College Sports Information Directors of America

Tipton, Penn., native Steven Crider was named as Sports Information Director (SID) at Penn State Altoona.  At just 21 years of age, he becomes one of the youngest full time sports information directors at any college or university in the country. 
 
We are very excited to add Steve to our athletics staff, said Penn State Altoona athletic director Fredina Ingold. We have enjoyed watching him grow from an undergraduate intern to a full-time staff member over the last year. He brings great enthusiasm and excitement to the position, and with his hiring, we can now expand the coverage and public exposure of Lion athletics.
 
The 2003 Bellwood Antis High School graduate continued his education at California University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a Communication degree in just three years. The final year was not spent on the California campus, as he returned home to complete a two-semester internship with Penn State Altoonas athletic department. He finished his education this past August, interviewed for the SID position in October, and days later was hired effective December 18.
 
Im flattered and very grateful to Chancellor Bechtel, Fredina Ingold, Brent Baird, and all the wonderful people at Penn State Altoona for this opportunity, noted Crider.  Working with the staff over the past 13 months has reaffirmed my commitment to Penn State Altoona, the athletics department, and this line of work. This is certainly a gigantic first step in my career.
 
Crider will serve as the primary media contact for the athletics department. His other responsibilities will include writing press releases, creating athletic publications, maintaining the athletics website, marketing and promoting teams and athletes, overseeing statistics and in-game management, and working closely with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference and NCAA. During his internship and part-time employment, Crider assumed most of the sports information responsibilities from his boss and mentor, Brent Baird. 
 
It will certainly be a welcome challenge, Crider said, referring to the day to day tasks of an SID. But Ive been doing the job for the past year and my familiarity with the policies and procedures at Penn State Altoona makes the transition to full-time work much easier.
 
At Bellwood-Antis High School, Crider played varsity basketball for four years and junior varsity and varsity baseball for three. During his senior year, he played an integral role in the schools third-ever District VI boys basketball championship and was named an Altoona Mirror third-team all star. At California (PA), he was heavily involved in the schools radio and TV broadcasting program, doing play-by-play for Vulcan sports teams and anchoring the sports segment of California University TVs NewsCenter program. He completed an internship with Kellie Goodman at WTAJ-TV 10 Sports in summer 2004.
 
Much of the credit goes to my family, friends, teachers, colleagues, and everyone else who has helped prepare me for a professional career, said Crider. Without those influences, I would not be in the position I am today.  
 
Crider resides in Tipton with his parents and sister Haley, who is a freshman at Penn State Altoona and starts on the schools volleyball team.