McKnight Honored by AVCA

Lincoln - University of Nebraska Assistant Media Relations Director Shamus McKnight earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association's highest honor for excellence in sports information, as he was named a finalist for the prestigious Grant Burger Media Award, the AVCA announced on Thursday, June 5.

McKnight, the media relations contact for the three-time national champion Nebraska volleyball program, was honored as the top sports information director for volleyball in the country. McKnight, who won the Central Region award, has been a member of the Nebraska Media Relations Department since 1997. He is responsible for all aspects of media relations for the Husker volleyball and baseball teams. McKnight served as the host media relations director for the 2006 NCAA Championship at the Qwest Center in Omaha, and will serve in that role again when the Huskers play host to the NCAA Volleyball Championship in 2008. McKnight is also the media coordinator for the Runza/AVCA College Volleyball Showcase, which is also held in Omaha.

"Shamus is one of the most-dedicated, hard-working and passionate sports information directors in the country," Nebraska Coach John Cook said. "Our team loves him and appreciates all of his effort and caring attitude toward our players. Shamus handles the media constituents in a very professional manner that generates a high level of respect for his work. Being the SID for Nebraska volleyball has grown into a major assignment over the last couple of years, and Shamus has helped take our program to a new level."

The AVCA selected four finalists among the categories of sports information, web, broadcast and print media. MaxPreps, Inc., was named the overall winner of the Grant Burger Media Award. 

Former University of Nebraska cross country/track and field student-athlete and media relations student-assistant Kyle Doperalski was honored in the broadcast category for his work as the general manager of New Mexico State University's Aggie Vision and as the network broadcast coordinator for the Aggie Sports Network.

Dan Kauffman of the Hagerstown (Md.) Herald-Mail was honored as a national finalist in the print category, while George Mulry from LongmeadowVollyeball.com was honored in the web content category.

The AVCA Grant Burger Media Award is intended to recognize members of the media who have been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball, whether it be through consistent coverage in all mediums (sports information, print, broadcasting and web content), production of volleyball-specific publications or extensive radio and/or television exposure. It is named in honor of Grant Burger, former Director of Sports Information and Associate Director of the AVCA (1988-92), whose hard work, innovative mind, knowledge and enthusiasm took the areas of media relations and publications at the AVCA to a higher level and increased awareness of the sport of volleyball nationwide.