The University of Mississippi Athletics
Langston Rogers To Receive CoSIDA's Arch Ward Award
June 20, 2001
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Already renowned for a distinguished career of quality and quantity, University of Mississippi Associate Athletic Director for Sports Information Langston Rogers will be presented the 2001 Arch Ward Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) at their annual workshop July 4 in San Diego.
The award is bestowed annually upon a CoSIDA member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of college sports information, and who by his or her activities, has brought dignity and prestige to the profession.
As he approaches his fifth decade in the profession, Rogers has done both. He was hired at Ole Miss in 1981 following 17 years at Delta State (Miss.) University. In that time he has worked tirelessly for his universities, international amateur athletics and CoSIDA.
"He is highly regarded by all the athletic publics he serves," retired Michigan State SID Nick Vista said. "He is a tireless worker in all his endeavors, operating with class and dignity at all levels."
There can be no clearer testament to his professionalism and level of performance than the fact that he already is a member of both the CoSIDA Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Writers Hall of Fame even as he remains a vital member of the Mississippi and Southeastern Conference athletic communities. He became the 100th member of the CoSIDA Hall of Fame when inducted in 1990. He was honored by the Mississippi Sports Writers Association in 1997.
Additionally, Rogers has received the Distinguished Statesman Award from Delta State (1998) and the Elmore (Scoop) Hudgins Sports Information Directors Award from the All-American Football Foundation (1999).
"There is no SID in this country who has given more to our profession or to our organization than Langston Rogers," said Ed Carpenter, Boston University SID.
Rogers has served as president of CoSIDA (1980-81) and president of the Southeastern Conference sports information directors (1989-91). He also was a press liaison officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee at the 1982 National Sports Festival.
Throughout his career he has worked tirelessly to protect the interests and promote the efforts of those in the profession, regardless of whether or not it was mandated.
As CoSIDA President, he spearheaded the movement to trademark the Academic All-American name. Also during his term, publication critique sheets were developed, and he promoted the inclusion of District winners for Division B and C in football and basketball programs and media guides. His first order of business was the creation of the Publicist for Women's Sports Committee, and he has remained devoted to the inclusion of women and minorities in leadership roles within the organization.
Even before that, he helped develop the criteria for the CoSIDA Post Graduate Scholarship and served as the committee?s first chair for three years. Since his term as president, as a member of the board of directors, he helped extend the workshop by one day and helped guide the division of secretary and treasurer into separate positions.
"No past president of our organization has given as much, and continues to give as much to CoSIDA and to our profession as has Langston," Bill Little of The University of Texas said. "There is no way to put a value on all that he has done nor count the many young people he has helped within the organization."
"In Langston's case, this award is long overdue," John Humenik of Florida said. "He is most deserving in every way the award was meant to honor someone in our profession."