Ira Thor, the sports information director at New Jersey City University since August 2000, has recently been awarded the AVCA Grant Burger Media Award as the Region SID of the Year for the sport of Division III men’s volleyball, by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. It is the first year that the AVCA has honored the nation’s college sports information directors for contributions to the sports of men’s and women’s volleyball.

Overall, the AVCA honored 29 sports information professionals nationwide across Division I, II, and III, and five for men’s volleyball. Thor was one of just two Division III SIDs selected for men’s volleyball.

Thor, now in his sixth year at the University, has also served as sports information director for the 36-school North East Collegiate Volleyball Association—the largest conference in the nation in any sport or Division—for four seasons, since assuming that role prior to the 2002 campaign. As Conference SID, Thor publishes the NECVA’s weekly report and selects the league’s award winners, while also compiling statistical leaders, standings, and results for the 36-team conference.

Thor was appointed as SID at NJCU on August 28, 2000, and is responsible for all aspects of sports media relations for the University’s 15-team athletics program. He has focused heavily on expanding the Gothic Knights’ internet presence, developing the athletics website, increasing media exposure, expanding publicity efforts including the hometown newspapers of NJCU’s athletes, and conducting research while overhauling the athletic department’s historical records.