Ruston – Louisiana Tech University’s strategic communications department won six awards in the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association SID competition, it was announced during an awards luncheon in Natchitoches on Sunday.
The division won awards in several categories, including release/feature writing, game notes and graphics. LA Tech also won two awards in the radio play-by-play category.
In the Division II Releases/Features (Men’s Basketball/Baseball) category, Cain McGuire took second place for his feature on Bulldogs forward Isaiah Crawford aiming for a breakout season despite his injury history.
McGuire also earned second place in the Division V (Game Notes) category for his game notes for Bulldog basketball’s game against WKU. The assistant AD for strategic communications has won 20 awards in his 12 years with the department, including nine in the release/feature writing category.
Courtney Pugh of Donnie Bell Design won first and second place in the Division VII (College Graphics) category for the second year in a row. The first place graphic was for L’Jarius Sneed, who was set to play for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
“This is poster worthy!” the judges said. “It’s an eye-catching piece that pays a wonderful tribute and highlights all that Las Vegas has to offer on Super Bowl Sunday.”
Second place went to Isaiah Crawford’s graphic, which earned him an invitation to play in the Reese-DI All-Star Game. As the lead graphic designer for LA Tech Athletics, Pugh has won seven awards in the past four years, including three first place wins.
Meanwhile, Dave Nitz and Malcolm Butler tied for third place in Division VI (College Radio Play-by-Play) honors. Nitz covered the Diamond Dogs’ walk-off win over Sam Houston and Butler covered the closing minutes of the Dunkin’ Dogs’ win over WKU in Bowling Green. The duo has combined to win 17 awards since the category was introduced in 2013.
This marks the 13th consecutive year that LA Tech has won at least five awards, and the department has won a total of 123 awards in state competitions over the past 20-plus years.
