College Sports Information Directors of America

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is proud to announce that Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director at Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) University, is the recipient of the 2008 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 32nd year, will be presented at the Ike Pearson Awards Luncheon on June 28th at Jackson's Bistro (blocks away from the Tampa Marriott). The ceremony is held in conjunction with the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA) national convention in Tampa, Fla.

"I am extremely humbled to receive the Ike Pearson Award and join the list of outstanding former recipients, many of whom I consider mentors and personal friends," said Parsons. "This award is a tribute to the fine coaches and student-athletes who make up the successful MVNU teams that make my job so rewarding and fun. It is also a tribute to my wife, Carla, and two daughters, Ashley and Kylie, who are so supportive of what I do and who put up with the crazy hours that I keep in order to do the best possible job that I can do."

Parsons is in his 10th season as the SID at his alma mater. Overall, he has performed in some sports-information capacity since 1990 at Mt. Vernon Nazarene. He is an active member of NAIA-SIDA and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and served on various committees. He currently holds office as NAIA-SIDA President in the first of his two-year term.

He has served as Tournament Director for events such as the women's basketball Wazie Shootout, the MVNU Volleyball Invitational and the NCCAA National Volleyball Tournament. His professional accolades include American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Grant Burger Media Award regional finalist in 2007; six CoSIDA writing contest awards including three Best in District honors; three CoSIDA publication contest awards including one Best Cover award; and numerous NAIA-SIDA contest awards.

A graduate of 1994, Parsons earned his Master's of Science degree in 2006 from MVNU.

"Dave not only carries out the expected tasks of his position, but he goes above and beyond his duties," said MVNU Athletics Director Scott Flemming in a recommendation letter. "MVNU has had numerous student-athletes win the top awards that the NAIA presents. Although these young men and women were deserving of these awards, they would never have happened without Dave's diligent work in initiating the nomination and gathering all the materials."

The Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award was first given in 1977. Parsons' legacy joins an impressive list of former winners that include: Melvin Schreves, Elon College (N.C.); Gene Warren, Pembroke State University (N.C.); Stan Green, Harding University (Ark.); Don Briggs, University of Nebraska-Kearney; Dr. D.L. Ligon, Midwestern State University (Texas); Fred Neusch, Texas A&I University; Andy Soloman, Winthrop University (S.C.); Kevin Keys, Liberty Baptist College (Va.); Tim Petermann, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Mac Sisson, Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.); Gary Spitler, Pembroke State University (N.C.); Walt McAlexander, Lubbock Christian University (N.C.); Larry Smith, Arkansas Tech University; Larry Scott, Minnesota State University-Moorhead; Bobby Hall, Wayland Baptist University (Texas); Reed Richmond, Tarleton State University (Texas); Paul Madison, Western Washington University; Jerry Hanson, Briar Cliff College (Iowa); Bill Boote, Northwestern College (Iowa); Bob Guptill, Central Washington University; Gary Pine, Azusa Pacific University (Calif.); Mark Bankert, Malone College (Ohio); David Fillmore, Evangel College (Mo.); Mark Womack, Cedarville College (Ohio); Russ Blunck, Western Oregon University; Ray Fink, Oklahoma Baptist University; Ken Isaak, Fresno Pacific University (Calif.); Jeff Raymond, Westmont College (Calif.); Scott Cummings, McKendree University (Ill.); Sam Ghrist, Eastern Oregon University and A. John Pearson, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference

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.