WICHITA -- David Toelle from Kansas Wesleyan University has been named Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year, the conference office announced Monday.
Toelle will be formally recognized at the Sport Management Conference, held on Aug. 4 at Bethel College.
"I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the SID of the Year," Toelle said of receiving the honor. "There's so many quality athletics communication professionals in the conference, I am sure that the choice was difficult. The KCAC is a special conference, and I am glad to be a part of it. Some of the best times are when all the SIDs come together to ensure that championship events are run well and to help each other out in times of need."
"I can't accept this award with acknowledging that this is a team effort," Toelle continued. "From our president Dr. Matt Thompson and Athletic Director Steve Wilson, down to coaches that have stepped up to help when needed, it takes a village, and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of our culture of family here at KWU. I'd also be remiss to not thank my family, especially my wife Jennifer, who is more than understanding of the crazy long hours, late nights, early mornings, and sudden schedule changes that are a part of this job."
"I've had the privilege of working with David for many years, both when I was at another institution, and since joining the team at Kansas Wesleyan," Steve Wilson, Kansas Wesleyan director of athletics, stated. "I have never encountered a professional with more passion for his institution. David is a Kansas Wesleyan staple, and someone who can be counted on to be there for our student-athletes. He plays a major role in a superior student-athlete experience for Coyote student-athletes, and he's someone I can rely on as a voice of experience at our leadership table. I am extremely proud of David, and thrilled that he is being honored by his peers in the KCAC. Kansas Wesleyan is better because David Toelle is a Coyote."
"David goes above and beyond his job duties, both for Kansas Wesleyan and the KCAC as a whole," Mark Hoffhines, KCAC conference sports information director, said. "His efforts this year on social media and on the new Kansas Wesleyan athletic website helped to expand Kansas Wesleyan's already substantial following, and his interactions with local and regional media draw a great deal of attention to Coyote athletics."
"His work on the conference level helps all of us 'raise our game' to provide the best content possible," Hoffhines continued. "He helps us to provide quality video streams and coverage at conference tournaments and events. His leadership for our group of sports information directors is vital, helping to drive us forward creatively and encouraging us to ponder how to best serve each institution and the KCAC at large."
Toelle, in his nineteenth year as the sports information director at Kansas Wesleyan, serves in a variety of roles at the institution and for the conference. This year, he led the complete redesign of Kansas Wesleyan's athletic website, saving the institution significant money in their budget. Toelle served on the committee that was responsible for selecting Wilson as the new athletic director at Kansas Wesleyan. In the nomination process, several of his peers pointed to Toelle's acumen in developing and improving Kansas Wesleyan's presence on social media, working with the local media, and providing up-to-date, accurate, and engaging content about the Coyotes. He serves on multiple committees on campus, both in a volunteer and appointed basis, in addition to his sports information duties.
On the conference level, Toelle has been instrumental in providing high quality video streams of conference championships, volunteering time and resources to put out the best product possible. He serves as the vice chair of the KCAC SID Committee, providing leadership, experience, and advice for other sports information directors in the KCAC.
Toelle also aims to serve the community of Salina in his free time. Since 2002, he has been a part of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce's Basketball Task Force as the head statistician and statistical staff coordinator for the KSHSAA state basketball tournaments held in March at the Tony's Pizza Events Center. He also has volunteered time as statistician for the KSHSAA Football and Baseball Championships held in Salina. He also gives time in the summer, serving as site supervisor, and scorekeeper for summer baseball games at Dean Evans Stadium.
This is the second time Toelle has received the KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year Award. He was also honored following the 2011-12 athletic year.
Toelle earned his first degree from Kansas Wesleyan, a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems in December 2001. However, after realizing that a career in athletics was where he felt most comfortable, he turned his attention to earning a second degree from KWU, this time a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Management, completed in the spring of 2008. Toelle resides in Salina with his wife Jennifer and children Trae and Tenille.
Previous KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year winners
2018-19: Josh Booth, Bethel College
2017-18: Nick Morris, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
2016-17: Katie Tooley, Ottawa University
2015-16: Scott Nuss, Southwestern College
2014-15: Scott Nuss, Southwestern College
2013-14: Katie Tooley, Ottawa University
2012-13: Scott Nuss, Southwestern College
2011-12: David Toelle, Kansas Wesleyan University
2010-11: Alan Grosbach, McPherson College
2009-10: Katie Tooley, Ottawa University
2008-09: Carol Swenson, McPherson College
--KCACsports.com--