OXFORD, Ohio- The River States Conference is pleased to announce the selection of Indiana University East Sports Information Director and Associate Athletic Director Nick Fortini as the 2025-26 River States Conference Sports Information Director of the Year. Fortini, who concluded his fourth year as the head of IU East's sports information department, wins the award for the first time. 

He is the second IU East SID to be so honored, joining Kyle Wright, who won the award in 2017 and 2020. IU East joins Midway University as the only schools to have their SID win the conference award at least three times.

The River States Conference SID of the Year award was established in 2014-15. It annually recognizes one honoree for outstanding service and dedication to the sports information role in promotion of their student-athletes, school, conference and the NAIA. It is voted on by athletic directors and SIDs within the conference.

"Nick Fortini is as dependable as they come," River States Conference Assistant Commissioner Ryan Murphy said. "He runs an extremely successful athletic communications office, all the while taking on additional duties on his campus. College athletics would be better served with more people like Nick."

Fortini has built a distinguished career in the sports information role across NAIA schools. Before coming to Richmond in 2022, he was an assistant athletic director and SID at San Diego Christian College. While at San Diego Christian, he was named the Golden State Athletic Conference SID of the Year in 2017. He also served at Lewis-Clark State College, aiding in their coverage of the NAIA Baseball World Series.

In addition to providing standout coverage of the Red Wolves, which included three River States Conference championships, Fortini took on an added role at IU East this year. Fortini became the head of the Red Wolf athletic department, taking over as interim athletic director following the retirement of Joe Griffin. Nonetheless, his coverage never missed a beat, contributing to a quality student athlete experience on the IU East campus.

In his nomination materials, one of IU East's coaches praised Fortini's impact on the athletic department, pointing to both his leadership and attention to detail.

"Nick does a very professional job of leading our communications group," the coach remarked, "as well as excelling as our Associate Athletic Director doing compliance."

YEAR BY YEAR -- RSC/KIAC SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
2014-15 -- Kevin Taylor (Point Park)
2015-16 -- Randy Payton (Rio Grande)
2016-17 -- Kyle Wright (IU East)
2017-18 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2018-19 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2019-20 -- Kyle Wright (IU East)
2020-21 -- Karina Graziani (Carlow)
2021-22 -- Kevin Taylor (Point Park/RSC)
2022-23 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2023-24 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2024-25 -- Randy Payton (Rio Grande)
2025-26 -- Nick Fortini (IU East)