Each year, the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) solicits nominations for the CSC Special Awards program, honoring those in the athletic communications field for distinguished service, work and achievement. The Special Awards are presented annually at luncheons during the annual CSC conventions, this summer occuring in early June in Las Vegas, Nev.
Among those being honored in 2024 are two college athletics communicators that have excelled across multiple generations in the NE10. Adelphi's Emily Dorko has been selected for the organization's Rising Star recognition while Bentley's Dick Lipe will be acknowledged for his lifetime acheivement.
Information below from the College Sports Communicators' "Awards Salute."
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented to individuals who have served at least 25 years in the athletics communications profession (as of July 2023) who are retiring or leaving the profession. Years of service vetted by the Special Awards Committee.
Dick Lipe – Bentley University, Fmr. Director of Athletic Communications
Dick Lipe, a multi-Hall of Famer and a long-time member of CSC's Academic All-America Committee, retired from a full-time athletic communications role in July 2023. Lipe had a 50-plus year career on the Bentley campus, including 46 as the school's first full-time sports information director. Involved with the CSC Academic All-America program since 1979, he served as chair of the CSC Academic All-America Committee from 1994 to 2011 and was chair of the Academic All-America Hall of Fame Selection Committee for over 25 years. He was inducted into the CSC Hall of Fame in 2002.
Following five decades on campus, including 46 as the only full-time sports information director in Bentley history, Dick Lipe stepped down from that role on last July and has transitioned into a new part-time role with Bentley University Athletics as sports information specialist.
Lipe, a 1977 graduate of what was then Bentley College, has been inducted into the Bentley Athletic, Northeast-10 and College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) halls of fame. He is the longest tenured full-time employee in Bentley Athletics history.
During his time at Bentley, Lipe has witnessed the Falcons capture NCAA Division II national championships in women's basketball (2014) and field hockey (2001); covered 18 basketball teams that reached the Elite Eight; and publicized many teams and student-athletes that earned Northeast-10 championships and/or competed in NCAA championships. During his tenure, Bentley student-athletes whom he has nominated have been selected for Academic All-America honors 88 times.
Lipe has been heavily involved with the CSC Academic All-America program since 1979, serving as chair of the CSC Academic All-America Committee from 1994 to 2011 and is a former chair of the Academic All-America Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
His list of honors from CSC also includes the 2002 Warren Berg Award and the 1996 Lester Jordan Award for his work with the Academic All-America program.
Lipe also received the 2002 Irving Marsh Award from the Eastern Athletic Communications Association (EAST-COMM, formerly ECAC-SIDA) and the 2000 Elmore (Scoop) Hudgens Sports information Director Award from the All-America Football Foundation. He also served as the first information director for the Northeast-10 Conference and has also worked as talent statistician and researcher for NBC Sports Boston and its predecessors on Boston Celtics broadcasts since 1980.
CSC Rising Star Award
Presented annually to College Sports Communicators members in the University Division (NCAA DI) and in the College Division (NCAA DII, DIII, NAIA, Two-year Colleges, Canadian institutions) – with 10 years of service or less whose work at their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics-affiliated association and service, dedication, energy and enthusiasm to the profession make that individual a "rising star" in athletics communications. Voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
Emily Dorko – Adelphi University, Associate Athletic Director of External Relations and Senior Woman Administrator
Emily Dorko has worked at her alma mater, NCAA Division II Adelphi University, since February 2017. Hired as associate athletic director of external relations, she also became the department's senior woman administrator (SWA) in November of 2019.
In her position, Emily oversees all communication efforts for the department, including the branding and marketing strategy for all social media platforms. The primary sports information contact for volleyball, women's lacrosse, men's lacrosse, cross country/track and field, men's basketball and swimming and diving, she also is the sports administrator for baseball, volleyball, cross country/track and field and women's bowling.
The liaison to Adelphi's Alumni Relations and Advancement departments, she also works on special events while also collaborating with University communications and marketing colleagues. Each year as she assists in these areas, Adelphi has seen an increase in the amount of donations given on its annual Giving Day.
As a member For the Northeast-10 Conference, she served on the committee to launch a conference-wide digital network, NE10 NOW.
In 2017 and 2019 she served as the primary sports information contact for Adelphi's Division II women's lacrosse national champions, a program that has seen nine titles since 2004.
Dorko returned to her alma mater after nearly two years at nearby NYIT where she served as assistant athletic director for strategic communications.
A native of Matamoras, Pa., Dorko is a double alumna of Adelphi, receiving a bachelor's degree in marketing and her M.B.A. in marketing from the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. She was also a two-sport athlete, lettering in volleyball (2009-2012) and softball (2010-2013). She was also named National Fastpitch Coaches Association First Team All-America in her final season at Adelphi, and holds the program record for career steals (106) while ranking fourth in career hits and fifth in career average.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 12 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
