#CSCUNITE23 Sights & Sounds from Day 4 in Orlando
College Sports Information Directors of America
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As the fourth and final day of #CSCUNITE23 came to a close, there was a spirit in the air of renewed energy as friends and colleagues — old and new — gave their goodbye hugs, high fives and fist bumps for another week of fellowship, connections and learning opportunities.
The four days at the Orlando World Center Marriott saw CSC host three awards ceremonies, two recognizing the best-of-the-best athletic communicators and our colleagues and one honoring the newest members of the CSC Academic All-America Hall of Fame. Fifty-four educational and professional development panels, educational lounges and breakouts — many of which were standing-room only — took place over the four days. There were also numerous receptions and social events – formal and informal – attended by hundreds.
That sums up the 2023 CSC convention, which was the first under the new name of CSC Unite. We welcomed 750-plus members, exhibitors and corporate partners at the event which concluded on June 14.
The fourth and final day of CSC Unite began with a storytelling and writing session (Storytelling: Pitching Stories and Writing More Powerful Content) headlined by two notable sports writers – Andrea Adelson of ESPN and her husband, Eric Adelson, a current freelance writer and reporter and professor at UCF. They were joined on-stage by Justin Whitaker, NCAA assistant communications director and an IUPUI adjunct professor of sports journalism himself.
Rounding out the morning educational programming was a session with three CSC members and UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn for a frank discussion on “Working With Coaches: What Should These Partnerships Look Like?”
The final CSC awards celebration followed. Amy Yakola, a former Executive Board member and the ACC Deputy Commissioner/Chief of External Affairs again served as as emcee at the Special Awards luncheon. The organization paid tribute to its final Special Awards winners of 2022-23, including the following:
- 25-Year Award winners — see list here
- Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award — Jeremy Rosenthal, University of Texas
- Lester Jordan Award — Mike Montoro, West Virginia
- Rising Star Award — Tyler Cady, Syracuse (University Division) and Katie Ryan, USC (University Division); Tommy Chasanoff, University of the Cumberlands (College Division) and Donnie Smith, Southeastern University (College Division)
- CSC Achievement Award – Susan Lax, Kentucky (University Division); Brandon Hensley, University of the Cumberlands (College Division)
Additional recognition was given for those participating in the 2022-23 Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship Class and the inaugural class of 30-Under-30 Award recipients. This was the second year of the Fellowship Class in partnership with the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics; diversity was represented in affiliation, gender, race and experience level. The 30-Under-30 honor was created by the association’s Young Professionals Committee to recognize outstanding young professionals throughout the membership.
President’s Award Announced
The ninth annual President’s Award recipients also were recognized. This award — which is announced for the first time at the Special Awards luncheon — serves to honor exemplary volunteer service and leadership within the organization's committee and governance structure. This year’s President’s Award recipients:
- Cole Helman (Palm Beach Atlantic) - for developing the new CSC 30-Under-30 Initiative as a Young Professionals Committee member
- Jeff Hodges (recently retired from North Alabama) - for his service as CSC secretary and Special Awards Committee chair
- Jeremy Rosenthal (Texas) - for his Goodwill and Wellness Committee leadership
- Colin Terrill (Milwaukee School of Engineering) - for his work on CSC U Programming
- Tim Volkmann (Rochester Institute of Technology) - for his leadership as NCAA Division III cabinet President
- Laurie Bollig (CSC Director of Membership Engagement) – for her exemplary service to the membership and her work in expanding and enhancing the Academic All-America program.
Passing of the Presidential Gavel
The last action taken during the Special Awards luncheon was the passing of the presidential gavel. Outgoing president Jessica Poole of the Minnesota Aurora FC, the first Black women to serve as the organization’s president, officially passed the gavel to incoming 2023-24 president John Paquette, BIG EAST Conference Senior Associate Commissioner, Sports Media Relations. Paquette, this year’s CSC First Vice President, will serve as the organization’s volunteer leader through next year’s CSC Unite.
Before the day was over, there was more learning to be had as the popular Educational Lounge (small group) sessions wrapped up programming. The topics ranged from “controlling the controllable” when teams are experiencing losing or difficult seasons; productivity tools and tips to dial back stress; and writing breakout sessions on general writing techniques and on feature writing.
Mobile App Post-CSC UNITE Survey and Evaluation
We ask each CSC UNITE23 attendee to take a few minutes and fill out the survey/evaluation which you can find on our mobile app. The CSC Professional Development and Continuing Education Committee takes this survey very seriously and uses it extensively to make decisions on programming for the coming year. Tell us what you liked, what you didn't, and let us know if you want to be involved. See you next year in Las Vegas for our 2024 CSC UNITE event, taking place at Mandalay Bay Resort, Sunday-Wednesday, June 9-12, 2024.
Day 4 Recap of CSC Unite ‘23 ?? Check it out ! ????[#cscunite23](https://twitter.com/hashtag/cscunite23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#collegeathletics](https://twitter.com/hashtag/collegeathletics?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/gywSbuuowD](https://t.co/gywSbuuowD)
Strong session on setting priorities, boundaries, and how to professionally say no. [#CSCUNITE23](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSCUNITE23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Excited to see this [#CSCUnite23](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSCUnite23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) panel come to fruition.@bmorales316, @hild_shelby, @_lynnw, and @courtneymday_ are four great contributors to our profession and it’s great to have them up on the stage together in Orlando. [pic.twitter.com/2JkC6rGwXq]
Our emcee for today’s Special Awards luncheon… @theACC’s Amy Yakola!
We caught up with Jeremy Rosenthal, Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award Recipient, before the CSC Special Awards Luncheon!
#CSCUNITE23 | Great Educational Lounge this AM by @gogipper — not just about their tools, but on what every level of athletic department can do to enhance their engagement with the "power of user-generated content!"
- @alex_falk @NJCUAthletics
All ?? Session ?? Working with Coaches - What Should These Partnerships Look Like?
?? @DonVieth, @RiverHawkSports ...
Great session on “Storytelling: Pitching Stories & Writing More Powerful Content.” Some great points from the panelists… #CSCUNITE23
A story is never really done, you just hit a deadline.” - Justin Whitaker
Congrats to all of our #CSCUNITE23 Special Awards winners!!
Thank you @CollSportsComm You have provided me an opportunity of a lifetime. To all my women, women of color and mommas you can do it too and I hope I have blazed a trail for you all!
CSC Unite ?
It was an absolute privilege to present at my first @CollSportsComm conference. #CSCUnite23
Leaving Orlando with a full heart and new perspective. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it forever, I love what I do and it’s because of the PEOPLE I’ve been blessed to meet in this industry.[#CSCunite23] | @CollSportsComm
— Shelby Hild (@hild_shelby) June 14, 2023
Great opportunity to be able to attend #CSCUNITE23 and catch up with some awesome colleagues. Thank you @CollSportsComm for helping to make this happen through the attendance grant program!
— Lindsey Branch (@lindsbranch) June 14, 2023
You are looking at the 1st GA in @CollSportsComm history to be selected to the inaugural 30 under 30. Thanks to my family, friends, colleagues, teams, and coaches. You are the reason why I love coming to work everyday.
— Allison Hogue (@allioop3p) June 14, 2023
Feeling really damn proud to be a @CollSportsComm member after this week. Relationship building is at the core of what we do. It’s with our coaches, student-athletes and one another, and it’s work that matters. So thankful for all this industry has given me.
Ready for year 7????
— Dani Gariglio (@dgarigz11) June 14, 2023
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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, College Division)
06/10/26 / All Day
2026 CSC Unite Convention in Las Vegas
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