New London — Coast Guard Academy's Jason Southard has been elevated to assistant athletic director for media relations after completing his 23rd season as the director of athletic media relations.

Southard is the longest tenured media relations professional in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference and just completed his term as president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Sports Information Directors Association this academic year.

This year, he won the Bill Cawley Media Award from the Southeastern Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport of football and next week he will be presented with his 25-Year Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America at the annual convention.

"It's really a privilege for me to be able to elevate Jason to the position of assistant athletic director for media relations," athletic director Tim Fitzpatrick said in a release. "During his long tenure at CGA, he has been a loyal, strong, talented staff member whose advocacy for both the varsity Athletics program and the academy itself has been continually impressive. He is an insightful, dedicated professional who gives his all for CGA every day and never hesitates to go the extra mile for our cadet-athletes and coaches."

Southard has also been a part of the media relations staff at several NCAA Championship events including numerous NCAA Div. I men's basketball tournaments and three NCAA Div. I Women's Final Fours, as well as the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. Southard has also worked 10 NCAA Div. I men's Final Fours as a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches convention staff, handling public relations for events throughout the week.

Southard, a native of Seymour, is a Southern Connecticut graduate who worked a Albeertus Magnus and his alma before arriving at CGA in 1995.