South Carolina State University's Bill Hamilton, the "hardest working man" in sports information directing, has received the 2005 Trailblazer Award from the Collge Sports Information Directors of America.

The award, to be presented July 5 at CoSIDA's annual workshop in Philadelphia, Penn., is presented annually to a pioneer in the field of sports information who has mentored and helped improve the level of ethnic and gender diversity within CoSIDA.

"Rewards are always nice, but when they come from your peers, and you get them in the twilight of your career, I think they're extra special," Hamilton said. "I count this to be certainly one of the top awards that I ever received."

During his 32 years and countless hours of service to his alma mater, Hamilton has worked on the NCAA Men's Final Four Media Coordination Committee since 1999. In 1995, he earned a CoSIDA Excellence in Writing Citation and in 1989, was given the Black College Sports Information Directors of America Cal Jacox-Champ Clark Award as the top SID in historical black colleges.

The BCSIDA's current president, Hamilton has served on various CoSIDA committees. He was a member of the CoSIDA Board of Directors from 1993-96 and has attended every CoSIDA workshop since 1974. In 1998, he was given the Kodak Good Person Award and the 25-Year Service Award. His 1983 football media guide was voted fourth best in the nation for I-AA schools by CoSIDA, and the cover of the guide received first place honors.

Hamilton is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the South Carolina State Employees Association, where he serves as a chapter and state board member. Active in civic and community organizations, he is currently chairman of the Orangeburg Attention Homes Board of Directors and former president and past state board member of the Orangeburg County Chapter of the Alston Wilkes Society.

Asked about the key to his longevity, Hamilton said he's never experienced a day at SCSU where he's gone to work unhappy to be there.

"Being in this profession for 32 years — I'll reach my 33rd year in July — you've got to love your work to stay in it this long. I've enjoyed it. It's been rewarding, and I've been helped by the situation at South Carolina State because I've worked with very good coaches. Coaches who understand and appreciate media relations as far as sports information. I've worked with presidents and administrative ADs who understood and appreciated sports information. I didn't always have the manpower that I needed, but I didn't let that stop me from working hard and providing opportunity for student-athletes and coaches and staff.

"Overall, it's been a great ride. I don't have any regrets. Certainly, if you want to make a lot of money, sports information might not be the field to go into. But there are a lot of rewards that are much more important than money, such as fostering relationships, watching student-athletes achieve and being a part of the effort to get their achievements and accomplishments out there. I don't think I could have gone into any other profession that I would have found as rewarding as sports information, especially here at South Carolina State where the support has been really good."

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