Athletic Communications Associate Dain McKee of Middlebury has earned the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Achievement Award. The honor is presented annually to CSC members in the University Division and the College Division currently serving in the role of an associate or assistant director in the athletics communications field who have made outstanding contributions to the field of athletics communications and provided exceptional service to their institution, conference office or intercollegiate athletics affiliated association. A nominee must have 10 or more years of experience in the athletics communications profession and must have not served in the lead role overseeing an athletics communications office.
 

"It is great to see Dain receive such elite recognition from our national organization and our peers," said Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Communications Ali Paquette. "Dain is an incredible colleague who is deeply passionate and committed to promoting our student-athletes. Throughout his time at Middlebury, he has formed strong relationships with our coaches, staff and student-athletes. As a lifelong learner, Dain is always looking for ways to enhance the Athletic Communications Department and make an impact. Dain is a kind and caring individual who is constantly helping others and always has his door open to listen. I am very grateful to have Dain as a colleague and friend, and I am thrilled that he will be honored on the national stage for all of his outstanding work."

 
McKee has served as an assistant in athletic communications for 20 years after gaining experience in the industry as an undergraduate. Throughout his career, McKee has been heavily involved in giving back to the industry. He served three years as the treasurer of EAST-COMM (formerly ECAC-SIDA) and has participated on many CSC committees. McKee currently serves on the esteemed CSC Academic All-America and the Career Services Committees. 
 

"I am truly honored and humbled to receive the CSC Achievement Award for the College Division," said McKee. "I am blessed to have a great support system including our Athletic Communications team guided by my boss Ali and teammate Ben, along with my family, four amazing children, friends and colleagues who continually drive and fuel my passion and enthusiasm for this profession. Working alongside so many talented and driven professionals daily as a member of the Middlebury Athletics family is a blessing, as they are passionate about their respective programs and student-athletes, but they are ultimately even better people. I wouldn't be the person and professional I am today without their guidance and support."

 
Following his student experience in the sports information department at Ohio Northern University, McKee served as an assistant sports information director at Kenyon College (2005-07), The College of Wooster (2007-09), Christopher Newport University (2009) and Case Western Reserve University (2011-13) before landing in Vermont. McKee came to Middlebury in 2013 and served as the assistant director for six years. In December 2019, he took a hiatus from the profession to focus on his family and re-joined the staff in January of 2022. 
 
McKee is also heavily involved in the local Middlebury community. He is currently on the Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) of Addison County and volunteers on the St. Mary's Church Communications Committee. McKee organizes and leads a group of staff from the athletic department each year during the Addison County United Ways Days of Caring. 
 
McKee will be honored at the annual CSC Convention in Orlando, Florida this coming June.