Bio

Scott Cummings spent nearly 31 years of his professional career as a Sports Information Director, including six years at the AMC (2005-11) and 21 years at McKendree University from 1999-2020 before passing away on Dec. 3, 2020, following an 18-month battle with throat cancer.  

For 31 years of this professional career, Cummings was the ultimate servant, often spending 70-80 hours per week strictly focusing on promoting student-athletes at the two schools he worked at and also serving as a mentor to many and friend to all. He had a "can-do" attitude, willingness and desire to put others first.

He received the Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award in 2005, the highest honor that can be given to an SID at the NAIA level, and was recognized in 2020 with the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) 25-Year Award for his long-time commitment and service to the athletic communications profession.

He was a winner of 57 NAIA-SIDA Publication Contest Awards, including 10 first-place awards. Additionally, Cummings was president of NAIA Sports Information Directors from 2003-05, was also a member of CoSIDA and NAIA-SIDA for 30 years, and served as media coordinator for 17 NAIA National Championships.

His contributions to the NAIA over his 30-year career include serving as a media coordinator, a statistician and a mentor to new SIDs and many NAIA staff. Cummings served as the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship media coordinator for 15 years (1997-2001) and also worked in the same capacity for the NAIA championships at Women's Golf (2000), Men's Wrestling (2000) and Outdoor Track & Field (2008-09). Additionally, he was the official statistician at the NAIA Football National Championship for 13 years (1999-2011).

Following his passing, the American Midwest Conference (AMC) changed the naming of the Conference's annual Sports Information Director (SID) of the Year award in honor of the late Cummings.

He was inducted into the McKendree Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 23, 2021, and was recently selected for induction into the 2021-22 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame.