Elevating the Game: Ben Zacher Named CSC 30 Under 30

It was never about chasing recognition. Never about trophies, headlines, or applause. The best athletic communications professionals are, by nature, storytellers behind the scenes building, shaping, and spotlighting the moments that define student-athletes and the institutions they represent.

But on this occasion, the story belongs to Ben Zacher.

This week, Ben Zacher ’20, M’25, Associate Director of Athletic Communications at Norwich University, was named to the 2025 class of the College Sports Communicators (CSC) 30 Under 30, a national honor recognizing the top emerging professionals in the field. It is one of the highest honors available to young professionals in the world of sports communications and a nod not only to performance, but to passion, professionalism, and purpose.

And this year’s class was no easy club to join.

A record 183 nominations were submitted for consideration in 2025, with only nine recipients selected from NCAA Division III institutions. The honorees were chosen by a national voting group composed of the CSC Executive Board of Directors, Advisory Council, staff, leaders from every CSC committee, and selected past winners — an endorsement not just of potential, but of excellence already demonstrated.

“I am incredibly honored to be named to the CSC 30 Under 30 Class of 2025,” said Zacher. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates a field rooted in service, creativity, and a deep love for sports — values that have defined both my upbringing and my career. Being able to grow professionally at Norwich, surrounded by people who trust me to lead and build something lasting, has been a true gift. This award is also a personal milestone. I grew up watching my father coach here and pour everything into this campus. To now follow in his footsteps, while shaping my own path, makes this recognition all the more special.”

Zacher joined the Norwich Athletic Communications team in 2022 as the department’s Broadcast & Video Coordinator before earning a swift promotion to Associate Director just months later. Since then, he’s helped usher the department into a new era through modernizing the digital content strategy, elevating livestream production, coordinating varsity sport coverage, and revamping the University’s athletic recognition infrastructure, including the launch of a new Digital Athletic Hall of Fame.

Today, his work spans both digital platforms and physical spaces, from touchscreen displays in Andrews Hall to online archives that preserve Norwich’s proudest legacies. He’s the kind of professional whose work multiplies in impact, not only through the thousands of fans who rely on his stat keeping, recaps, and broadcasts, but through the student-athletes and coaches who trust him to tell their stories right.

“Ben’s work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for Norwich Athletics are unmatched,” said Ed Hockenbury, Director of Athletics. “He has elevated our department with professionalism and creativity and has become a trusted partner for our coaching staff, student-athletes, and administration. This honor is a reflection of his impact and a glimpse of what’s still to come.”

Zacher is the primary media contact for 10 varsity programs and supports all 23 in some capacity, managing everything from game-day logistics to championship operations. His fingerprints are on the GNAC Cross Country Championships, Senior Day celebrations, and national awards campaigns for student-athletes. He’s helped Norwich host conference tournaments, alumni events, and campus showcases.

He’s also a central figure in Norwich’s evolving digital storytelling strategy, building creative campaigns that highlight student-athlete achievements in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.

“Ben’s recognition speaks volumes about who he is as a professional and a person,” said Sarah Stefaniuk, Vice President of Brand Marketing & Communications. “In a world where attention spans are shrinking and expectations are rising, he finds ways to deliver timely, high-quality content that’s deeply human. He celebrates the accomplishments of our athletes, connects with families and alumni, and represents Norwich with pride and integrity.”

The visibility of his work, both on campus and across digital platforms, reflects a broader evolution in what athletic communications can achieve. That transformation required not only technical skill but a vision and consistency of how that storytelling would unfold.

“Ben has been instrumental in continuing to help Norwich raise the standard for what athletic communications can be,” said Marc Kolb, Associate Vice President for Campus and Athletic Communications. “He is diligent, mission-focused, and embraces new technologies to share the stories of Cadets both past and present. This recognition is personal for all of us because we know how much of himself he pours into the job. Ben is helping define what modern athletic communications looks like. This honor validates what we at Norwich have seen behind the scenes every day.”

The CSC 30 Under 30 program, now in its fourth year, was created by the College Sports Communicators Young Professionals Committee to identify and celebrate early-career leaders shaping the future of the industry. Honorees represent every level of collegiate athletics and span a wide range of roles from sports information directors and content strategists to creatives, brand managers, and video producers.

The program is administered by the CSC Young Professionals Committee and selections are made by a national voting panel that includes board members, past recipients, committee chairs, and staff. The 2025 class includes nine honorees from NCAA Division III institutions out of a record 183 nominations.