INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Thirty participants were selected in the fall of 2025 for the second class of the NCAA Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program by the NCAA Division III Governance staff. The University of Dubuque's Alex McCombs, assistant director of Sports Information, was honored with a selection to attend the program in December of 2025.

"The NCAA Division III Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program in Indianapolis was a rewarding experience for me to help me grow in the SID profession," stated McCombs. "I learned valuable information from the programming and from other athletic communicators alike that I will be able to bring back to the University of Dubuque and help enhance the student-athlete experience."

These Division III athletic communicators were selected from all those nominated this fall by their leaders and peers for participation in the program. Launched in 2024, the Athletic Communicators Emerging Elite Program is a professional development initiative hosted annually in December at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis. In addition to the in-person program in Indianapolis, all participants were able to receive a one-time complimentary registration to the next College Sports Communicators (CSC) UNITE convention, held annually in June. The CSC Nationals Convention will be held in Las Vegas, Nev.  from June 7-11.

"I nominated Alex for all his wonderful work in our sports information office," commented Director of Sports Information Paul Misner. "He has demonstrated a willingness to advance and stay in the field of College Sports Communicators, an area he worked in a student work study for three years and as a graduate student for one year. We love to have students learn and have a keen interest in continue being a sports advocate for all our student-athletes at the University of Dubuque. He is another one of my student workers to stay and in the field through my 32 years of being in sports information."

Thirty participants are selected each year and receive full funding to attend the program in Indianapolis. Created in partnership with D3SIDA and College Sports Communicators, the program is designed to elevate the next generation of athletic communication leaders in Division III. Participants engage in interactive sessions focused on leadership development, managing and growing a team, cross-department collaboration, and navigating the evolving landscape of college athletics communications.

"On behalf of College Sports Communicators, I want to congratulate this outstanding group of Division III athletic communicators selected for the Emerging Elite Program," CSC Executive Director Jason Yaman said, "These professionals represent the future of our field — innovative storytellers, dedicated collaborators, and emerging leaders who are strengthening the visibility and impact of Division III athletics. We're proud to partner with the NCAA Division III and D3SIDA in supporting their continued growth and success."

List of Participants:
Maggie Balderstone - Bryn Mawr College - Assistant Director of Athletic Communications - Centennial Conference
Meghan Barone - Stevenson University - Assistant Athletics Communication Director - Middle Atlantic Conference
Mitchell Binda - State University of New York at Cortland- Assistant Sports Information Director - State University of New York Athletic Conference
Shaina Blakesley - Western Connecticut State University - Assistant Director of Sports Communication - Little East Conference
Landon Bundy -  University of Chicago - Director of Sports Information and Promotions - University Athletic Association
Adam Canfield - Colby College - Assistant Director of Sports Information and Communications - New England Small College Athletic Conference
Justin Corrigan - Carthage College - Assistant Director of Athletic Communications - College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin
Amanda Criss - Marywood University - Athletic Communications and Operations Specialist - Atlantic East Conference
Chase Fisk -  Linfield University - Director of Athletic Communications - Northwest Conference
Noah Gill - Bethany College - Director of Athletic Communications - Presidents' Athletic Conference
Anna Harris - Nazareth University - Assistant Director of Athletic Communications - Empire 8
Brianna Harzula - St. John Fisher University - Athletics Communications Assistant - Empire 8
Natalia Herrera - University Athletic Association - Assistant Commissioner - University Athletic Association
Dani Johnson - North Coast Athletic Conference - Director of Athletic Communications - North Coast Athletic Conference
Jordan Lambert - Utica University - Sports Information Director - Empire 8
Joey Madore - Catholic University - Director of Athletic Broadcasting and Communications - Landmark Conference
Joseph Marvin -  Brevard College - Sports Information Director -  USA South Athletic Conference
Alex McCombs - University of Dubuque - Assistant Director of Sports Information - American Rivers Conference
Mackenzie McMahon - Hope College - Sports Information Coordinator - Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Cory Moehringer - State University of New York at Oswego - Asst Athletic Director for Athletic Comm - State University of New York Athletic Conference
A'ja Nauden - Macalester College - Athletics Multimedia Coordinator - Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Allie Osterhoudt - North Atlantic Conference - Assistant Commissioner - North Atlantic Conference
Amanda Phillips - Oberlin College - Director of Athletics Communications and Game Day Operations - North Coast Athletic Conference
Dominik Pocrnja - Averett University - Assistant Director of Athletics Communications - Old Dominion Athletic Conference
Alexis Ponce -  Loras College - Assistant Director of Athletic Communications - American Rivers Conference
Alex Scheer - Heidelberg University - Intern - Sports Information - Ohio Athletic Conference
Breanna Stalsitz - Rhodes College - Director of Athletic Media Relations/ SAAC Advisor - Southern Athletic Association
Alyson Teixeira - Aurora University - Assistant Director of Athletic Communications - Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference
Kyle Teixeira - Mount Saint Mary College - Director of Sports Information - Skyline Conference
Aaron Ursin - Berry College - Graduate Assistant - Sports Information - Southern Athletic Association