July 14, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Athletic Media Relations Office received nine citations for excellence in publications, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). This marks the fifth-straight year the unit has collected an impressive number of honors, with 62 awards received in the last five years. The awards were announced at the CoSIDA convention in Nashville earlier this month.

Media relations staff members combined with Maryland's publications coordinator, Patrick Fischer, to produce the award-winning media guides.

Leading the way was the Terrapin men's basketball media guide which earned Best in the Nation honors and Best in the District. Associate Athletic Director/Media Relations Director Doug Dull, with assistance from former Assistant Media Relations Director Mark Fratto, wrote the media guide, while Fischer designed it. Last year, the men's basketball publication was rated seventh in the nation.

The Maryland men's soccer guide also earned national recognition and was rated third-best in the nation. It was written and designed by Assistant Media Relations Director Adam Zundell. The men's soccer guide improved one spot from last year's national fourth-place showing.

Best in the District nods went to the Maryland women's basketball media guide, which was written by Assistant Media Relations Director Natalia Ciccone, and the Terp Football media guide, written by Associate Media Relations Director Greg Creese. Both publications were designed by Fischer.

The Terp women's volleyball guide also received Best in the District honors, after coming in second last year. The volleyball publication was written by former Assistant Media Relations Director Amy Mulligan.

Also collecting district honors, placing second overall in its respective categories, were the 2005-06 Track & Field media guide, written by former Media Relations Intern Mike Gerton and Student Assistant Mariel Brady with assistance from Dull and Fischer, the 2005-06 Tennis media guide, written by former Media Relations Student Assistant Daren Jenkins with assistance from Fischer. The 2005 Maryland women's soccer media guide, written and designed by Fischer, was also second in the district.

Maryland's 2004-05 CoSIDA Publications Awards
Men's Basketball - Best in the Nation, First in the District (Doug Dull, Mark Fratto, Patrick Fischer)
Men's Soccer - Third In Nation (Adam Zundell)
Women's Basketball - First in the District (Natalia Ciccone, Patrick Fischer)
Football - First in the District (Greg Creese, Patrick Fischer)
Volleyball - First In District (Amy Mulligan)
Tennis - Second In District (Daren Jenkins, Patrick Fischer)
Track & Field - Second in the District (Mike Gerton, Mariel Brady, Doug Dull)
Women's Soccer - Second in the District (Patrick Fischer)