NEW ORLEANS, La. --- University of Lynchburg sports information director Mark Robertson has been named the NCAA Division III recipient of the USTFCCCA's Excellence in Communications Award for 2020, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association officials announced Tuesday. The award recognizes athletics communications professionals at institutions or conference offices who have committed to outstanding coverage of intercollegiate track & field.

Robertson just completed his third year as sports information director at Lynchburg. During that time, he brought new life to the Hornets' sports information office while promoting one of the most successful small-college athletics programs in the region. He works closely with director of digital media Joe Hutzler and sports information graduate assistant Mark Weaver to highlight the Hornets' athletic accomplishments across track & field and all of Lynchburg's 23 intercollegiate sports.

"Because Lynchburg is successful on the national stage in so many of its sports, Mark has one of the easiest and hardest jobs that I know of," said Joe Matthews, director of sports information at Emory & Henry College, Robertson's alma mater. "From the time he was an undergraduate, I knew that he had the talents to be successful in this industry. After a stint in the newspaper business, Mark finally decided he was ready to prove me right when he took the job at Lynchburg. It is always fun to see the student surpass the mentor."

RELATED: USTFCCCA Excellence in Communications Award Release

Lynchburg's indoor and outdoor track & field teams have established themselves as perennial title contenders in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The women's squad won the last four league titles (2018 outdoor, 2019 indoor and outdoor, 2020 indoor), while the men were ODAC indoor runner-up this past winter. These three years of success have gleaned three All-Americans from five national qualifiers, 66 all-region performers, and numerous individual ODAC champions and All-ODAC accolades.

"It's one thing to have a successful program, but if no one is promoting it, no one knows about the success. Not only does Mark do a great job promoting us, he's there with us, especially when it comes to championships -- taking photos, being in the moment and capturing what we accomplish," Jim Sprecher, Lynchburg's director of track & field and cross country, said. "A lot of times we don't realize who is watching or reading, but I get a lot of compliments from coaches around the country who are amazed how much we put out there about our teams, especially for a Division III program. It makes it that much nicer when other folks recognize your accomplishments."

Robertson's attention to detail has resulted in countless Lynchburg track & field student-athletes receiving ODAC player of the week honors. Three Hornets have been voted Academic All-America and five have received Academic All-District accolades from CoSIDA.

"Mark is a great example of the talented individuals we have in athletic communications in the ODAC, and on behalf of the league and his peers, we congratulate him," noted ODAC associate commissioner J.J. Nekoloff. "From a strong nomination process to his engaging writing style, Mark's attention to detail in support of Lynchburg's student-athletes, coaches, and teams is second to none. He also relates well with his contemporaries and is more than willing to lend a helping hand where needed."

Other recipients of this year's Excellence in Communications Award are Natalie Uhl of the University of Louisville (NCAA Division I), Wes McKinney of Concord University (NCAA Division II) and Nicholas Robinson of John Brown University (NAIA).

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