LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Monday night, inside the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Lawrence Fan (1954-2022) was honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), receiving his fifth award from the organization he held near and dear to his heart.
Fan was honored with a CoSIDA Lifetime Achievement Award, posthumously, Monday night at the All-Star Night of Honors. Amy Villa, San José State's Director of Athletics Media Relations, honorably accepted the award on his behalf. Villa and Fan publicized the Spartans together for 28 years.
CoSIDA presents Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals who have served at least 25 years in the sports information profession and who are retiring or leaving the profession. The honors are voted on by the Special Awards Committee.
A short tribute video from Fan's Celebration of Life was shown at the beginning of the program as the organization recognized those lost over the past year. His impact on people was felt as there was not a dry eye in the room.
This was the fifth award Fan won from CoSIDA. Below are the previous four awards.
- 2012 CoSIDA Hall of Fame inductee – first Chinese American to receive this honor
- 2012 CoSIDA Arch Ward Award – goes to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of college sports information and by his/her activities brought dignity and prestige to the profession
- 2013 CoSIDA Trailblazer Award – goes to an individual who is a pioneer in the profession and has mentored and helped improve the level of ethnic and gender diversity
- 2017 CoSIDA President's Award – recognizes committee members within the organization for the exemplary volunteer service and leadership within the organization's committee structure in support of programs that benefit CoSIDA members
He was the founder of the CoSIDA Job Seekers Committee and served as the chair from 1994-2017.
The Lawrence Fan Athletics Media Relations Internship has been created to carry on his legacy of providing opportunities for those to succeed. To donate or for more information – Click here
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