LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Washburn Athletic Communication Office put a bow on the 2024-25 season celebrating creative and digital design work by finishing second in the NCAA Division II ranks and fifth in the nation overall with 18 awards announced on the final day of the College Sports Communicators national convention in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Assistant Athletic Director Gene Cassell finished third in the NCAA D2 ranks for his photography portfolio.
The Ichabod football media guide was awarded best in the nation in the NCAA D2/D3/NAIA/JUCO ranks followed by the women's soccer media guide in third, the men's basketball media guide in fourth and the softball media guide in eighth. In the D2 ranks only, the football media guide was first, the women's soccer media guide was second followed by the men's basketball media guide in third and the softball media guide in fifth.
In the game notes category, the men's basketball game notes were named best in the nation followed by the football games notes in second, softball game notes in sixth, women's basketball game notes in eighth and the cross country game notes were ninth. In the NCAA D2 only division, the men's basketball game notes were first followed by the football game notes in second, softball game notes in sixth and women's basketball game notes in eighth.
This year's publication and design work was submitted by Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Cassell and Assistant Athletic Communications Director Kyle Manthe.
The WU Athletic Communications office has received 224 citations for excellence for office publications, including 96 best in the nation, 64 second-place finishes and 26 best covers in the nation since Cassell arrived at Washburn.
Embry-Riddle (FL) led all participating schools with 34 total places earned followed by Grace (Ind.) with 29, Oklahoma with 23 and Air Force with an even 20. An additional nine schools also earned double-digit accolades as Washburn (18), Indian Hills Community College (15), MSU Moorhead (14), Eckerd (14), Slippery Rock (13), Gustavus Adolphus (11), The Lovett School (11), Buena Vista (10) and Carson-Newman (10) were consistently ranked near the top in several categories.
Photographer Portfolio of the Year (NCAA D2)
Best of Division II – Gene Cassell (3
rd)
Media Guides/Programs (National)
Best In College Division – Gene Cassell – football media guide
Third in College Division – Gene Cassell – women's soccer media guide
Fourth in College Division – Gene Cassell – men's basketball media guide
Eighth in College Division – Gene Cassell – softball media guide
Media Guides/Programs (NCAA D2)
Best In Division II– Gene Cassell – football media guide
Second in Division II – Gene Cassell – women's soccer media guide
Third in Division II – Gene Cassell – men's basketball media guide
Fifth in Division II – Gene Cassell – softball media guide
Game Notes (National)
Best In College Division – Gene Cassell – men's basketball game notes
Second in College Division – Gene Cassell – football game notes
Sixth in College Division – Gene Cassell – softball game notes
Eighth in College Division – Kyle Manthe – women's basketball game notes
Ninth in College Division – Gene Cassell – cross country game notes
Game Notes (NCAA D2)
Best In Division II – Gene Cassell – men's basketball game notes
Second in Division II – Gene Cassell – football game notes
Sixth in College Division – Gene Cassell – softball game notes
Eighth in College Division – Kyle Manthe – women's basketball game notes
