The 2017 Sports Information Director of the Year award winner is Donnie Smith from Southeastern University (Fla.). This honor is presented to one SID based on the accomplishments during the previous year in the areas of athletics communication, sports information, promotion and service to the NAIA.
Since arriving on campus in 2013-14, Donnie has been instrumental in developing the media relations efforts at Southeastern, providing exceptional coverage for all 15 of Southeastern’s sports. In his short time at Southeastern, Donnie has already added live streaming for every home contest, a weekly studio show and one-on-one interviews with student-athletes and coaches, as well as landing SEU in the NAIA’s Top-10 for social media growth for three of the past four years.
Donnie also serves as the Associate SID for The Sun Conference, providing coverage for the league’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis and Baseball programs. He helped to host three Sun Conference Championships in 2016-17, acted as the Media Coordinator for the 2016 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship and as the Official Scorer at the 2017 NAIA Softball World Series. Additionally, Donnie is the Chair of the NAIA-SIDA Branding Committee.
In addition to his contributions to Southeastern University, The Sun Conference and the NAIA, Donnie serves as an excellent resource to his colleagues and is always working to move the Sports Information industry forward.