DALLAS (NCBWA) - Russell Anderson, Conference USA Director of Media Relations, has been named as winner of the 2002 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Wilbur Snypp Award.

Anderson has been promoting Conference USA Baseball since the league's inception in 1995 and prior to that served as the baseball contact for the Great Midwest Conference for two seasons. He has been an officer in the NCBWA for the past eight years, serving as Secretary/Treasurer of the organization during that entire period. In 2001, Anderson maintained dual roles with the NCBWA, serving as President of the organization. He has represented the NCBWA at every College World Series since 1998 and has been involved with NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals for each of the last six springs.

Russell Anderson (far right) joined Bo Carter and Rob Carolla in handing out the Verizon Dick Howser Trophy to Clemson's Khalil Greene at the College World Series.

"Russ Anderson has been a great ambassador for college baseball", NCBWA President Rob Carolla said. "His assistance with the National College Baseball Writers Association has been invaluable. I'm sure I can speak for the membership in extending sincere thanks and congratulations!"

"Russ has done thousands of hours of work behind the scenes for NCBWA," said Bo Carter of the Big 12 Conference and NCBWA Executive Director. "He is extremely deserving of this award and has made a tremendous difference for the organization with his eight-plus years of service as both President and Treasurer."

He is the 28th recipient of the annual award, which is presented in memory of longtime Ohio State Sports Information Director and NCBWA founder, the late Wilbur (Bill) Snypp. Snypp was a noted contributor to the writers' organization, which was initiated in 1962 (and celebrating its 40th year in 2001), as well as an officer in the group.

The NCBWA/Wilbur Snypp Award yearly honors a professional for their contributions to the sport of collegiate baseball. Voting is done by a panel of previous winners, who include past NCAA World Series directors, College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame members, decorated media members, and many others.