Oct 22, 2010 9:11:07 AM

The College Sports Information Directors of America set a membership record for 2010-11 of 2,643 sports public relations, communications and information professionals from the collegiate ranks. The mark breaks the previous membership high of 2,563 set in 2008-09.

About 146 members joined after a summer membership campaign the organization conducted.

"Setting a new annual membership record provides further evidence that CoSIDA has generated some impressive momentum among our colleagues throughout the nation, and that is encouraging to our leadership group as we believe it reflects a feeling that we are moving in right direction," said 2010-11 CoSIDA President Larry Dougherty of Temple. 

"Working with divisional leadership groups within CoSIDA, we made a concerted effort this year to grow our membership numbers within each and every division," said Dougherty. "There is no question progress was made in that regard, especially within the NCAA Division II and Division III ranks and among our NAIA institutions. CoSIDA has long sought to be an inclusive membership organization, and this year's membership numbers reflect that."

Memberships to CoSIDA are open year-round, and athletics communications professionals and those in affiliate organizations are welcome to pursue membership at any time.

Facts and figures about CoSIDA membership

• Current membership is 2,643 as of mid-October 2010, breaking the all-time record of 2,563 members set in 2008-09

• CoSIDA's membership has topped 2,000 for six years in a row, beginning in 2005-06

• CoSIDA membership has grown by almost 700 (697) in the last six years. That is by far the biggest growth period in the history of the organization. It took from 1984 to 2003 to go from 1304 to 1946 members (an increase of 642). The next closest growth period was an increase of 681 from 1975 (623) to 1984 (1,304).

• Current divisional membership breakdown:
Division I − 1,379
Division II − 371
Division III − 451
NAIA − 181
Junior college − 31
Canada − 15 (there are actually more than 15 Canadian members but many are from schools that are also previously listed under the NAIA)
The remaining 215 members represent lifetime members, associate members, unaffiliated and others.