Back when I was a full functioning sports information director, I liked to claim that I was a composite of the two sports information directors that I had trained under at Luther and Gustavus. They are tremendous individuals whom I have the greatest professional respect for. But they do have differences in the way they do their jobs. In those instances where they differ, I tried to follow what fit for me and Buena Vista. However, their similarities outweigh their differences. Anything that they both did I adopted as gospel. This was a good idea as it set me up for a positive three years at Buena Vista.
As sports information directors, we are a part of the College Sports Information Directors of America, or CoSiDA. Both of my previous bosses are active members of this professional organizations. In addition to honoring outstanding scholar athletes with its Academic All-American program, CoSIDA also has contests for sports information directors to submit their publications and stories.
I don’t think either of my former bosses regularly submit their work into these contests. After all, our job is to promote our students and the school, not ourselves. I whole heartily agree with that way of thinking, so I followed suit. I never entered any contests. Until last spring that is.
I knew that my days as a sports information director were coming to a close. I kept getting email reminders of the deadline for the CoSIDA writing contest was approaching and I kept thinking about the story I wrote about one of our wrestlers. I thought that it was an interesting story (I even posted it here on this website). I decided to submit it, thinking that it might be good enough to receive recognition in the athlete profile category of my district, which covers Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.
I didn’t ever hear anything, so I figured I didn’t win. Oh well. Then this weekend I ran into another Luther grad who is a sports information director who said that he enjoyed reading my article and I believe he said he read it in the CoSIDA Digest, which I no longer receive. I thought that it meant I had received some sort of recognition, so I checked out their website . At the risk of sounding braggadocios, this is what I found out.
My article was selected as the top athlete profile in the nation, all divisions. The runners-up came from the University of Michigan and the University of Oklahoma. My story was also selected as the third best story of the year, all categories, all divisions. The national story of the year came from Princeton.
Surely others are like my former bosses and don’t routinely submit their work. Still, nearly 300 stories that someone thought were worthy of recognition were submitted, and I am proud to have been recognized. It’s always nice to be praised by peers.
at 10:28 am
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, Nicholas, this reminds me of when your Senior paper from Luther was submitted for international competition. That was a great article about your wrestler. You have a way of writing that is utterly amazing. And do keep writing on this blog. You don’t know how many people tell me that they read it.
Love and hugs to you and Ann.
at 11:19 am
Oh, Nick, I’m so glad for you! I told you Saturday in the Luther CAF what an outstanding writer I believe you’ve become…and it’s nice to see people other than me (and your mom!) ALSO recognize your fine gift and developed talent.
Does anyone else out there think this blog ought to be more widely shared? If so, any ideas how to get it to more people?
at 4:44 pm
Laus,
This is fabulous news–congratulations! So odd that no one from the organization notified you of your win/placing. Don’t suppose there is a cash prize involved(?) :-0
at 5:43 pm
Woooooohooooo for you!
Way to go Idaho! What continues to be the most amazing thing to me is that you write your blog (and that article too?) with your eyes….one…..letter…..at…..a…..time. I’m blown away by that fact.
Congrats on your recognition, certainly well deserved!
Love and Hugs from Illinois
at 9:12 pm
WOW…..You never cease to amaze me Nick. Way to go!! That IS a great article. U of Michigan, U of OK, Princeton and BVU. Yeah, they seem to go together rather well. I can just hear people saying “where the heck is Buena Vista University?”
Seriously, I am beaming with pride. Congrats to a very talented and humble writer. You deserve it!!!
at 12:50 am
some of us have known for years that you belonged on staff at SI. Winning a national athlete profile writing contest seems like a good start to me.
at 9:37 am
That is so cool, Nick! I remember sitting in the office with him that day and listening to his story…you did an excellent job, just as you do with everything. I’m pretty sure I learned from one of the best!
at 5:33 pm
Nick:
We are proud of you! Congratulations from me and the kiddos; I know Mike has sent his previously. You are an EXTREMELY TALENTED WRITER!!!!!!!!!! When you are able , I would love if you submit more writing materials for contests. You’re awesome.
Love,
US
at 2:34 pm
It’s courageous to put word to paper. (Although, this is a courage you display everyday on this blog.) I’m so glad you honored that courage with an even greater amount of it–submitting your work for evaluation. What a tremendous honor to have that courage rewarded in such a tangible way! CONGRATULATIONS, NICK! Keep those words coming; we all benefit from your written courage.