(BOSTON, Mass.) - Albertus Magnus College Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director Kristen DeCarli was voted the 2012 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Sports Information Director of the Year. The announcement was made by GNAC Commissioner Joe Walsh in advance of the 2012 GNAC Professional Development Seminar on August 7 and 8 in Boston, Massachusetts. DeCarli will accept her award on the final day of the seminar.
Presented annually to members of the GNAC, there are three recognized honors as the conference selects an Executive of the Year, Sports Information Director of the Year and Athletic Trainer of the Year. All award winners were nominated by someone from within the conference and then voted on by their peers. The GNAC Executive of the Year was St. Joseph's (Maine) Athletic Director Brian Curtin, and the Athletic Trainer of the Year was Chris Troyanos of Lasell College.
“Brian, Kristen and Chris are three outstanding candidates for their respective awards,” said Walsh. “They come highly recommended by their peers and embody the GNAC philosophy of Community, Integrity and Sportsmanship.”
Hired in July of 2011 after working as an Athletic Communications Assistant at the University of Connecticut, DeCarli made an immediate impact at Albertus, revamping athletic communications operations for the Falcons' 14-sport athletic program. Her work included the re-developement of the albertusfalcons.com website, and significant media relations efforts, as well as a major role in the department-wide initiative to enhance the new athletic brand identity and logo. DeCarli also took on the role as Senior Woman Administrator, and has served on several campus-wide committees.
"We're all very proud of Kristen for this well-deserved honor. Kristen's tremendous impact on our athletic program began almost immediately upon her hire, and I am thrilled that her efforts were recognized by her peers within the GNAC," said Director of Athletics Michael Spinner. "There is no more demanding position in a college athletic program than the Sports Information Director, and Kristen has gone above and beyond the call of duty to excel in what was essentially a brand-new position. She has also proven to be an integral member of our team.
"We just enjoyed one of the most successful academic years in the history of the Albertus Magnus College Athletic Department, and the experience of our student-athletes was strengthened significantly by Kristen's outstanding skill set, and tireless work ethic." added Spinner. "Ultimately, a quality SID is able to enhance every facet of an athletic program, and I am proud that we have a great SID in Kristen DeCarli, who's just that."