MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University Athletic Department has established the Steve McCloskey Service Award and presented the inaugural honor to Michael Maniscalco at halftime of Saturday's men's basketball game against East Stroudsburg.
 
The award will be given annually to a Mansfield University student who embodies the Mansfield University spirit and provides exemplary service to the athletic department. It was named in honor of longtime sports information director/director of athletic operations and information Steve McCloskey who will retire on Friday, March 3 after dedicating 28 years to serving Mountaineer student-athletes.
 
A 1991 graduate of Mansfield University, Steve was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame this past summer and has received numerous awards for his dedication and service to the profession. Among his greatest accomplishments is McCloskey's ability to help mold young sports information professionals. More than 25 former student-assistants have gone into the sports information profession at all levels including the NFL, ESPN and NCAA Division I, II and III.
 
A four-year standout on the sprint football team, Maniscalco holds nearly every program season and career passing record. He was named Mansfield University Fall Athlete of the Year and was a 2^nd Team All-CSFL selection as a senior. Following his playing career, Maniscalco has served as an assistant coach for Mountaineer sprint football.
 
Maniscalco is also the chair of the Mansfield University Relay for Life, news director for the WNTE student radio station and earned a 4.0 GPA last semester. A senior mass communication: sports information student, Maniscalco worked in the sports information office this past fall as part of an internship to fulfill the requirements for his degree.