WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (June 24, 2022) – St. Thomas University Director of Athletic Communications, Michelle Murch, was named the 2021-22 Sun Conference (SUN) Sports Information Director of the Year as voted upon the league's SIDs. The award was announced Wednesday afternoon at the annual Sun Conference meetings.

"I am extremely thankful and grateful for this honor and appreciate The Sun Conference SID's on electing me to this recognition," stated Michelle. "It truly takes a team effort and I want to thank all of our coaches and staff for their support but most importantly my student workers, interns, and graduate assistant for helping me through this year. Without their assistance on game days and in the office we would not be the department we are, I am very appreciative for their dedication, time, and effort that they contributed in promoting our athletic programs."
 
Murch, wins the honor for the first time in her career while it is the third time in five years for St. Thomas (Jon Leatherman, 2019-20 and Phil de Montmollin, 2017-18). Murch assumed the role as the lead in the athletic communications department in mid July of 2021.

"In a conference that is crowded with talented communications professionals, Michelle has most definitely stood out this year. She is hard working, incredibly skilled, and has established herself as a leader amongst her peers," said Sun Conference Commissioner Dustin Wilke. "This honor appropriately recognizes not only what she has accomplished at St. Thomas but also her outstanding work in telling the story of The Sun Conference this year, and I extend my sincere congratulations to Michelle on being chosen for this award."  
 
On the year, St. Thomas has improved their broadcast for baseball, softball, soccer, football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and flag football to all be multi-camera productions. Murch helped promote the university's 25 varsity sports while announcing the additions of three more in Women's Lacrosse and Men's and Women's Rugby.
 
St. Thomas had an incredible season athletically and academically. Seven teams and 26 individuals qualified for national tournaments, while male swimmer Inigo Marina brought home the school's first national championship. The department had a record 49 NAIA All-Americans, 97 All-Conference members, and 161 All-Academic team members.

"I am extremely excited for Michelle to be recognized as the conference Sports Information Director of the Year," stated Director of Athletics Bill Rychel. "Her peers have recognized what we see on a daily basis. She cares deeply for our student-athletes and it shows in how she serves them, and our University. I am proud to work with her."
 
Murch has been at St. Thomas since the fall of 2014 as a student-athlete on the softball team. Throughout her time in undergrad, she assisted the athletic department as a work study working game day on scoreboards and slowly moving into bigger responsibilities. After completing undergraduate studies in 2017, Murch stayed within the department as a graduate assistant. In January of 2019, Murch was hired full-time as the Manager of Digital Media and Game Operations. In her time within the department, Murch has won multiple NAIA-SIDA Publications contest most notably winning first place in 2019-20 for best Social Media Game Day Infographic.
 
In addition to her role at STU, Murch also serves as the Director of Digital Media for The Sun Conference and has since July 2020. Through her time the league has boosted a social presence, revealed a new logo, and worked through a rebranding of the conference.
 
As The Sun Conference Sports Information Director of the Year, Murch will now be nominated for consideration for the national NAIA SID of the Year award.