LAS VEGAS, Nevada — University of Lynchburg Athletic Communications staff members Caroline Gerke and Joe Brennan earned national recognition from College Sports Communicators (CSC), with both receiving honors for their work during the 2025-26 academic year. The recognition also marks the third consecutive year that at least two members of Lynchburg's Athletic Communications staff have received a national award through CSC.

Gerke, the University Head of Photography, placed fifth in the College Division Photographer of the Year Portfolio category. She finished second among Division III finalists and earned a spot inside the top five in the College Division for the third consecutive year, continuing to establish herself as one of the top athletic photographers in the country at the Division III level. Gerke was selected from a field of 67 entries and was one of 13 repeat finalists in the third year of the CSC Portfolio Contests.

Brennan, Lynchburg's Athletic Communications Assistant, was named a College Division national winner in the Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest. His winning submission was a feature story on Director of Women's Volleyball Kevin Cardoza, highlighting Cardoza's impact on the Lynchburg volleyball program and the continued growth of the Hornets under his leadership. Brennan was one of seven individual category winners in the College Division, making him a finalist for Story of the Year. Nearly 500 entries were submitted across seven categories in the 2025-26 contest.

The honors mark another strong showing for Lynchburg Athletic Communications on the national stage, with Gerke and Brennan representing the department across photography and feature writing. Their recognition highlights the department's continued success in storytelling, creative content, and coverage of Lynchburg student-athletes, coaches, and programs.

Visit Lynchburg athletics' home online, LynchburgSports.com, anytime for up-to-date news on all Hornets sports and coverage from the Lynchburg Hornets Sports Network.

Sign up here to receive Lynchburg Sports news in your email inbox.

Give Lynchburg Athletics a like on Facebook, and follow Lynchburg Athletics on Instagram and X.

--LYN--