Scott Cummings, Sports Information Director at McKendree College (Ill.), has been named the 2005 recipient of the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association’s Clarence “Ike” Pearson Award. The honor is named for the former statistical crew chief for the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship and is given annually to an outstanding NAIA sports information director. The award, in its 29th year, will be presented July 2 at the Ike Pearson Awards Luncheon in conjunction with the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) national convention in Philadelphia, Pa.
Cummings is in his fifth year at McKendree. During that time he has earned three top finishes in the NAIA-SIDA publication awards contest for his football game programs and softball brochures. He also took home the “best cover” prize for his 2002 women’s basketball brochure. Cummings was the inaugural Region V Information Director and currently serves as the American Midwest Conference Sports Information Director.
A 1991 graduate of Union College (Ky.), Cummings began his career as the Director of Public and Sports Information at Union before graduation. He was named Sports Information Director and Campus Photographer in 1995 and was named conference sports information director of the year twice while at Union.
Cummings regularly brings his talent to the national level. He currently serves as NAIA-SIDA president and has served in a sports information capacity at 22 NAIA national championships. He has also provided media assistance for numerous conference, district and regional events.
James M. Dennis, President of McKendree says of Cummings is one of the most effective sports information directors he has known. “He is a tireless worker, an effective writer, a creative marketer and a person who understands the value of intercollegiate athletics,” Dennis says.
NAIA-SIDA is the professional association for sports information directors with the NAIA. The Clarence “Ike” Pearson Award is the association’s highest honor and recognizes its honoree for accomplishments and service performed over a career. Criteria for nomination include at least five years as a member of NAIA-SIDA and outstanding service to the profession and the NAIA at the conference, regional and national levels.