For the third time in four years, Linfield College is being recognized for outstanding work in the area of digital media production by the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators.

On Tuesday, NACMA announced Linfield received the Gold Award for Group III after taking first place in the category of video display board presentations at the annual NACMA Convention in Dallas, Texas. Group III comprises institutions affiliated with NCAA Divisions II and III, plus NAIA.

The digital presentation, shown moments before the Wildcats took the field at each home football game, was a joint collaboration between the Wildcats football program, sports information office and alumnus Ryan Carlson.

Carlson, a former Wildcats football player from the class of 1999, masterminded the video and editing of the two-minute piece. Football coach Joseph Smith granted Carlson full behind-the-scenes access while the sports information office contributed historical photography and branding support.

Linfield was twice previously recognized for excellence at NACMA’s annual “Best of NACMA” awards presentation, taking home a silver award in 2010 and the bronze award in 2009.

Carlson, who enjoys video production as a hobby, makes creation of the display board video an annual labor of love, demonstrating through his time and efforts a passionate devotion to his alma mater.

“It's a true pleasure to work and collaborate with current Linfield student-athletes, the Linfield coaching staff, and the Linfield sports information office in creating these yearly scoreboard videos,” he said. “There are many great people who volunteer their time and efforts to support Linfield athletics and my family is thrilled to be able to help promote what is truly an honorable athletic program.”

Colorado College received the Silver Award as runner-up and Grand Valley State was the recipient of the Bronze Award.

Conception and design of a new display board video for the 2012 season is already underway.