FULL AVCA RELEASE

WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 4, 2020) -- The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) released its annual list of award winners on Thursday, and King's College Sports Information Graduate Assistant Bridget Walsh was named as a Grant Burger Media Award winner in the Division III Sports Information category and finalist for the overall award. 

The national honor is given annually to a person who has "been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball through consistent coverage in all mediums," according to the AVCA web site. Grant Burger was former Director of Sports Information and Associate Director of the AVCA (1988-92), "whose hard work, innovative mind, knowledge and enthusiasm took the areas of media relations and publications at the AVCA to a higher level and increased awareness of the sport of volleyball nationwide."

"Bridget Walsh has been an asset to both our women's and men's volleyball programs," said King's head men's and women's volleyball coach Bernie Kachinko. "She is hard-working, highly motivated, well rounded, very organized and takes great pride in getting the job done right.  She put her heart and soul into whatever she does and sets very high standards for herself.  She is a definite winner and we are truly blessed to have her be a part of our volleyball family." 

Walsh was charged with the coverage of both the men's and women's volleyball teams in her first academic year at King's College, as the women's volleyball season was the first sport that she served as the full media contact for the Monarchs. In that year, she helped promote a squad that picked up 21 victories while marking the fifth consecutive season with 20 or more wins. Walsh helped promote a pair of All-MAC Freedom award winners in Becca Goldberg and Taylor Mueller, along with nominating two Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom Players of the Week. 

Walsh also was the head contact for the inaugural varsity season of King's men's volleyball, and what a year it was for the Monarchs before the season was halted due to CoVID-19. King's had five MAC Players of the Week in 2020, while Joe Jones, Jr. was the Division III national leader in aces per set. King's finished in the top 10 in the nation in wins with 17 this year, while winning the first five matches in program history. 

"There's no more deserving individual than Bridget Walsh," said Director of Sports Information Jamie Chagnon. "In only her first year as a professional in the sports information and athletic communications field, she has proven to be one of the leaders in coverage in the sport of volleyball. Her ability to connect with student-athletes along with possessing a work ethic and drive to learn is second to none. She has a bright future in this field." 

"I am extremely humbled and honored to be recognized by the AVCA for my work with both the men's and women's volleyball programs at King's College," said Walsh. "Coach Kachinko, his staff, and all of his players have been great to work with and cover throughout my first year, and I am excited to continue highlighting their performances, both on the court and in the classroom. Providing all of the coverage would not be possible without Jamie, Vinny (Pecora), and our amazing student workers!"

A Scranton area native and 2019 graduate of DeSales University with a degree in communications, Walsh was also a four-year student-worker of the sports information department at DSU. She also starred for the Bulldog basketball team, where she helped her squad to a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2019 as a senior.