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PHOENIX, Arizona, May 1. AFTER a thorough review of all media guides submitted from collegiate media relations departments throughout the country, Swimming World Magazine is proud to announce that Auburn University's combined men's and women's guide earned top honors in the inaugural Media Guide of the Year contest.
The 2006-07 Auburn Swimming and Diving media guide was a publication of the Auburn Athletic Media Relations Office. Writing, editing, layout and design were completed by Associate Director of Media Relations Carol White. Meanwhile, page top/bottom design elements were created by Doug Van Wie.
Each submitted guide was judged on a 100-point scale derived from the following percentages: 30 points for record section, 30 points for history section, 15 points for athlete bios, 15 points for coach bios and 10 points for the overall look and design of the publication.
With the increased emphasis on the section of each guide commonly known in the media relations field as "the back section", those books that gave proper attention to the history of their programs as well as maintained a deep and accurate record book shot up the charts during judging.
After judging each submission, Swimming World Magazine then separated each group of guides into Superior, Outstanding and Excellent groupings. Instead of instituting a "top-five" or "top-10" requirement, we felt that every guide that does it right should be honored.
Auburn's guide emerged with the most points and is one of two Superior-rated guides. White truly did an amazing job of capturing all of the superlatives of Auburn's program and presenting them in an easy-to-read format.
The other Superior ranking went to the Texas A&M women's guide, which already won Swimming World Magazine's Media Guide Cover of the Year award.
Probably the best-looking guide of any submitted, the Aggies' guide was written, compiled, designed and edited by Assistant Media Relations Director Chris Harrell.
Harrell really put an emphasis on highlighting the fun parts of the sport. While he did a great job in the record and history section, he really stood out with a well-presented bio section.
Notre Dame earned both Outstanding ratings with a pair of impressive guides for both men's and women's swimming. The men's guide was written and edited by Assistant Sports Information Director Sean Carroll, while Sports Information Assistant Joe Prisco – along with student assistants Perry Shoemaker and Kate Harrington – put together the women's guide.
The most impressive part of each of Notre Dame's guides was a school-record progression back to the 1990-91 season. This type of information would greatly improve any swimming guide which adopted the section.
A trio of other guides earned Excellent ratings. Wisconsin's combined book, written by Brian Lee with assistance from Mitchell Pinta, as well as Navy's women's and men's guides, compiled by Justin Kischefsky and Kelli Sheesley, did solid jobs of providing content necessary for adequately covering each school.
For those coaches or media relations contacts wanting their guides to be considered for next year's awards, please mail a copy of your guides to:
Swimming World Magazine
Attn: Jason Marsteller
2744 East Glenrosa
Phoenix, AZ 85016
MEDIA GUIDE OF THE YEAR
Auburn University (Combined), Carol White
SUPERIOR GUIDES
Auburn University (Combined), Carol White
Texas A&M University (Women's), Chris Harrell
OUTSTANDING GUIDES
University of Notre Dame (Men's), Sean Carroll
University of Notre Dame (Women's), Joe Prisco, Perry Shoemaker, Kate Harrington
EXCELLENT GUIDES
University of Wisconsin (Combined), Brian Lee, Mitchell Pinta
United States Naval Academy (Men's), Justin Kischefsky, Kelly Sheesley
United States Naval Academy (Women's), Justin Kischefsky, Kelly Sheesley
One thing must be noted. Indiana University's women's and men's guides were not eligible for inclusion in the contest due to Swimming World Magazine managing editor Jason Marsteller's involvement in creating the guides. Until this past year, Marsteller served as the Assistant Media Relations Director in charge of swimming and diving at IU. Next year, however, Indiana's guides will be allowed in the competition.
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