PHOENIX, Arizona, April 6. SWIMMING World is proud to announce its fifth annual Sports Information Director of the Year award. Georgia's Steven Colquitt is the 2011 honoree for the award. The Swimming World SID of the Year award is an "editor's award" chosen solely by General Manager of Media Properties Jason Marsteller, a former SID.
SIDs are the experts who can make life so much easier for media members within sports. This type of public relations professional is even more necessary in sports like swimming that don't get the usual amount of media attention that football, baseball or basketball do at the national level. The great SIDs are the ones that are always finding ways to make sure that their constituents get the credit they deserve.
With these concepts in mind, Swimming World considered not only how well SIDs facilitated our own media requests throughout the year but also how they worked to promote their own programs in ways outside of Swimming World.
Additionally, we are willing to take nominations from coaches and athletics departments, and that was one of the keys to Colquitt winning this year. When an Olympic coach like Jack Bauerle approaches you, and asks you to seriously consider his SID for the award, that speaks volumes. Bauerle and the Georgia Bulldogs all enjoy their time with Colquitt, and he has worked hard with superstars like Allison Schmitt being on campus.
Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle:
We are all exceptionally proud of Steve to win this prestigious award from Swimming World. He works extremely hard not just during the collegiate season but during the long course season as well. He was been great for our team.
Georgia Senior Associate Athletic Director – Sports Communications Claude Felton:
Steve is the consummate professional who is devoted to his family, dedicated to his work, and loyal to the organization. He's unselfish and is always willing to help others in any way. The coaches with whom he works have great admiration for him and also appreciate the work he does on behalf of their sports as well as that of the University of Georgia
Other SIDs were named honorable mention for the award based on their strong professional work.
2011 Honorees:
Collegiate Ranks:
Niall Adler (Stanford), Jerry Emig (Ohio State), Travis Feldhaus (Texas), Paul Goldberg (Southern California), Blake Grimsley (Arizona), Justin Kischefsky (Navy), Kendra Lee (Auburn), Brad Marquardt (Texas A&M), Doug Meffley (Northwestern), Todd Mounce (Tennessee), Kyle Niblett (Florida), Katharine Palmer (Virginia), Melanie Schneider (Indiana).
National Governing Body Ranks:
Jamie Fabos Olsen (USA Swimming), Yana Ivanova (Swimming South Africa), Karen Linhart (USA Swimming), Jennifer Lowery (USA Diving), Greg Mescall (USA Water Polo), Taylor Payne (USA Synchro), Martin Richard (Swimming Canada), Lachlan Searle (Swimming Australia).
2010 Honorees:
SIDs of the Year: Kelly Reynolds (Florida), Melanie Schneider (Indiana)
Collegiate Ranks:
Niall Adler (Stanford), Steven Colquitt (Georgia), Jerry Emig (Ohio State), Travis Feldhaus (Texas), Paul Goldberg (Southern California), Blake Grimsley (Arizona), Justin Kischefsky (Navy), Kendra Lee (Auburn), Doug Meffley (Northwestern), Katharine Palmer (Virginia), Derek Satterfield (Purdue), Zach Stipe (Tennessee).
National Governing Body Ranks:
Jamie Fabos Olsen (USA Swimming), Erin Greene (USA Swimming), Yana Ivanova (Swimming South Africa), Karen Linhart (USA Swimming), Jennifer Lowery (USA Diving), Greg Mescall (USA Water Polo), Taylor Payne (USA Synchro), Martin Richard (Swimming Canada), Lachlan Searle (Swimming Australia).
Click here for 2010 announcement.
2009 Honorees:
SIDs of the Year: Chris Harrell, Texas A&M; Justin Kischefsky, Navy
Honorable Mention:
Collegiate Ranks:
Matt Crouch (Auburn), Travis Feldhaus (Texas), Paul Goldberg (Southern California), Brad Marquardt (Texas A&M), Doug Meffley (Northwestern), Kelly Reynolds (Florida), Derek Satterfield (Purdue), Melanie Schneider (Indiana), Zach Stipe (Tennessee), Gary Thorne (Auburn).
National Governing Body Ranks:
Jamie Fabos Olsen (USA Swimming), Erin Greene (USA Swimming), Ian Hanson (Swimming Australia), Yana Ivanova (Swimming South Africa), Karen Linhart (USA Swimming), Jennifer Lowery (USA Diving), Greg Mescall (USA Water Polo), Taylor Payne (USA Synchro), Martin Richard (Swimming Canada), Cameron Schuh (NCAA).
Click here for 2009 announcement.
2008 Honorees:
SID of the Year: Travis Feldhaus, Texas
Honorable Mention:
Collegiate Ranks:
Matt Crouch (Auburn), Paul Goldberg (Southern California), Chris Harrell (Texas A&M), Jeremiah Hergott (Michigan), Jeff Keiser (Minnesota), Justin Kischefsky (Navy), Kendra Lee (Ohio State), Chris Macaluso (Purdue), Doug Meffley (Northwestern), Jessica Raber (Washington), Casey Self (Tennessee), Jakob Skipper (William & Mary), Ryan Sosin (Michigan).
National Governing Body Ranks:
Jamie Fabos (USA Swimming), Erin Greene (USA Swimming), Ian Hanson (Swimming Australia), Yana Ivanova (Swimming South Africa), Karen Linhart (USA Swimming), Martin Richard (Swimming Canada).
Click here for 2008 announcement.
2007 Honorees:
SID of the Year: Doug Meffley, Northwestern
Honorable Mention: Travis Feldhaus (Texas), Paul Goldberg (Southern California), Chris Harrell (Texas A&M), Jeff Keiser (Minnesota), Justin Kischefsky (Navy), Kristie Le (Atlantic Coast Conference), Jakob Skipper (William & Mary).
Click here for 2007 announcement.