JACKSON, Tenn. — April 25, 2012 — Steven Aldridge, sports information director at 51社区, has been named the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics鈥� Clarence 鈥淚ke鈥� Pearson Award winner for 2012.
The Ike Pearson Award, first given in 1977 and named for the former statistical crew chief for the NAIA men鈥檚 basketball national championship, is presented annually to an outstanding NAIA sports information director.
Aldridge will receive the award June 22 at the annual NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association convention at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Mo.
鈥淚 am extremely thankful and humbled to be chosen as this year鈥檚 Ike Pearson Award winner,鈥� Aldridge said. 鈥淭o be included with such outstanding professionals in our field is indeed a tremendous honor.鈥�
Aldridge, a native of Myrtle, Miss., is in his 12th year of serving as the sports information director at Union. During his tenure at Union, Aldridge has won five of six TranSouth Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year awards, including back-to-back honors in 2006-2007 and 2010-2011.
鈥淪teven鈥檚 work has won national awards and his service to the NAIA national office is well documented,鈥� said E.L. Hutton, former commissioner of the TranSouth Athletic Conference and NAIA Hall of Famer, in his recommendation letter. 鈥淭hose who have worked with him know that his character and the manner in which he conducts himself with others is what sets him apart. He was a champion of character long before the idea became part of the NAIA鈥檚 plan.鈥�
Aldridge earned a bachelor's degree from Union in sports management with an emphasis in marketing in 1998. In 2008, he completed his Master of Arts and Education degree from Union.