NEWPORT NEWS, VA.- As the 2010 spring sports season comes to an end, so does the long and distinguished career of Wayne Block. Block, who will retire following the conclusion of the NCAA Softball Regional this weekend at CNU, has been a member of the Christopher Newport University athletic department for the last 27 years. He is widely recognized as one of the top Sports Information Directors in the nation.
“It's been an amazing time with all the changes that have occurred here at CNU,” Block said. “I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to be here all these years.”
In his 27 years, Block has been a part of the growth of Christopher Newport from a small commuter college with only a dozen athletic programs to a vibrant residential university with 22 intercollegiate athletic programs.
“Christopher Newport University has been honored by Wayne Block's presence for the past 27 years,” Director of Athletics C.J. Woollum said. “He has represented CNU with class and dignity and will be sorely missed. We will fill his position, but we, most definitely, will not replace him. We wish Wayne and his wife Linda the best in their retirement.”
Block, a native of New York City, graduated from Hofstra University and spent time at several schools in their sports information departments. Those stops included C.W. Post, RPI, Virginia Tech and Hampton University. He found his home in 1983 when he became part of Christopher Newport's athletic department.
His accomplishments have been recognized on a national level. Block was named the 2005 recipient of the Warren Berg Award. The honor is presented annually by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of college sports information and honors those who have brought dignity and prestige to the profession.
Block was promoted to Assistant to the Athletic Director for Communications at CNU in 2000 after serving as the school's Sports Information Director since 1983. CoSIDA previously honored Block in 2000 for 25 years of total service in the field.
Block was inducted into the Christopher Newport Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and also received the Virginia Sports Information Directors' Distinguished Service Award in 1996.
Block and his wife Linda, also a familiar face as a longtime volunteer at CNU athletic events, live in Seaford but have plans to retire to Maricopa, Arizona.
“We'll always keep an eye on what's going on in CNU athletics,” Block said.
