Fan Receives 25-Year Award From CoSIDA
San JoseLong-time San Jose State Sports Information Director Lawrence Fan will be one of seven SIDs to receive a 25-Year Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America at the organization's annual convention, July 1-6, in Philadelphia
The award is given to CoSIDA members who have completed at least 25 years in the profession. Fan will receive his award at the organization’s annual special awards luncheon on Wednesday, July 6.
"Lawrence Fan has been the single thread throughout San Jose State's last 25 years,” said Tom Bowen, San Jose State Director of Athletics. “His contributions and dedication have been countless over the years. We are pleased that CoSIDA is recognizing his years of service and commitment to his profession."
Fan has worked at San Jose State since 1980 as SID. He has served the Bay Area media in many capacities including arranging interviews for all Spartan athletes as well as the spokesman for San Jose State Athletics. He has been the primary contact for football and men’s basketball as well as many of the other Spartan sports during his tenure. He coordinated the Heisman Trophy campaign for former Spartan quarterback Mike Perez during the 1987 season. Fan also coordinated all publicity for the three women’s golf NCAA Championships (1987, 1989, 1992). He handled all the publicity for the 1996 men’s basketball team that won the Big West Tournament and played top-seeded Kentucky in the first round of the 1996 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“Lawrence Fan is the consummate professional. He cares about the Media Relations profession with the same level of passion that he cared about "the big white car." Loyalty takes on all new meaning when you discuss Lawrence,” said Stan Morrison, former Spartan men’s basketball coach (1990-98) and current Athletics Director at UC Riverside. “He believes in those with whom he interacts every day and they know it intuitively due to his consistency, predictability and conscientiousness.
“I loved the Sunday night Italian dinners at Grande's with Lawrence as we watched the NFL Sunday Night game unfold over our spaghetti and garlic bread. He demonstrated his loyalty to me every Sunday, before I went to proctor the Basketball Study Table across the street, by never reaching in his pocket for that first dollar he ever made. He was completely loyal to it and to me. I miss him, his smile, his superior press releases and, most of all, his advice and friendship. I am thrilled that he is being recognized by his professional organization for an award that is richly deserved.”
During his tenure at San Jose State, Fan has worked many NCAA Championships. He was the media coordinator for the 1991 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships and worked the 1999 and 2000 Women’s Soccer College Cup. He served as the media coordinator for the 1997 NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regional at HP Pavilion and assisted with many other men’s basketball West Regionals, serving as press room monitor and many other positions.
Fan started the Job Seekers committee in 1994 when he organized what was a chaotic way for people searching for positions at CoSIDA’s annual convention. He streamlined the process so that prospective job seekers and employers had a structured session to conduct interviews and collect resumes. He has been the chair of the committee for 11 years.
Fan has also been a mentor to many interns who have passed through the San Jose State Sports Information Office. Included in the listing of interns includes Phil Simon, San Jose SaberCats Media Relations Director; Brian Blank, CS Stanislaus SID; Kimberly Cianci, Google; Reggie Burton, Mandalay Resort Group; Sarah Molasky, Le Reve musical at Wynn Hotel; and Chris Freshour, former General Manager of the Bakersfield Blaze.
Prior to coming to San Jose State, Fan worked at LaSalle College from 1978-1980, Western Illinois in 1978 and Frostburg State in 1977.
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