Special Awards Salute: Mindy Brauer (MIT), CoSIDA Achievement Award
College Sports Information Directors of America
by Amie Canfield, Mount Holyoke College Sports Information Director / Scheduling Coordinator
Mindy Brauer at work in the press box and on press row.
When I received word that my friend and colleague Mindy Brauer had been named the 2016 CoSIDA Achievement Award recipient for the College Division, I was ecstatic to say the least. I rose from my chair, pumped my fist and, yes, I might have done a little dance.
I wasn’t sure how to contain my excitement and the best part was that I got to tell her she had won. After composing myself, I picked up the phone and gave her a call. We chatted for a couple of minutes, catching up mostly and then it was time for my big reveal. Was she going to be stunned, would she cry like I did last year when I’d been informed that I got my award? Finally, I told her that she had been selected as this year’s CoSIDA Achievement Award honoree from the college division.
So many scenarios ran through my head at her response, all except for the one I got. In a calm, quiet voice, Mindy replied, ‘Oh, cool. Thanks!’ I kind of stopped for a second, wondering why this wasn’t a big deal, but then I realized her response is what makes it a big deal. While I expected a grand answer, the reality is that Mindy is so incredibly humble that this was as big of a reaction as I was going to receive.
For the past 13 years, Mindy has dedicated herself to the promotion and development of the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As the assistant director of DAPER Communications, Promotions and Marketing, she has seen and done it all, always working to find ways to do more to move Engineers Athletics forward.
To those who work with her on a daily basis, the impact that she makes on her teams and student-athletes is undeniable.
“Mindy is invaluable to our operation at MIT. Frankly, I could not do it without her,” said Phil Hess, Director of DAPER Communications, Promotions and Marketing. “I can always count on Mindy to make sure all of those little things are taken care of when my attention is drawn away by other projects. She also makes sure that our opposing SIDs are very well taken care of. Mindy is one of the best at that.”
These attributes are not lost on other colleagues within the department.
“There is never a time that Mindy has not answered the call at MIT,” explained Cheryl Silva, MIT head field hockey coach and associate professor. “Despite her quiet demeanor and desire to remain behind the scenes, her impact on our programs has not gone unnoticed. Never one to call attention to herself, Mindy has demonstrated for years the same pursuit of excellence and impressive level of accomplishment so highly regarded at MIT.”
Mindy’s efforts have brought MIT into the mainstream during her career, including the establishment of webcasting partnerships, the launch of the Engineers’ presence in social media, the installation of the MIT Academic All-America® Hall of Fame, and the transition in change in vendors for the MIT Athletics website.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Assistant Athletic Director and Sports Information Director Rusty Eggen reiterated this quality.
“Mindy is the consummate professional. I am spoiled to work in the same conference as her, as you know that
Brauer top (second from left) with MIT student-athletes and below (left) with colleagues.
your teams are in good hands when you are at MIT. By working at MIT, she surrounds herself with outstanding student-athletes and she promotes their successes not only on the fields, but in the classrooms, with great talent and passion.”
“I have never seen Mindy have a ‘bad day at the office.’ The way she goes about her job and treats others should be used as a model within our profession,” added NYU Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information Jeff Bernstein.
While there have been many “entertaining interactions” with countless teams and student-athletes, the moments that impacted her the most were the events that surrounded the Boston Marathon bombing, which transcended athletics and the daily grind of SID life.
“As a city school with an open campus, it’s easy for us to live in our own bubbles,” reflected Brauer. “I learned about the strength of the MIT community as we helped each other work through the aftermath of the bombing, the death of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, and the manhunt in Watertown (where I live).
“In April 2014, we united for a campus-wide pep rally to send off our ‘MIT Strong’ marathon team. The following year we came together for the dedication of the MIT-created memorial for Officer Collier. With everything that has transpired during the past three years and how we responded, I could not be more proud to be a member of the MIT community,” Brauer noted.
Now that she’s had some time to think about it, Mindy was able channel her inner star.
“To quote Sally Field, ‘You like me! You really like me!’ All kidding aside, as someone who is incredibly humble, I’m honored to represent Division III Institutions for this award.”
Well Mindy, I think it’s safe to say that we all really liked you before this award, but now you have the proof for years to come!
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