College Sports Communicators continues to honor the best that the athletic communications profession has to offer, announcing the next seven recipients of the organization’s 2026 Special Awards.
Awarded for just the fifth time in organization history, the Bud Nangle Award will be presented to
Anthony Avila, assistant athletic director – communications & sports information at the University of La Verne. The award recognizes members that embody the ideals of intercollegiate athletics while enduring a stressful personal or professional situation.
All CSC Special Awards honorees will be recognized during CSC’s annual convention, CSC Unite 26, which takes place June 7-10 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. The convention is held in conjunction with NACDA and Affiliates Convention Week.
BUD NANGLE AWARD
Anthony Avila, University of La Verne
Assistant Athletic Director – Communications & Sports Information
Most athletic communicators take the summer to rest and prepare for the upcoming seasons. Anthony Avila spent last summer saving his mother’s life, making him the fifth-ever recipient of CSC’s Bud Nangle Award.
The assistant athletic director – communications & sports information at the University of La Verne had been in the position for less than two years before learning that he was a match for his mother, donating part of his liver to her in Summer 2025.
Colleagues noted that not only did Avila remain committed to making sure La Verne athletics was covered without losing a beat, but was quiet when sharing why he was taking time away.
“Throughout this deeply personal and physically demanding journey, Anthony continued to approach his professional duties with dedication and humility,” said La Verne Director of Athletics Jenna Panatier. “He planned carefully to ensure the continuity of coverage for our student-athletes and teams, and he remained a steady presence and leader within our department. His example resonated across our campus community and inspired us all.”
Avila is in his second stint at La Verne. He initially served as director of athletic communications from 2017 to 2021. He returned in 2023 and was elevated to assistant athletic director in 2024. In between, Avila worked as the marketing manager for Legacy Youth Leadership and sports information director for the California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association.
From 2016 to 2017, Avila served as the first full-time sports information director at Pomona-Pitzer. He began his career at his alma mater, Occidental College, as a sports information student assistant before spending two years as assistant sports information director. Avila was selected for the NCAA Institute for Administrative Advancement in 2018 and served as a judge for CSC’s Fred Stabley, Sr., Writing Contest in 2021. Avila graduated from Occidental with a degree in history in 2014. He earned a Master of Science degree in leadership and management from La Verne in 2021.
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