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The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) approved a new slate of Executive Board of Directors to serve the professional athletic communications association for the 2021-22 academic year and beyond. The approval took place during its annual business meeting on June 10th. The business meeting was held as a virtual event as part of the #CoSIDA2021 virtual convention currently underway.
During the business meeting, current CoSIDA President Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet University Associate Athletic Director for Communications, passed the gavel to Cindy Potter, Senior Deputy Director of Athletics at Columbia College of Missouri.
Potter will serve as the 67th president of CoSIDA for a one-year term in 2021-22 after holding the first vice president office during this academic year. She becomes the fifth female to lead the organization and is the first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) member to serve in CoSIDA’s highest volunteer leadership position.
Potter also is just the fifth representative of CoSIDA’s College Division (comprised of NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools) to become CoSIDA President.
Atkinson will transition to Past President for the 2021-22 academic year as he completes his work on the board as an officer. He was the third sitting NCAA Division III President of the organization.
“I am excited and ready to tackle what will once again be a difficult year for our membership and colleges and universities. I am honored to serve in this role and am confident this will continue to open the door for the college division, and especially NAIA and Canadian members, to serve at the highest level,” noted Potter. “I believe CoSIDA is stronger than ever with our new leadership structure and I look forward to continued growth within our membership. I want to thank Columbia College for allowing me to dedicate time and resources towards this organization that I love and to my family for supporting me whenever I get the crazy idea to take on another task and still loving me through it all.
“It’s no secret that we will face some of our toughest times this upcoming year as things transition to the new normal. With less staff and less resources, for many of us, know that CoSIDA is dedicated to working hard to advocate for each of us. This is a grassroots effort. Instead of promoting the hours you’ve worked, promote the number of student athletes you’ve influenced. Remember why you fell in love with this profession and promote that. Advocate for that. The amazing staff and outstanding Executive Board of Directors are here to assist.”
Also elected to serve the 2,500-member CoSIDA organization for the 2021-22 term and in the presidential rotation are First Vice President Jessica Poole, Chicago State Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations and Revenue Generation; and Second Vice President John Paquette, Big East Conference Senior Associate Commissioner, Sports Media Relations. Poole will follow Potter as back-to-back female presidents for the first time in CoSIDA history. As the sixth woman in CoSIDA history to serve in the president’s role, Poole also will be the first African-American female president in the organization’s history.
Elected this month to serve as CoSIDA’s Third Vice President is Kevin Trainor, University of Arkansas Senior Associate Athletic Director/Public Relations. Trainor assumes the Third Vice President role after serving two years of his three-year term on the Executive Board.
Within CoSIDA’s revamped governance structure, new this academic year, the size of the Executive Board has been reduced in size as Divisional Cabinets and Athletic Councils have been added as part of this new leadership structure.
There is now one vacant position on the Executive Board (Trainor’s vacancy with one year left on his Board term) and that one-year position, open to any current CoSIDA member, will be filled later this summer.
Jeff Hodges (North Alabama Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications) continues as secretary of the organization and rounds out the officers.
Returning board members include:
- Danielle Percival, Piedmont College Director of Athletic Communications (term expires 2022)
- Lenny Reich, University of Mount Union Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information Director (term expires 2022)
- Michael Robles, California Community College Athletic Association Director of Sports Information and Communication (term expires 2022)
- Mary Beth Challoner, University of Toronto Manager, Events and Marketing (term expires 2023)
- Dan Ruede, University of New Haven Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications (term expires 2023)
The slate of 2021-22 Third Vice President candidates were nominated by the membership during the spring semester and were selected by the CoSIDA Nominating Committee, comprised of the organization’s past presidents and out-going Board of Director members. That Committee was chaired by Herb Vincent (Associate Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference) who served as CoSIDA’s past president during 2020-21.
Ex-Officio members are CoSIDA Executive Director Doug Vance, Associate Executive Director Will Roleson, Director of Professional Development & External Affairs Barb Kowal, Director of Membership Engagement Laurie Bollig, and Director of Creative Services Beau White.
Those rotating off the CoSIDA Board include Past President Vincent; John Kean, Missouri University of Science and Technology Sports Information Director; KatieJo Svenson, Bethany Lutheran College Sports Information Director; John Sudsbury, Allstate Sugar Bowl Director of Media Relations and Communications; and Denise Thompson, University of Delaware Associate AD for Communications and Creative Services.
