Former Central College Sports Information Director Larry Happel received the 2024 Fall Division III and Division III Sports Information Directors of America (D3SIDA) Recognition Award.

Happel was selected by the D3SIDA board members for his feature story on Central College baseball outfielder Colton DeRocher last spring. The recognition award is a partnership between the Division III governance staff and D3SIDA to recognize the best work by athletics communication directors portraying the Division III identity and student-athlete experience. The recognition program is part of the Division III Branding & Promotions initiative, which seeks to honor the best work produced by Division III athletics communication offices – including news releases, feature articles, videos, blogs and other materials.

Happel served as athletics communications director at Central from 1979-2024 before retiring and taking on part-time duties as athletics senior editor. Happel graduated from Central in 1981, and was inducted in the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Hall of Fame in 2010. As an award winner, Happel will receive $1,500 credit to attend Division III Day at the annual CSC Convention this June in Orlando, Florida.

This June, Happel will also be recognized with his retirement award along with the Lifetime Achievement Award as announced earlier by the College Sports Communicators.