Saint Mary's Sarah Miesle Claims Hartman Writing Award; Calvin's Jake Libolt Earns Renner Award

Posted: Jul 25, 2023

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. -- On July 25, the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) announced the 2022-23 recipients for both the Robin Hartman Writing Award and the Tom Renner Associate SID Award.

Saint Mary's College Sports Information Director Sarah Miesle earned the Hartman Award, while Calvin University's Jake Libolt was the Renner Award honoree.

The accolades honor two long-time public and media relations directors and their service to the MIAA: the late Robin Hartman of Albion College and Tom Renner of Hope College.

Sarah Miesle - 2022-23 Robin Hartman Writing Award

Sarah Miesle's story titled "An Unseen Battle - Breaking the Stigma" was selected as the winning piece for the 2022-23 Robin Hartman Writing Award. The story highlights two Belles who have partnered with mental health organizations to help break the stigma. Basketball player Anne Goralczyk became a campus captain for The Hidden Opponent, while lacrosse player Erin Dotson teamed up with Morgan's Message. In working through their own mental health struggles and hearing about others', Goralczyk and Dotson realized the importance of shedding light on these issues both within the Department of Athletics and on campus. Sports Information Directors have the power to share stories and Miesle did just that, along with taking it a step further and providing mental health resources to help break the stigma.

Following the 2022-23 academic year, Miesle wrapped up her fifteenth year as the Sports Information Director at Saint Mary's. This is the fourth time in nine years that Miesle has claimed the Hartman Award.

Robin Hartman served as Albion's Sports Information Director from 1987 to 2001 and is remembered as a pioneer in small college Sports Information with the introduction of one of the first athletic websites. He forged the path of using the internet as a source for streaming audio play-by-play. Hartman passed away in 2006.

The Hartman Award honors outstanding writing in a Sports Information capacity, either by a Sports Information Director or assistant.

Jake Libolt - 2022-23 Tom Renner Award

Lynden, Washington, native Jake Libolt graduated from Calvin University in April 2023 with a degree in Geology and a minor in Business.

Libolt was a four-year student employee for the Knights. As a senior, he was the primary sport contact for their two ACHA (D1 and D3) ice hockey teams, produced game day and post-game graphics, and wrote recaps of every game for their website throughout the 2022-23 academic year. Libolt was also a student statistician for every sport Calvin produced live stats for including baseball, softball, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball and soccer. He was particularly invaluable during the COVID spring of 2021 when the sports information office was spread thin. Libolt was able to run a press box, lead a student crew and serve as the lead statistician without Sports Information Director Jeff Febus being present. He also developed into a solid broadcaster, filling in as either a play-by-play or color commentator on broadcasts of basketball, volleyball and softball games. In addition, Libolt filled in as the public address announcer at Calvin's baseball and softball games, helped compile statistical research projects along with other historical archiving, and would occasionally take action photos of competitions.

“I’m extremely pleased to see Jake receive this recognition,” said Febus. “He exemplifies the characteristics of what this award is about. He is hard-working, conscientious and willing to provide service wherever needed. That was most apparent as we worked through the pandemic spring of 2021 when he displayed the ability to wear many hats. That willingness to pitch in wherever possible continued over the next few years and is a big reason why he is being honored with this award. In my 28 years as a sports information director, I have had several outstanding student assistants and Jake definitely belongs in that upper tier.”

Calvin student assistants have claimed the Renner Award six times since the accolade was formed in 2008.

Tom Renner served as Hope's Sports Information Director for 47 years before stepping down from his position in 2013. For 41 years, Renner was also the MIAA publicist (1967-2008) and still serves as the league's historian.

The Renner Award recognizes outstanding efforts by a student assistant in MIAA member schools' Sports Information departments.

Saint Mary's Sarah Miesle Claims Hartman Writing Award; Calvin's Jake Libolt Earns Renner Award

Sarah Miesle - 2022-23 Robin Hartman Writing Award

Jake Libolt - 2022-23 Tom Renner Award

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