PELLA— 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 NCAA Division III and D3SIDA 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.  It seeks to honor the best work - including news releases, feature articles, videos, blogs and other materials - produced by Division III campus and conference athletics communication offices. 
           
Happel served as the athletics communications director at Central from 1974-2024 before retiring and taking on part-time duties as athletics senior editor. Happel graduated from Central in 1981. He was inducted in the College Sports Communicators (CSC), formerly CoSIDA, 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. 
           
This June, Happel will also be recognized with his retirement award along with the Lifetime Achievement Award as announced earlier by CSC.