From Washington University Athletics
Washington University in St. Louis Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Chris Mitchell was named the recipient of the 2018 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Warren Berg award, as announced by the organization.
The Warren Berg award is presented annually to a CoSIDA college member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college athletic communications, and who, by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession.
Mitchell is in his 17th season at WashU and is responsible for all strategic communications for Washington University's 19 athletic programs, including directing all media, public relations and social networking efforts. In addition to managing the athletic department's official website (WashUBears.com), he oversees all video coverage and serves as the primary contact for football, men's and women's soccer, men's basketball, softball and men's and women's tennis.
Over the past year, WashU collected three NCAA Division III National Championships upping its total to 22 all-time in Bears history. Mitchell provided stellar reporting of WashU's first women's soccer national championship.
The Granite City, Ill.-native also provided in depth access to the NCAA Woman of the Year event as WashU's Lizzy Crist was named the 2017 recipient. He also doubled down his responsibilities at the NCAA Top-10 Award Ceremony with WashU earning two honors in Crist and Deko Ricketts.
The Warren Berg award will be presented at the 51st annual CoSIDA national convention June 27-30 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.
STATEMENT FOR ATTRIBUTION TO
ANTHONY J. AZAMA, JOHN M. SCHAEL DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
Since the day I arrived Chris is first class and a resource not only for me but also for our coaches, student-athletes and Bear Nation. Having the majority of my experience at the Division 1 level, seeing the sheer amount of personnel covering teams and student athletes, it's amazing the ground Chris is able to cover while simultaneously making sure our true student-athletes for 19 sports receive the recognition they earn.
STATEMENT FOR ATTRIBUTION TO
JEFFREY BERNSTEIN, NYU ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF SPORTS INFORMATION
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Chris knows every facet of what it takes to be great at what he does, and he utilizes those skills on a daily basis. He never stops representing his university and his profession with high-quality work. And, on top of all that, he is a high-quality person. We are fortunate that Chris shares his skills not only with WashU, but with all of us involved with CoSIDA. His work on various committees has greatly benefited and enhanced the organization.
STATEMENT FOR ATTRIBUTION TO
LIZZY CRIST, 2017 NCAA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS CLASS OF 2017
Having spent four years with Chris at WashU, it is very apparent that he goes above and beyond what is expected of an SID. If you were to join him on a weekend trip with any team, you would see him on his computer, compiling quotes and crafting stories, only minutes after the event had taken place. While everyone else around him is celebrating or leaving, Chris manages to center himself on the work in front of him and accomplish more than what is asked of him. He is truly committed to his job beyond game-day communications activities.
STATEMENT FOR ATTRIBUTION TO
MARY ANN MITCHELL, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ST. LOUIS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND WIFE OF CHRIS MITCHELL
Chris embodies all the traits that this award is presented for on a daily basis in his job at WashU – he has made outstanding contributions to the field of sports information, and brings prestige and honor to the profession. He doesn't see being an SID as a job, but as a passion. He is someone who works hard for WashU Athletics, his coaches and especially his student-athletes. He enjoys seeing them succeed – both on and off the field – and is passionate about promoting those successes.
STATEMENT FOR ATTRIBUTION TO
JAY MURRY, PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER ON THE WASHU BEARS SPORTS NETWORK
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
Chris Mitchell is in a class by himself in the realm of sports information. He is the best in college sports, at all levels of the NCAA, NAIA, and any other collegiate sports entity. He proves that every day; not only directing the conventional sports information efforts at WashU, but he also spearheads the administration of the broadcasting arm of the department and is the visionary leader behind our relentless incorporation of all forms of social media into the success of our sports information department. If Sports Information Combined was an Olympic event, Chris would win multiple gold medals in it. That is why he is worthy of the prestigious Warren Berg Award.
STATEMENT FOR ATTRIBUTION TO
SEAN WALLIS, 2018 WASHU HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS CLASS OF 2009
Chris' commitment to WashU has been an absolute game changer for the athletic department. His endless hours of work and dedication has brought a "high major" type of feel to the program for student athletes. The countless number of game notes, press releases, interviews, live stats and video streams have helped connect parents, family, friends, alumni and fans to the different teams in a special way. As an SID a lot of times people let him know when stats are wrong or typos are made so I couldn't be happier that Chris is being recognized for his incredible work at Wash U truly helping elevate the student athlete experience.