Sarah Meier to receive CoSIDA College Division Rising Star Award at annual Convention
College Sports Information Directors of America
Meier, the Assistant Commissioner at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, will be honored for her service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession - traits which make her a “rising star” in the college athletic communications profession.
written by: Anne Abicht, St. Cloud State Director of Media Relations, a member of the CoSIDA Special Awards Committee and a College Division rep on the Board of Directors
Sarah Meier, in her fourth year as an assistant commissioner for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has been named the recipient of the 2010 College Division Rising Star Award by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
The award is presented to a College Division member with 10 years of service or less whose work at their institution and service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession make that individual a “rising star” in sports information.
As an assistant commissioner for the RMAC, Meier is the primary media contact for all 21 league-sponsored sports, administers the RMAC website, generates news releases and publications, administers and assists in all conference championships, and coordinates all NCAA statistics reporting for the league.
She began her career in sports information as a graduate assistant at St. Cloud (Minn.) State University. In 2002, she was named the Fort Lewis College Sports Information Director and served the College until 2006 when she joined the RMAC.
Meier has been a consummate professional since the first day she entered our profession. She has taken her knowledge as an athlete, as a student, as a sports information director and now as Assistant Commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and serviced her league, CoSIDA, and the NCAA with the utmost professionalism.
Among her nomination materials were these comments:
“She has been exemplary in her efforts to publicize the conference and enhance it’s image. Sarah’s work ethic and dedication is a true asset to the conference and its members. Not only has Sarah shown leadership at the conference level, but she has served with distinction on NCAA and CoSIDA Committees. This service has expanded her stature nationally and showcased her valuable talents." Joel Smith, Commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Conference
“Her organization, attention to detail, and work ethic help promote the RMAC. She takes the time to reach out when we need help, whether it is a Stat Crew question or a request for information. Sarah clearly has a passion to help sports information grow. It shows in her drive to be accurate and her professionalism, while maintaining a fun, positive attitude. “
Andy Schlichting, Metro State College Sports Information Director
Meier has been an active participant in CoSIDA, serving as a Division II Board of Directors At-Large Representative, a member of the Publications Committee, and a Daktronics Regional Awards Coordinator. On the NCAA front, Meier has served as the NCAA Women’s Soccer Central Region Chair and National Committee member and been on the Men’s and Women’s Soccer National Assignor Committee. She has been an NCAA site representative for women’s soccer, men’s soccer and volleyball championships, and an NCAA Women’s Tennis RAC member. In the RMAC, she has co-coordinated major fundraising events, and is a member of the RMAC Public Image & Branding Committee, Hall of Fame Committee, and Sportsmanship Committee.
Meier was the NCAA press conference moderator for the Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight in 2007 and 2008, and the women’s soccer Final Four in 2007 and 2009.
In May, she was presented the 2010 Judith M. Sweet Commitment Award by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA). The award is presented annually to recognize athletics administrators who are committed to providing outstanding leadership and commitment to colleagues and student-athletes in intercollegiate athletics.
Sarah received both a bachelor’s degree in mass communications (’00) and master’s degree in sports administration (’02) from St. Cloud State University. Meier was a four-year letterwinner on the St. Cloud State women’s basketball team.
She and her husband Nathan, have a son Luke and daughter Hannah.