PHOENIX, Arizona, March 28. SWIMMING World is proud to announce its sixth annual Sports Information Director of the Year award. Swimming Canada's Martin Richard is the 2012 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, or other media relations professionals, 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, and always work to help the media with their daily needs.
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.
Richard particularly impressed us this year with plenty of innovative ways to help Swimming World get the word out about the sport in Canada. Not only does he provide up-to-the-minute press release information, he also facilitates media contacts throughout the year. Additionally, he spearheaded a video share system that allows for our viewers to see updated content from Swimming Canada meets, even if a media member cannot make it on deck for the competition.
Richard also has pioneered live streaming coverage at Swimming Canada via SwimCanWeb.TV, where he often provides bilingual commentary during various live streams throughout the year. He also serves as a key bilingual interviewer for many of the post-race conversations with swimmers.
“Part of Martin's strength has been at innovating how to attract and service the media so that they are part of our family at Swimming Canada, where it is not them and us, but just us,” Swimming Canada CEO and national coach Pierre Lafontaine said. “Along with the media, we all work together to promote the sport, and Martin always has a willingness to look at ways to do that. The other key strength of Martin is his relationship with all the swimmers, media, Olympic committee and everyone else. He is always out there helping someone else do a great job. He rarely worries about himself. If someone needs help, he is there. That certainly makes him a rare commodity in this world we live in.”
Other SIDs were named honorable mention for the award based on their strong professional work.
2012 Honorees:
SIDs of the Year: Martin Richard (Swimming Canada)
Honorable Mention:
Collegiate Ranks:
Niall Adler (Stanford), Scott Ball (California), Jason Behenna (Seattle), Ben Blevins (Texas), Dean Caparaz (California), Steven Colquitt (Georgia), Susie Epp (Arizona), Paul Goldberg (Southern California), Justin Kischefsky (Navy), Brad Marquardt (Texas A&M), Doug Meffley (Northwestern), Jenn Mereby (Florida), Todd Mounce (Tennessee), Katharine Palmer (Virginia), Melanie Schneider (Indiana), Wes Todd (Auburn)
National Governing Body Ranks:
Jamie Fabos Olsen (USA Swimming), Ian Hepenstall (Swimming New Zealand), Karen Linhart (USA Swimming), Jennifer Lowery (USA Diving), Greg Mescall (USA Water Polo), Lachlan Searle (Swimming Australia), Matt Whewell (USA Swimming)
2011 Honorees:
SID of the Year: Steve Colquitt (Georgia)
Honorable Mention:
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).
Click here for 2011 announcement.
2010 Honorees:
SIDs of the Year: Kelly Reynolds (Florida), Melanie Schneider (Indiana)
Honorable Mention:
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.