By James Summerlin,Sports Editor
Steven Aldridge, Union University sports information director, received the Clarence “Ike” Pearson award for 2012, which honors the outstanding accomplishments of a sports information director in the NAIA.
Aldridge, winner of five TranSouth Conference SID of the Year awards, will be honored June 22 at the Ike Pearson Awards Luncheon during the NAIA-SID Convention in St. Louis.
Aldridge said he was honored and surprised just to be nominated for the prestigious award. He added he is able to accomplish a lot of his responsibilities because of the students who work for him.
“I really owe a lot to the college students who have helped me as student workers,” Aldridge said. “It makes the wheel go ’round and allows us to do a lot more things, too. I share this (award) with them, because you don’t get to do the things I get to do without having people you can trust leading the charge over stuff.”
Aldridge also acknowledged faculty and staff members who contribute to what he is able to do. His kudos included all members of the coaching staffs at Union.
“The coaches work well with me,” Aldridge said. “I talk to other SIDs and hear horror stories with having to deal with certain coaches. I’ve been so blessed here that there hasn’t been a coach I haven’t been able to work with. I don’t have horror stories.”
Aldridge’s responsibilities have not been limited to Bulldog athletics while working in his position. At the national level, Aldridge worked as the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship Media Coordinator from 2008 to2011.
He also served as the NAIA Softball National Championship Media Coordinator in 2009.
Aldridge has been an active member in the NAIA-Sport Information Directors Association and the College Sports Information Directors of America. He served as an officer for two terms in the organization from 2009 to 2011.
His work involving the NAIA garnered respect from colleagues and from within the NAIA.
“He’s a team player,” said Chad Waller, NAIA director of communication. “A lot of us at NAIA schools wear many hats and multitask. The thing about Steven is that he does it with a smile on his face. He wants to know, ‘What else can I do?’”
Aldridge has served as Union’s sports information director for 12 years. He said the job requires long hours of behind-the-scenes work in producing a final product, but the job is unique. It’s what Aldridge wants to do.
“It’s a fun job,” Aldridge said. “I put groceries on my table at home by covering sporting events. There are no complaints with that.”
