College Sports Information Directors of America

Karl Park, director of sports information for Eastern Kentucky University, has announced his retirement from EKU, effective Dec. 31, 2003. Park, a 1970 graduate of EKU, has been the Colonel SID for 33 years. For 23 years, Park was the lone employee of the Sports Information office, handling the publicity for as many as 21 sports on his own. Through last season, Park ranks eighth in the nation among college sports information directors with 271 consecutive football games worked. “Karl Park has served Eastern faithfully for 33 years, bringing positive attention to our outstanding intercollegiate athletics program and student-athletes,” said EKU President Joanne K. Glasser. “As I've gotten to know Karl and worked with him on various projects, I came to appreciate so much his easy-going nature and can-do attitude. We'll certainly miss him on the job but, as one of EKU's most loyal supporters, he deserves this opportunity to relax and cheer on his beloved Colonels from the stands." Park has spent all but five years of his life on “The Campus Beautiful,” attending Model Lab and EKU before starting his stint as the SID, Aug. 1 1970. He served as sports editor of the school newspaper, The Eastern Progress, for three years while a student and was a member of the basketball and football stats crews for four years. Park earned his undergraduate degree in general business in 1970 and completed his masters degree in sports administration from EKU in 1979. The Richmond native is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA), the United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. He formerly served a six-year stint as Mideast Director of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. “The demands on the life of a university sports information director are very difficult and time-consuming. Throughout his distinguished career, Karl met every challenge with tremendous grace and professionalism,” said EKU Athletics Director John Shafer. “I knew of his solid reputation before I came to Eastern earlier this year, and I have seen for myself these past few months why he is so highly regarded.” He received national recognition for the production of EKU’s three seasonal media guides for 1978-79 and 1979-80. The winter sports guide was voted Best in the Nation - Division A for those two years. Park, 54, was a member of the Ohio Valley Conference's 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee in 1987-88 and also served on the OVC's 50th Anniversary Committee. He recently served his eighth year on the Verizon Academic All-America Committee as District IV Coordinator for the Men’s University Division Soccer, Cross Country/Track and Baseball Teams. “When I think of Karl Park, I think of his loyalty, longevity, dedication and love of Eastern Kentucky University,” said former EKU head football coach Roy Kidd. “I don’t know anybody more loyal than Karl. He has given a lifetime to this university and he has always been great to me. He is just a super person.” During his tenure, Park has been a part of 84 Ohio Valley Conference championship teams and two football national titles in 1980 and 1982. “Eastern has been my life,” said Park. “I’ve heard people like Coach Kidd say that when it’s time to retire, you’ll know, and I definitely know that this is the right time for me. “I have a lot of emotions surrounding this decision,” added Park. “I’m sad because I’ll be leaving behind something that I love. I’m also looking forward to becoming a fan and being able to enjoy other parts of the EKU contests that I haven’t been able to take part in for so many years.” Park is married to the former Shelley Steele of Owingsville and they have two children: a daughter, Rachel, and a son, Drew.