TAMPA, Fla. -- Donnie Smith of Southeastern University has been named The Sun Conference Sports Information Director (SID) of the Year as voted on by his peers among the league. This is Smith’s third time earning this award in seven years previously winning in 2016-17 and 2020-21.

Smith has led Southeastern’s sport information department for the past eleven years, and in 2017 and 2021 was awarded NAIA Sports Information Director of the Year. This year, the athletic department finished first atop the Sun Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings for the fourth time in the past five seasons.

His awards have come as a result of covering the Fire’s 21 sports throughout the year. Whether it be commentating on broadcasts, inputting stats, writing the pre or post game article, or directing interviews, Smith has put forth his best efforts making the Southeastern Sports Information Department the best it can be.

"Donnie is truly the best in the business at what he does, and I don't only mean in just the conference or the NAIA,” Southeastern Director of Athletics Drew Watson commented. “His attention to detail, incredible work ethic, ability to adjust on the fly, and dry wit are just a few of the things that make him so good at what he does, and that doesn't even include his talents as a play-by-play announcer. I count it a privilege to have worked with him for 11 years. We are all very proud of him.”

Through his eleven years, the Fire have won three NAIA National Championships, twice in baseball and once in Men’s Indoor Track and Field. This season, Southeastern earned 69 All-Sun Conference athletes and the Sun Conference tournaments saw the Fire in 13 different finals, six of which they claimed.

"On behalf of our team at Southeastern, I'm honored to accept this award,” Smith said. “I'm grateful for the efforts of all of the people that help make what we do a success. It is truly a team effort, and I appreciate the support we've gotten from our campus.”

This year in the Sun Conference, Smith helped orchestrate hosting different SUN championships as the Fire were home to the men’s and women’s golf tournament and the women’s basketball tournament. He also was the play-by-play announcer for the entirety of the three-day 2024 Sun Conference Softball Championship.

Smith also currently serves as the President of the NAIA-SIDA Executive Board and is the College Division Representative on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Executive Board of Directors. 

Smith now advances to the national ballot for the NAIA SID of the Year Award which will be announced on September 15th.
 

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ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now entering its 34th year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 24 NAIA sports. Learn more at thesunconference.com