nominations
Nominations are open for the 2027 Special Awards through December 1, 2026.
Submit a Special Awards nomination →
Special Awards nominations are open to current CSC dues-paying members only.
CSC Member Awards
CSC Hall of Fame
Presented to members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics communications in intercollegiate athletics. Minimum 15 years in the profession. Voted on by current CSC Hall of Fame members and the Special Awards Committee.
Hall of Fame Nomination Categories
- University Division (NCAA Division I)
- College Division (NCAA Division II, Division III, NAIA, two-year colleges and Canadian/U Sports)
- Veterans (retirees, deceased members and former members who have left the athletics communications profession)
All current professionals shall be nominated in the University and College Divisions. Retirees, deceased individuals and those who have left the profession shall be part of the Veterans nomination process.
View CSC Hall of Fame inductees →25-Year Award
Presented to members who have completed 25 years in the athletics communications profession. The award is vetted and voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Members may self-nominate for this award.
How Do I Calculate My 25-Year Service?
To receive a 25-Year Award at the annual CSC convention, you must have been in the athletics communications profession full time and/or an active member of the organization for 25 years at the time of the annual June convention. Your 25-year total must be met by July 1.
If you started full-time work as of July 1, 2001, your 25 years would be completed in June 2026 and you would receive the award during the 2026 award year.
If you started your full-time work in July, August or September 2001, or beyond, you would complete your 25 years later and receive your award at the 2027 CSC Unite convention.
Achievement Award
Presented annually to two College Sports Communicators members — one in the University Division and one in the College Division — currently serving as an associate or assistant director in athletics communications.
Recipients 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 not have served in the lead role overseeing an athletics communications office.
This award is designed for an individual who has not been a recipient of a prestigious CSC major award (Arch Ward, Warren Berg or Hall of Fame) during their career.
View Achievement Award recipients →Warren Berg Award
Presented annually to a CSC College Division member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college athletics communications and who, by their activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession.
Nominees can be active or retired members.
View Warren Berg Award recipients →Distinguished Service Award
Presented in appreciation for endless work and devotion to the College Sports Communicators Executive Board of Directors.
This special award is presented by the Executive Board of Directors and is not an award in the general nomination category.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to individuals who have served at least 25 years in the athletics communications profession who are retiring or leaving the profession.
Years of service are vetted by the Special Awards Committee. Members may self-nominate for this award.
View Lifetime Achievement Award recipients →Bill Esposito Backbone Award
Presented to a College Sports Communicators member who displays sound judgment and unusual courage in guiding their institution, conference office or collegiate athletics-affiliated association through a difficult public relations situation.
Voted on by the Special Awards Committee only when worthy candidates are nominated.
View Bill Esposito Backbone Award recipients →Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award
Presented annually to an individual who is a pioneer in the field of athletics communications who has mentored and helped improve the level of diversity within College Sports Communicators.
Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
View Trailblazer Award recipients →Lester Jordan Award
Presented to an individual for exemplary service to the Academic All-America® Program and the promotion of the ideals of being a student-athlete.
Nominations are solicited by, and voting is conducted by, the Academic All-America® Core Committee.
View Lester Jordan Award recipients →Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award
Presented annually to a College Sports Communicators member for civic involvement, community service and accomplishments within and/or outside of the athletics communications profession.
Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
View Bob Kenworthy Award recipients →Bud Nangle Award
Presented to a College Sports Communicators member or an individual outside of CSC who embodies the ideals of intercollegiate athletics by showing ethics, integrity, compassion and/or bravery in a singular act or under an unusual or stressful personal or professional situation.
Voted on by the Special Awards Committee only when worthy candidates are nominated.
View Bud Nangle Award recipients →President's Award
Presented to an individual selected by the reigning College Sports Communicators President.
Introduced in 2014-15, this award honors exemplary volunteer service and leadership within the organization's committee structure in support of programs that benefit members.
View President's Award recipients →Rising Star Award
Presented annually to College Sports Communicators members in the University Division and College Division with 10 years of service or less.
Recipients are recognized for their work at their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics affiliated association and for their service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession.
Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
View Rising Star Award recipients →Arch Ward Award
Presented annually to a current College Sports Communicators member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college athletics communications and who, by their activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession.
Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
View Arch Ward Award recipients →Dick Enberg Award
Presented annually to an individual whose actions and commitment have furthered the meaning and reach of the Academic All-America® Teams Program and/or the student-athlete while promoting the values of education and academics.
Voted on by the Executive Board of Directors.
View Dick Enberg Award recipients →Keith Jackson Award
Presented to an individual or organization that has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and been a loyal supporter of College Sports Communicators and its mission.
Voted on by the Executive Board of Directors when worthy candidates are nominated.
View Keith Jackson Award recipients →Jake Wade Award
Presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the media to the field of intercollegiate athletics.
Voted on by the Special Awards Committee. The nominee must be a member of the media.
View Jake Wade Award recipients →Self Nominations
Self nominations are welcome for the 25-Year Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Awards only. No other self-nominations will be accepted.
Full-Time Definition
For purposes of the Special Awards program, full-time employment is defined as someone who is considered a full-time employee by the institutions, conferences or organizations where employed over their career.
This may include post-graduate internships and post-graduate assistantships. Individuals must have maintained membership in College Sports Communicators for the majority of their career and meet the years of service for each award.
Voting
Once nominations close each December, the Special Awards voting process begins.
The Special Awards Committee votes on all awards, including the College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame. Current CSC Hall of Fame members also participate in Hall of Fame voting.
Past Special Awards Features
The awards are announced in late January. Spotlight profiles on recipients are posted on CSC communications channels throughout the winter and spring leading up to CSC Unite.