NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt Athletics Communications earned five national honors from College Sports Communicators this week at the organization's annual convention in Las Vegas, recognizing the department’s excellence in storytelling, photography, videography and creative content during the 2025–26 academic year.
The national recognition was highlighted by University Division Videographer of the Year honors for John Campbell, content creator, and University Division Photo of the Year recognition for Brendan Ross, director of social media and creative content. Vanderbilt also earned national recognition in writing, graphic design and video production, underscoring the breadth of talent across the department’s communications and creative teams.
The CSC honors follow another major national accolade for Vanderbilt Athletics, which was named the 2026 Marketing Team of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators earlier this week. Together, the recognitions highlight the strength of the department’s communications, creative and marketing efforts during a historic year for the Commodores.
The honors cap a year of unprecedented visibility for Vanderbilt Athletics, as the department’s communications and creative staff helped tell the stories behind one of the most successful years in Commodore history. From football’s historic season and Diego Pavia’s Heisman Trophy campaign to championship performances, facility announcements, record-setting fan engagement and national media attention, Vanderbilt’s storytellers and content creators helped elevate the university’s profile on both the local and national stage.
National Honors
· John Campbell, Content Creator: University Division Videographer of the Year
· Brendan Ross, Director, Social Media and Creative Content: University Division Photo of the Year
· Graham Hays, Athletics Writer: National Runner-Up, Division I Coach/Administrator Profile, "On-The-Job Training"
· Forrest Maners, Football Videographer, and Brendan Ross: Eighth Place, University Division Special Projects – Video
· Blake Largent, Assistant Director, Communications: 10th Place, University Division Special Projects – Graphics
In addition to his national recognition, Hays earned four district awards in CSC’s 2025–26 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest.
College Sports Communicators is the nation’s leading professional association for athletics communicators and creative professionals. Its annual awards programs recognize excellence in writing, photography, videography, design and strategic communications across collegiate athletics.
The recognition further highlights Vanderbilt Athletics’ commitment to excellence across every aspect of the student-athlete and fan experience, including the storytelling, content creation and strategic communications efforts that connect Commodore Athletics with audiences across Nashville and around the country.