Navigating the World of College Sports Communicators
College Sports Communicators (CSC) is a multifaceted field, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities related to strategic communication, creative content, and digital engagement within intercollegiate athletics. Understanding the roles and the organization that supports these professionals provides valuable insight into the landscape of sports communication.
The Role of College Sports Communicators
College Sports Communicators are strategic, creative and digital professionals. These professionals work across all levels for colleges, universities, and conferences across the United States and Canada. The responsibilities of a college sports communicator are diverse, but revolve around promoting the athletic programs and achievements of their institution.
College Sports Communicators (CSC): An Overview
Founded in 1957, College Sports Communicators is a 4,700+ member national association for strategic, creative, and digital communicators across intercollegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. Formerly known as the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization rebranded in 2022. This was to position itself as a more inclusive organization for communicators in all types of roles and to lead an industry change where strategic and creative professionals are more aligned. The current name of the organization was adopted following a membership-wide vote on Aug. The name change signaled a major step in a larger strategic plan to highlight the association’s evolution and expansion. Celebrating its 65th year during the 2021-22 academic year, the organization is the second oldest management association in all of intercollegiate athletics.
Historical Context
Prior to the formation of the organization as CoSIDA in the mid 1950s, sports information directors as a group were a part of the American College Public Relations Association. Most SIDs at those ACPRA meetings eventually felt that a separate organization was needed and that led to CoSIDA’s formation.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
CSC provides year-round leadership, community, professional development/education, recognition, and advocacy for its members. CSC’s Executive Board of Directors is comprised of elected officer positions (President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President, immediate Past President, Secretary, At-Large Representatives). In the summer of 2020, the association strengthened its divisional leadership with the creation of a divisional cabinet structure. Each division (NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, Canadian Institutions, Two-Year Colleges, and Past Presidents) is composed of a 10-member cabinet. One member of each cabinet comprises the Advisory Council. Jason Yaman serves as the organization's fourth Executive Director as of March 10, 2025. He succeeded Erik Christianson who held the role from June 13, 2022 to August 23, 2024. Doug Vance, a member of CoSIDA’s Hall of Fame and a former president of the organization, served in the role from September 18, 2013 until his retirement on July 31, 2022.
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Key Initiatives and Programs
CSC’s signature work includes the annual CSC Unite convention each June and the administration of the prestigious Academic All-America® program and Hall of Fame. CSC’s membership first reached the 3,000 mark during the 2013-14 school year and has topped that threshold each year since with the exception of the 2020-21 Covid-19 pandemic year.
Academic All-America® Program
College Sports Communicators founded in the mid 1950s the highly regarded Academic All-America® program, unquestionably regarded as the premier awards program in intercollegiate athletics for honoring combined academic and athletic excellence. CSC members nominate and vote for Academic All-America® teams in 16 sport contests in all NCAA and NAIA divisions including men's soccer, women's soccer, football, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, men's tennis, women's tennis, baseball, softball, men's at-large, women's at-large, men's track & field and women's track & field. Google Cloud served as the title sponsor of the program from May of 2018 to August 2019. Capital One served as the program's title sponsor from January 2012 to July of 2015.
Academic All-America® Hall of Fame
Created in 1988, the Academic All-America® Hall of Fame recognizes Academic All-Americas® who have achieved lifetime success in their professional careers and are committed to philanthropic causes in the communities where they reside. Four to five deserving candidates are inducted at an annual awards ceremony.
CSC Inclusion Fellowship
Now in its fifth year, the CSC Inclusion Fellowship is an educational series for select members of CSC designed to provide insights into issues around inclusive best practices, values, and opportunities for communication and creative professionals in college athletics. “This Fellowship is one of the most impactful initiatives we have for our CSC members. It says a great deal about our leadership and I am very proud of our organization for remaining committed to this educational opportunity in today’s climate,” said Scottie Rodgers, CSC Inclusion Fellowship co-founder, CSC Inclusion Committee chair and vice president of communications at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Program faculty will include highly regarded thought leaders from within college athletics and outside the industry. “We are proud to welcome the 2025-26 class of the CSC Inclusion Fellowship,” said Executive Director Jason Yaman. “This exceptional group of dynamic professionals represents the best of our industry - bringing diverse voices, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to advancing inclusion in sports communications. The work done annually by this group only strengthens the future of our profession.
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