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Gallaudet University

OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY BISON
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY BISON

Student-Athlete Handbook: Media Relations and Awards

Revised: August 2024

Athletic Communications

Primary Function
The athletic communication office is responsible for the publicity and promotion of Gallaudet University's 16 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports. The primary functions of the office are:

  • Media Relations: This function includes but is not limited to, producing and disseminating press releases; hosting newspaper and television outlets at campus sporting events; reporting event results to primary media outlets; and responding to media requests for information on Gallaudet's varsity teams.
  • Website: Athletic Communications writes, designs, and edits the Gallaudet University Athletics website – www.GallaudetBison.com and runs and monitors Gallaudet athletics' social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and other outlets.
  • Maintenance of statistical file: Athletic Communications maintains cumulative statistical files on all sports. The department maintains in-game statistics at home events for those sports that have NCAA statistics and require statistics crews (football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball). In-game statistics for all other sports are maintained by designated athletic/team personnel and reported to athletic communications. Athletic Communications also submits statistical reports to the United East Conference and other conference affiliations and NCAA. Student-athletes should report statistical discrepancies to their respective head coach.
  • Event Planning/Game Operations: The department plays a vital role in the planning and implementation of the year-end Sports Awards Ceremony, the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and other athletics related events as needed. The Athletic Communications works with the Game Operations staff to make sure there is an enjoyable and safe atmosphere at our home venues.

Location
The Gallaudet University Athletic Communications Office is a part of the Gallaudet University Department of Athletics. Its office is located in the Field House, room 106. Athletic Communication personnel can be reached via e-mail appointment, or by visiting the office.

Staff
Sam Atkinson, Associate Athletic Director for Communications, heads the Gallaudet University Athletic Communication staff and assisted by Athletic Communications Coordinator Bruce Saperstein. The office staff also employs several student assistants and will take on interns on an as-needed basis during the sports seasons. He can be reached via e-mail sportsinfo@gallaudet.edu.  

Email List
The athletic communication department distributes emails and post information on social media platforms after each story is written. We encourage all student-athletes to check their e-mails regularly. If you do not receive the e-mails, please sign up online and select the sports release you want to receive. Click All Sports to never miss a story. The signup link is here: https://gallaudetbison.com/subscribe.aspx.

Social Media
The athletic communications office operates Gallaudet athletics official social media pages. Coaches and athletic staff encourage student-athletes to be careful with their personal social media pages. It is encouraged that you protect your accounts and not post negative pictures, comments that would violate NCAA rules or give the athletic team and University negative press for such actions. Any public social media page can be viewed by anyone so think twice before you post something.

Student Athletes and the Media
Although not all student-athletes will be faced with media interviews and/or coverage during their playing careers, there are facts that everyone donning the Buff and Blue should know.

  1. When dealing with the media, all athletes should bear in mind that they are not only representing themselves, but the team and Gallaudet. Proper discretion should be used in all cases—including interviews with campus media such as the Buff and Blue or the Tower Clock. Please do not curse, talk badly about your team, teammates, coaches, or other GU team(s), staff, fans, opponents, conference.
  2. All requests for interviews with student-athletes should come through the athletic communication office.
  3. A athletic communications or coaching staff member will attempt to contact the student-athlete when a member of the media requests an interview. An interpreter will be provided if needed.
  4. If a member of the media contacts a student-athlete directly, the student-athlete should immediately inform the athletic communications office prior to any interview.
  5. Prompt response by the student-athlete to interview requests is important. Most reporters work on strict deadlines.
  6. Interviews are not to be conducted during student-athlete class time.
  7. The athletic communications office can help student-athletes prepare for media interviews. Those interested in this service should inform their respective head coaches.

Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony & Awards Criteria

In May, on study day, the Gallaudet University athletics department will hold an awards ceremony where all student-athletes are expected to attend. The dress code for the event is business casual. All details will be announced through the athletics department and shared by your head coach.

The following are the department awards that will be distributed.

Al Van Nevel Memorial Award
A senior student-athlete who holds a GPA of 3.5 or better, demonstrates positive leadership on and off the court/field and consistently exhibits good sportsmanship on and off the court/field.

Spielberger Award (team managers)

a. Makes valuable contributions to the programs
b. Shows a positive attitude towards players, staff, and coaches
c. Work hard and meet coach's expectations

Bison Unsung Hero Award

  • Makes valuable contributions to the programs
  • Generally works in the background, making it possible for others to succeed
  • Works hard but whose work usually goes unrecognized

BisonStrong

  • Commitment to excellence in training during off season
  • Makes valuable contributions to the programs
  • Works hard and exceeds coach's expectations

Bison Comeback Award

  • Who missed most of last season and recovered from the injury
  • Overcome a significant obstacle to return to a high level of competition due to injury
  • Dedicated and consistent with rehabilitation program

Bison Student-Athlete of the Year

  • Demonstrates leadership
  • Outstanding top performer
  • Good sportsmanship
  • A role model on and off the field/court

Bison Scholar-Athlete Award

  • Top 10 Cumulative GPA
  • Seniors Only
  • At least three semesters

Bison Four-Year Athlete Award

  • A student-athlete who has participated all four years
  • Must start and finish all four years and not be dismissed or quit team
  • Cannot be on academic probation (AP) during athletic season
  • Cheerleaders, student team managers also qualify
  • Must remain in good standing as a student and student-athlete

Bison Rookie of the Year

  • First-year student-athlete
  • True freshman (no transfers)
  • Shows motivation
  • Meets or exceeds coach's expectations

BISON AWARD

  • Voted on by student-athletes for each team focused on the following criteria, one student-athlete per team
    • Respect
    • Positivity
    • Teamwork
    • Discipline
    • Character

Michael Weinstock Fan of the Year
Gallaudet faculty, staff member(s), or friends of the Athletics Department that show great Bison spirit, attend multiple athletic events and supports many of GU's athletic teams. No family member(s) are eligible. 

John Perry Assistant Coach of the Year
Awarded to a Gallaudet assistant coach that shows Gallaudet Pride, Gallaudet Spirit and commitment. The award is named in honor of the late John Perry, a longtime men's basketball assistant coach.

Graduate Assistant/Student Coach Award
Awarded to a Gallaudet athletics graduate assistant or student coach that has gone above and beyond to help their team or office reach new feats and success during the school year. Someone, who is also successful in the classroom. 

Outstanding Faculty Member Award
Award to a faculty member who is supportive to the Athletics Department and its student-athletes. Must be a current or former faculty mentor to be eligible.

Bison Spirit Award
Awarded to the top Gallaudet cheerleader who has demonstrated excellent Bison spirit and has been a leader and dedicated contributor to the Gallaudet cheerleading program. The award is determined by the Gallaudet cheerleading head coach.

Team Community Service
Award honors the team that did the most impactful community service project or services during the year.

Team Awards
Each varsity team will have a Team Most Valuable Player, Team Coaches' Award, Team Most Improved Player as selected by the head coach and awarded at your team banquet. All honorees will be recognized at the end of the year banquet as well.

Record-Breaking Performance
Top moments during the season will be featured during the sports banquet with a list of names and stats. Accomplishments can also include international/national and Deaflympics competitions.

Senior Awards
On Senior Day, usually the last home event/game of the season, the head coach and team will pay tribute to their seniors. The head coach works with the Athletic Communications Office, weeks and even months prior to Senior Day, to coordinate the Senior Day Plaques that are designed and awarded to that season's seniors. It is important for the head coach to verify senior status prior to your season starting. A student-athlete can only receive one senior plaque per sport.

All-Conference, All-Region, All-America procedures
Head coaches supply a list of names to the Athletic Communications Director prior to all-conference nominations and voting. Those names put forwarded are then voted on by that respective sports' coaches from that conference. All-Region and All-America awards are organized by coaches' groups. Your head coach must be a member of your coaches group to be nominated for these awards. The head coach and SID will determine who should be nominated for these awards.

College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Awards
To be eligible for CSC Academic honors, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her athletic communications director. If a student-athlete earns All-District First Team honors they are then eligible to be nominated for Academic All-America honors, that gets voted on by a national committee.

Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society
To be eligible a student-athlete must have a 3.40 grade point average or higher, must be of good moral character, be a varsity sport letterwinner and be a junior or senior academic and athletic standing.

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