Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University Senior Sports Information Director Jim Sheehan will be presented with the 2017 Doyle Smith Sports Information /Media Award by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) at the annual Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA)/USILA Nike Awards Luncheon on Friday, December 8. 

The IMLCA/USILA Nike Awards Luncheon will take place at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel at noon. The award, is presented in honor of the late University of Virginia Assistant Sports Information Director, Doyle Smith, who defined the game of lacrosse through his publicity and coverage of the sport.

A native of New York City, Sheehan came to Hofstra in August 1988 as sports information director. His responsibilities over the years have included serving as primary media liaison and publicist for Pride programs in basketball, field hockey, wrestling, men's lacrosse, and men's and women's cross country, as well as editor of media guides, programs, notes, records and statistics in those sports.

Sheehan was named the Publicist/SID of the Year by the National Wrestling Media Association in 2005-06.  Last April, he was selected the 2016-17 Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Distinguished Service Award recipient.

"I am tremendously honored to be receiving the Doyle Smith Sports Information/Media Award," Sheehan said. "I have been truly fortunate to have worked with two great head coaches in John Danowski and Seth Tierney during my Hofstra tenure. When I came to Hofstra in 1988, I had no experience with the game of lacrosse. At that time, I sought out and received great advice and instruction from many people but especially from Coach Danowski, legendary public address announcer and past Doyle Smith Award winner Norm Murray and, of course, Doyle Smith himself. I am truly grateful for the time and consideration that they all gave to me which has created my love of the game for the past 29 years."

Prior to Hofstra, Sheehan served as assistant commissioner for information at the Gateway Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1985 to 1988. He also served as coordinator of media information for the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League from October 1984 through July 1985, and as sports information director at the University of Tampa from August 1982 through October 1984. Sheehan also has worked as sports information director at his alma mater, Biscayne College (1981-82), and as information director for the Sunshine State Conference (1980-84).

Sheehan and his wife, Maureen, reside in Middle Village, New York with their daughter Jillian.