BALTIMORE, Md. - The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) had their annual awards at the 2019 Nike Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) convention luncheon on Friday.
Matt Kinnear of Inside Lacrosse received the Doyle Smith Sports Information Media Award.
Matt first interned at Inside Lacrosse while he was a student at the University of Maryland. Since then his background has been in sports journalism at several newspapers. He came back to IL in 2010. In his own words I feel he captures the essence of what drives the stories he writes.
“I view lacrosse, and sports in general, as a way to showcase human stories — adversity, leadership and accomplishment that are revealed through sports. I tend to pursue stories about untold programs and players, something I enjoy highlighting on the weekly Division II/Division III podcast.” His own words and the words of Inside Lacrosse’ CEO Publisher, Terry Foy. perfectly capture why Matt was nominated and selected to receive this award.
"Matt Kinnear is an exemplary lacrosse journalist, and it's so appropriate that he receive this award
from a group of coaches because what makes him great is exactly what a coach values in his staff
and his team. He's ego-less. He's reliable. He's passionate. He can identify exactly what needs to be
done and then he simply does it. He's invaluable to Inside Lacrosse and I wouldn't want to be at IL
without him."
This award is presented in honor of the career of outstanding service provided to lacrosse by long-time Virginia Assistant Sports Information Director Doyle Smith. Smith defined the game of collegiate lacrosse through his media releases and statistical and national poll coverage of the sport. His contributions to the former NCAA Lacrosse Rulebook and Guide paved the way for many of the sport's great media efforts today on TV, the internet, and in print. The winner of this award can come from college sports information offices or from the media, The nominee has contributed greatly to the promotion and coverage of the sport Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA).