MAY 28, 2003

GENERAL ATHLETICS NEWS:

SAFFORD EARNS SPORTS INFORMATION AWARD: The College of Idaho SID, Mike Safford Jr., was named today the Cascade Conference SID-of-the-Year.  Safford, who is beginning his third-year as a member of the Coyote staff, won the award from the ten-team conference.  A secret ballot from each school completed the selection process.  “It is an honor to win this award, especially since it was selected by my peers,” Safford said.  “This has been an extremely tough year to promote athletics at Albertson with what we have had to go through, but just as our coaches, staff, and student-athletes did, I persevered.”  The 27-year-old has served as the chair of the Cascade Conference SID’s for the last two years, during which he wrote the first-ever manual for SID’s in the Northwest.  The manual, which contains day-to-day knowledge and statistical guidance for new media relation persons, has become an asset for schools who have struggled in building connections with local newspapers, television stations, and radio personnel.  During the past year, Safford has upgraded the Albertson athletic website – the first frontpage redesign since 2000, and compiled historical research for each of the 12 Coyote intercollegiate sports.  He also served as a network broadcaster for the NAIA at the 2002 College World Series and the 2003 NAIA Basketball Tournament.  During his six years as an SID, Safford has earned seven top-ten awards for excellence in publications by the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association, including a “Best in the Nation” award for the 2001-02 Basketball Brochure.  He also has earned a pair of top-five honors in publication contests held by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).  “My job is to promote the Coyotes, the Cascade Conference, and the NAIA to the media in the Treasure Valley and beyond.  The exposure of small-college athletics and character development of student-athlete is what drives me to succeed day in and day out,” said Safford.

OVERALL TEAM RECAP: Three national tournament appearances (men’s basketball, men’s skiing, women’s skiing, women’s golf), three conference championships (men’s basketball, men’s skiing, women’s skiing), seven regional tournament appearances (men’s soccer, men’s skiing, women’s skiing, baseball, men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s tennis), five conference tournament appearances (men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball).

ALL-AMERICANS:  Men’s Soccer – Drake Jakovac, Jake Steele; Volleyball – Kristyn Price; Men’s Basketball – Tom Perkes; Women’s Skiing – Cassie Marcial; Baseball – Todd Howell, Greg Stalling, Darren Uranga, Dustin Garcia.