Marian’s Wadley Awarded as CL’s SID of the Year
AVON, Ohio – The Crossroads League announced on Tuesday that Zach Wadley from Marian University had been named its 2017-2018 Sports Information Director of the Year.
The award is the first of Wadley’s young career, as the rising star recently completed his second full year as the Marian SID.
“This is quite an honor and I am very thankful,” said Wadley. “We have a great group of SIDs in the Crossroads League and they push me to do my best each day I come to work. I want to thank our Assistant SID, Mitch Huppert, for his work throughout the year and I want to thank our Athletic Director, Steve Downing, and Assistant AD, Cassie Mackell, for their support. Lastly, we have a wonderful group of coaches and student-athletes at Marian and I am thankful they allow me to work with them and tell their stories.”
During the 2017-2018 year, Wadley and his department unveiled a completely redesigned MUKnights.com and produced over 700 stories and nearly 150 videos for the new-look site, while continually gaining exposure throughout the Indianapolis market on several major media outlets.
The efforts extended onto social media, where Marian surpassed 5,500 followers on Twitter over the past year after posting the second-largest increase in the NAIA during the 2016-2017 year. Wadley also oversaw rapid growth of MU’s new Instagram account.
In addition to Wadley’s online work, the second-year SID also oversaw the hosting of parts of five Crossroads League Championship events, including the entirety of the softball, cross country and track and field championships. Wadley also served as the primary media contact for the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round and helped the Knights claim 40 Crossroads League Athlete-of-the-Week awards.
“This is a well-deserved award for Zach,” stated Marian Athletic Director Steve Downing. “In the two short years he has been at Marian, he has elevated the visibility of the athletics program. Zach has also been an asset for the Crossroads League and its championship events. This award is special because of the quality SIDs we have in the league and I am very proud of Zach.
The Crossroads League Sports Information Director-of-the-Year award is nominated by the 10 Athletic Directors from the Crossroads League and voted on by the ADs and SIDs from around the league.
Crossroads League Sports Information Director of the Year Recipients
2017-2018 – Zach Wadley, Marian
2016-2017 – Seth Mikel, Taylor
2015-2016 – Josh Neuhart, Grace
2014-2015 – Seth Mikel, Taylor
2013-2014 – Geoff Sherman, Marian