Bowling Green, KY – The University of the Cumberlands athletic department has been on an upward trajectory for the past decade elevating itself to a premier program within the NAIA.  A cornerstone of the Patriots success has been the Sports Information Department that has worked tirelessly in promoting UC's teams and student-athletes. Their hard work has not gone unnoticed as they garnered several accolades and on Tuesday the Mid-South Conference announced that the Patriots have swept the MSC Sports Information Directors of the Year awards.
 
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information Tommy Chasanoff has been named the 2024-2025 MSC Bill Sergent Sports Information Director of the Year, while Assistant SID Jared Kilgore earns the MSC Assistant Sports Information Director of the Year honor.  It marks the first time in conference history that the same department has won both awards in the same season. 
"Our Sports Information Department is the tops in the NAIA.  Tommy and Jared are true professionals and a credit to the CSC community," said Athletic Director Chris Kraftick.
 
It marks the fifth time that Chasanoff has earned this honor, which is named after the Patriots longtime SID Bill Sergent.  Chasanoff becomes just the second person in MSC history to earn this distinction five times joining Chris Wells (Lindsey Wilson) and it marks the second time that he has garnered this award in back-to-back seasons.
 
"This honor truly is a department award and I'm thankful for the incredible work ethic of our talented staff and their dedication to covering the Patriots teams and student-athletes," said Chasanoff.  "To earn this recognition is a reflection on our standards as well as the passion that everyone in the Sports Information department has to provide incredible coverage.  It's amazing that I get to share this honor with Jared, who has blossom into an incredible SID and I'm blessed to have him in our department."

Kilgore becomes the first Patriot to earn Assistant SID of the Year, which began during the 2021-22 season.  Kilgore has just completed his fourth year as part of the UC staff, where he serves as the main contact for football, men's basketball, and men's & women's track & field. Jared worked multiple Mid-South Conference Championships and covered the women's track & field team capturing their first NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championship. Kilgore also served on the NAIA-SIDA Divisional Day planning committee and was a presenter during the 2025 CSC Convention.

"I'm incredibly honored to be named the MSC Assistant SID of the Year and even more humbled to be the first from our school to receive this recognition. I'd first like to thank the Lord for placing me here at UC with amazing colleagues and athletes," said Kilgore. "This is truly a team award and a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone in our office. I am so fortunate to get to learn from the best of the best everyday, and work closely with our talented teams and student-athletes. There is nothing better than being part of this #OneBigTeam!"
 
While hard work and dedication by athletes and coaches have given Patriots athletics conference and national attention, including capturing their second straight NACDA Learfield Director's Cup, behind the scenes it has been Chasanoff and Kilgore leading the Sports Information Department in promoting their success over the past year.  For the third consecutive year, Cumberlands surpassed two-million website page views, topping out a school record 2.1 million, as www.cumberlandspatriots.com was voted the top website during NAIA-SIDA Publication contest.
Additionally, the Patriots Sports Information Department has been instrumental in recognizing student-athletes for awards at both the conference and national level.  During the 2024-25 season, UC set school records with 182 Conference Players of the Week, 222 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, 386 Academic All-Conference selections, while having 18 student-athletes earn NAIA Player of the Week honors.  Cumberlands also set a program record for CSC Academic All-America as well as NAIA All-Americans and All-Conference selections.
 
Over the past year, Cumberlands hosted six NAIA Opening Rounds to go along with eight conference championships.  The Patriots hosted both the Men's and Women's Soccer and Men's and Women's Basketball NAIA First & Second Rounds in addition to the NAIA Opening Rounds for Baseball and Softball.
 
The UC Sports Information Department, with Chasanoff and Kilgore playing essential roles, have been recognized for their hard work and dedication over the past several years.  The Patriots have achieved a plethora of top-10 finishes in the NAIA-SIDA Publication Contest and were named the 2021 Gary Spitler Award winner for Excellence in Publication.  This year Cumberlands posted 16 top-10 finishes in the NAIA-SIDA Publication Awards, garnered multiple top honors in CSC Digital Media Contest, and was the inaugural winner of the NAIA Ball Cody Butler Award.
 
While Tommy has remained focused on providing premier coverage for the Patriots Athletic Department, Chasanoff has taken on numerous active roles in the sports information community, leading to recognition among his peers.  He continued to serve as the NAIA Media Coordinator at both the 2025 NAIA Swimming & Diving Championships as well as the inaugural NAIA Men's Lacrosse Championship.  In addition to his role at Cumberlands, Chasanoff recently concluded his first year serving as President of the NAIA-SIDA Board, while also serving on the NAIA's National Administrative Council for the past three years. Chasanoff has earned several honors, including being named the 2023 CSC Rising Star for the College Division and was named the NAIA SID of the Year in 2019-20 & 2023-24.
 
Chasanoff will now be in the running for the NAIA Sports Information Director of the Year Award, which will be announced on September 15 as part of the NAIA Awards Day.
 
What People are Saying:
 
"Jared has been an unbelievably asset to our program. He provides the coverage and creativity necessary to keep our men's program at the forefront of the national landscape in NAIA basketball. We appreciate his continued hard work and value him as a member of our Patriot team!" – Men's Basketball Head Coach Matt Daniel

"Tommy is a living example of the quote 'leave it better than you found it'. He has transformed UC into an environment everyone wants to be a part of. The department makes it possible for all my family and friends to stay connected with me even though I am far away. Having a department this dedicated to our success is something I didn't know was possible. Along with that Tommy is one of the most upbeat, caring, and happiest people I've ever met. He has truly made my experience at UC something worth remembering." – Women's Lacrosse Player Koral Hadac

"Jared is a great asset to the athletic program at UC. His passion and pride for the Patriots are obvious. The football staff really appreciates his attention to detail and perspective." – Football Head Coach Shan Housekeeper

"Congratulations to Tommy on being named the MSC SID of the Year! Tommy's incredible work ethic, attention to detail, and consistent commitment to excellence set a high standard across the board. Covering 28 sports while leading a team that ensures every program receives equal and outstanding coverage is no small feat. He plays a vital role in the success of our athletic department, and this recognition is well deserved!" – Volleyball Head Coach Kathryn Park

"Jared is a baller when it comes to work with intent and integrity! He does such a great job ensuring professional coverage of the track & field program." – Track & Field Head Coach Bradley Sowder

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