KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The NAIA announced today that former Fire Assistant Athletics Director for Communications, Donnie Smith, has been named the 2023-24 Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award winner.
"To be listed next to some of the biggest influences in my career on the list of Ike Pearson recipients is one of the most humbling moments of my life," said Smith. "I'm so incredibly grateful to many of those that have been previously honored that have always answered the phone when I've called and loaned their expertise when I've been at a crossroads or just needed to vent. My success is a direct reflection of so many of those that were willing to assist when I needed it and I'm so blessed to be able to call them friends."
Named in honor of the former statistical crew chief of the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship, the Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award recognizes a member of the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association (NAIA-SIDA) for their outstanding contributions to the profession.
"Donnie is one of the most dedicated people I have ever had the privilege to work with," said Athletics Director, Drew Watson. "He is the consummate professional, whose efforts transformed our athletic communications operation into one of the best in the country during his time here. He is a difference-maker who gives selflessly of himself and his talents to others."
A two-time NAIA National Sports Information Director of the Year (2017 & 2021) and three-time Sun Conference SID of the year, Smith's contribution to his profession at the national level is well known. He's worked eight NAIA Football National Championship games assisting the NAIA national office and TV production teams, was the media coordinator for the 2016 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship in Delray Beach, Fla., the 2019 NAIA Men's and Women's Tennis National Championships in Mobile, Ala. and was the official scorer for the 2017 and 2018
NAIA Softball World Series in Clermont, Fla.
In addition to his efforts in the field, Smith currently serves on the Executive Board for College Sports Communicators (CSC) and was honored with the CSC's 2023 Rising Star Award in the University Division. His contributions to CSC programming at the NACDA Convention over the years have been substantial. He has also served in leadership for NAIA-SIDA.
"I want to thank all of the people I got to share an office with during my time at Southeastern," added Smith. "I was so incredibly blessed to have great assistants, graduate assistants, and interns that were dedicated to doing high level work and didn't mind the long hours, nights, and weekends while making it fun."
"I appreciate having the support and patience of administrators and leadership that allowed our team to try, fail, and learn and were encouraged to find a way to get to 'yes' when someone had a big idea."
Smith is currently the Assistant AD for Media Relations for Jacksonville State.
