2025 Special Awards Salute: Jeff Conrad - 25-Year Award
College Sports Information Directors of America
25-Year Award
Presented to College Sports Communicators members who have completed 25 years in the athletics communications profession. Vetted and voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Jeff Conrad — University of Houston Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Jeff Conrad has served as University of Houston assistant athletics director for communications since May 2017. He joined the Cougars athletic staff in September 2001 and moved into the athletic communications director’s position in February 2008 prior to his current role. He is the primary contact for men's basketball and men's and women's golf while assisting with football.
Prior to joining UH, Conrad served three years at Louisiana-Lafayette, the last two as the SID. During his time with the Cajuns, he oversaw the publicity efforts of all 16 intercollegiate sports and was the primary contact for football, men's basketball and baseball. Among his career highlights was serving as baseball contact for the Cajun team that advanced to the NCAA College World Series for the first time in school history.
After graduating from college, Conrad worked as a graduate assistant at Louisiana-Lafayette during the 1995-96 year and was a metro reporter with the Alexandria Daily Town Talk in Alexandria, Louisiana, for two years.
A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, he received his bachelor's degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in communications from Centenary College in 1995 where he was a sports information undergraduate student assistant.
He is married to the former Kristy Risner, a 1995 Academic All-American in softball, 1995 NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Louisiana, and 2005 inductee into the Centenary Athletics Hall of Fame. They have two sons, Tyler and Nathan, and live in Montgomery.
Jeff Conrad, 25-Year Award
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Getting ready to find his seat on the road at a men’s basketball game.
Conrad’s wife, Kristy, with their sons, Tyler (left) and Nathan at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. As Conrad remarked, “The best of both my worlds in one photo.”
Proud parents: Conrad with his wife, Kristy and son, Tyler, after Tyler was honored at a Houston Men’s Basketball game in recognition of his four years of service as a United States Marine.
The Conrad’s sons, Nathan (left) and Tyler. Jeff notes: “I am proud to be a College Sports Communicator for as long as I have been and to receive this recognition… But Tyler and Nathan and holding the love of my beautiful wife, Kristy, through the decades, are my greatest accomplishments.”
Conrad notes that “I have been blessed to be a small part (literally and figuratively) of the University Houston Athletics Communications Office for the last 24 years.”
Conrad stated: “Under Houston Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, I have been grateful to be a part of several net-cutting ceremonies through the years. It really is an honor to be part of a program which succeeds with the kind of wonderful men and women in it.”
Conrad working a Houston men’s basketball game in the Fertitta Center and notes: “In addition to the student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators, I also am blessed to work with a wonderful group of men and women on our statistics crews through the years.”
Conrad writes: “Our son, Tyler, with a sign that my wife Kristy made, for hosting ESPN College GameDay inside Fertitta Center in February. For a laugh… Zoom in under J’Wan Roberts’ right hand to see who is standing there… Thanks, Kristy!”
Each year, Conrad gets to work with some of the best people in our profession in the University of Houston Athletics Communications Office and says “While the faces have changed through the years, I have learned so much from everyone. I am blessed.”
Conrad’s professional development quotes and reflections continue here...
David Bassity, Atlanta Falcons Vice President for Football Communications: "I can say without a doubt that Jeff Conrad truly is one-of-one. His oversized heart and the loyalty he has to those he works with and the University of Houston are evident in everything he does. His professionalism, dedication and ability to serve with care allow so many to put their trust in him and has resulted in many life-long friendships, even for those students who have endured a late-night comma education session from Jeff. I was fortunate to call Jeff a coworker for seven years and even more fortunate now to call him one of my best friends. If I had to deliver one message to Jeff, it would be his own words that grace so many of his emails, ‘Thanks and take care.’"
Matt Dunaway, Mississippi State University Director of Communications (Men’s Basketball): "Congratulations to Jeff, a most deserving recipient of the CSC 25-Year Award. His work ethic, his integrity and his passion for the people and for the programs that he’s worked with have been a driving force behind his successful career at the University of Houston. I’m extremely grateful for Jeff’s mentorship which began 20 years ago when I walked in the door as an intern at UH. He taught me numerous lessons and showed me what it took to be successful in our profession. There’s no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I’m today without his mentorship. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher and a great friend to not only myself but to so many throughout your career at Houston."
Conrad on his 25+ years in the profession…
"It’s hard for me to believe that I have worked for this long in our wonderful profession. It seems like just yesterday I was running around Centenary College as an undergraduate, not understanding the first thing I was doing…but having fun nonetheless.
It is always an honor and a pleasure to work as part of any team, and I have been grateful to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fellow support staff members through the years. As Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson reminds his teams every season…it’s not about the destination; it’s the journey.
While our profession has changed in so many ways since I started in January 1993, I have been on a wonderful journey in college athletics, met so many wonderful people along the way and been a part of so many amazing events. I am grateful for all my bosses, co-workers and students who have shaped me into what I am today. I would not have made it without you all."
Conrad’s professional development tips…
Plan ahead and work as far in advance as you can on all events and projects. I would rather sit around and be bored for two hours because I am prepared before a game than be running around and working on a million things 30 minutes before an event.
As you make your plans in all things, be prepared and ready to adapt and adjust on the fly. Your best-laid plans may have to be completely rewritten based on a coach’s or administrator’s decision that morning. But don’t worry… You’ve got this. You are strong enough to be flexible.
The power of relationships in college athletics…
It really is about the journey. Always take time to enjoy the brothers and sisters in the support staff trenches with you on your teams as you move through a season. More than anything else, it is the relationships you make with those people that you will remember for the rest of your life.
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April 30, 2026
Calendar
Important Dates
- 06/23/26 / 11:59 P.M. M/W At-Large Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 06/30/26 / 11:59 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA)
- 07/07/26 / 12:00 P.M. W At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 07/08/26 / 12:00 P.M. M At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 07/14/26 / 12:00 P.M. M Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
- 06/07/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
- 06/08/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
- 06/09/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
- 06/09/26 / 11:59 P.M. Baseball Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 06/10/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
- 06/16/26 / 12:00 P.M. Softball Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
- 06/16/26 / 12:00 P.M. M/W At-Large Academic All-District Released; National Voting Begins (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 06/16/26 / 11:59 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Nomination Deadline (NCAA, NAIA)
- 06/23/26 / 12:00 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-District Released; National Voting Begins (NCAA, NAIA)
- 06/23/26 / 12:00 P.M. Baseball Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
- 06/23/26 / 11:59 P.M. M/W At-Large Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 06/30/26 / 11:59 P.M. M/W Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA)
- 07/07/26 / 12:00 P.M. W At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 07/08/26 / 12:00 P.M. M At-Large Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA, College Division)
- 07/14/26 / 12:00 P.M. M Track & Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Announced (NCAA, NAIA)
- 06/07/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
- 06/08/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
- 06/09/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
- 06/09/26 / 11:59 P.M. Baseball Academic All-America National Ballot Voting Deadline (NCAA, NAIA)
- 06/10/26 / All Day 2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
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