SEARCY, Ark. – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Wednesday that Harding University Assistant Sports Information Director Nathan Looney has been selected as a recipient of the organization's 2026 Achievement Award.

The Achievement Award is presented annually to a professional currently serving in the role of associate or assistant director who has made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics communications and provided exceptional service to their institution. Looney was selected as the College Division honoree, which covers NCAA Divisions II and III, the NAIA, two-year colleges, and Canadian institutions.

A graduate of Harding University, Looney is currently in his 18th year as the program's assistant sports information director and his 22nd year overall as part of the Bisons' athletics communications staff.

Looney serves as the primary media contact for the Harding women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, and softball programs. Beyond his work with media relations, he manages the university's athletic photography, produces video highlight packages, and serves as the department's lead graphic designer.

His tenure in the department began as an undergraduate, where he spent four-and-a-half years as a student worker assisting primarily with the football and basketball teams. After graduating from Harding in 2006 with a degree in interactive media, Looney spent one year as a sports information intern at the University of Alabama-Huntsville before returning to Searcy.

Looney and his wife, Laura, are the parents of a son, Bennett.

Looney is joined by Troy Andre, associate director of athletic communications at the University of Colorado, who was named the University Division Achievement Award recipient.

The CSC also announced five other Special Awards recipients on Wednesday:

• Bud Nangle Award: Anthony Avila, University of La Verne

• Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award: Liza David, UCLA

• Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award: Travis Jarome, Jackson State University

• Lester Jordan Award: Bill Wagner, DePauw University

• Jake Wade Award: Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN

Looney and the other honorees will be recognized during CSC's annual convention, CSC Unite 26, which takes place June 7-10 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.