University of North Carolina Athletics
Lohse Named Women's Soccer SID of the Year
March 1, 2000 | General
March 1, 2000
Capping off a successful season of soccer in Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina has earned another national title for its acclaimed soccer program. Dave Lohse, the Tar Heels' SID for women's soccer, has been named the National Winner for Sports Information Excellence in Women's Soccer by Soccer Buzz.
Lohse becomes the fourth recipient of the annual Soccer Buzz honor. Since 1996, the award has been presented to the most oustanding sports information publicist for his or her work with the school's women's soccer team. Previous national winners have included Loren Wohlgemuth, Portland (1998), Robert Hester, Northern Illinois (1997), and Shawn Robinson, Kentucky (1996). Both Wohlgemuth and Hester ranked in the nation's Top 20 again this year.
Among the most dedicated and honored SID's in the collegiate ranks, Lohse is the only honoree to place among the Top 20 in the nation each of the four years the award has been announced. He has placed first among all SID's in the Southeast Region the past three years. While North Carolina captured another National Championship in women's soccer in 1999, the SID Award is based solely on the merit of the publicist's work in supporting the team.
"We are obviously excited for Dave and feel that the award is merited," stated UNC Head Coach Anson Dorrance. ""We feel we get the best of both worlds with Dave. Not only do we get a passionate soccer fan but we get an incredibly competent sports information director."
"The competition for Sports Information Excellence honors was by far the highest level we have seen since we began publishing," noted Soccer Buzz Editor, Randy Diggs. "While the award may seem less significant to many, it's a chance to recognize all the hard work so many athletic supporters and fans do within their collegiate athletic departments." "Dave has been one of the most diligent and informative SID's we have ever worked with and to claim the top ranking this year in particular is exceptionally noteworthy due to the significant rise in information and reporting from schools across the nation,"added Diggs.
As the Director of Media Relations for Olympic Sports at North Carolina, Lohse has handled publicity for Carolina women's soccer from its inception in 1979 until 1984 and returned to that role in 1996. This is his 23rd year as a member of the UNC Sports Info staff.
"Dave Lohse is an outstanding choice to receive (this) award," said Dick Baddour, UNC Director of Athletics. "He spends countless hours promoting the team and its remarkable history. His energy and dedication are an integral part of our program."
Although not a factor for this honor, Baddour added that Lohse's "trademark 'CAROLINA GOAL' call on the public address system at home games typifies his enthusiasm for the sport and the Tar Heels."
