While it doesn't quite have the same ring as "We're number one!" I'll take the number five spot.

The official results from the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) judging committee for football media guides were released today. Each year SIDs from around the country submit their media guides and game programs to the organization's publication contest. It's a chance for each SID to get feedback from experts regarding what is useful in the publications and what could be improved.

I've entered the contest the past few years and have received some great ideas on how to improve the Wabash guide. I spent a little extra time this summer incorporating those suggestions into the 2006 guide.

I haven't received the comments regarding this year's guide yet. But I did get the big news --- the football guide was judged to be the fifth-best in the nation among Division III and NAIA schools. My counterparts at Kenyon College, Marty Fuller and Dain McKee, took the top spot. Kevin Lanke's Rose-Hulman guide was named the third-best in the nation. Forty-one schools submitted entries this year, with the top-six guides earning honors.

The recognition for the 2006 guide actually goes to several people. Jim Amidon and Karen Handley proof, re-proof (if that is a word!), and re-re-proof (I'm certain that's not a word!) the guide all summer long. Dean of Students Tom Bambrey and number-one Wabash sports fan Sherry Ross also peruse the guide in a final effort to assure its accuracy. Once the guide is done, it's off to Bluffton, Indiana where Dave Moss and the rest of the Rem Johnston Printing staff spends a few weeks in August cranking out final copies of the guide.

The history of Wabash football has been kept by Max Servies, Amidon, and countless other members of the athletics and public affairs offices over the years. So while it may be my name that goes on the certificate I'll receive in San Diego this summer, it takes an entire team effort to produce what has now been declared one of the best football media guides in the nation!

Check out the online version of the 2006 Football Media Guide.