The Gidel/Lombardo Lecture in Sports Communication is a recurring lecture series featuring a sports journalist, sports publicist, or other sports communicator.

The Gidel/Lombardo Family Fund for Academic and Program Excellence was established in 2006 by Robert and Linda Gidel and members the Lombardo family. This fund honors their son, Robert (Rob) W. Gidel. Rob is a 2006 graduate of the School of Journalism and Telecommunications. Funds from the endowment may be used to support scholarships, internships, workshops, distinguished alumni lectures, student travel, seminar speakers, publications, to provide assistance to extracurricular student organizations and clubs, student recruitment, and other related activities. Because of Rob's interest in sports broadcasting, a sports journalism lecture is presented annually. The first lecture in 2010 was delivered by NBC sportscaster Bob Costas.