C of I's Mike Safford Receives Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award - Cascade Collegiate Conference Skip To Main Content

Cascade Collegiate Conference

C of I's Mike Safford Receives Clarence

C of I's Mike Safford Receives Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award

Bookmark and Share

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that Mike Safford Jr., longtime College of Idaho Director of Athletic Communications, is the recipient of the 2016 Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award.
 
The honor is named for the former statistical crew chief for the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship and is given annually to an outstanding NAIA Communications and Sports Information Director.  The award, in its 40th year, will be presented to Safford on Divisional Day next June at the College Sports Information Directors Association Convention in Dallas, Texas.
 
"I am humbled beyond words," Safford said. "It's the NAIA SID Hall of Fame.  Those who have won the Ike Pearson Award are the who's-who of NAIA SID's, they are the men and women who I have looked up to since I got into the profession nearly 20 years ago and to be recognized alongside them is truly amazing."
 
Safford, a 1998 graduate of Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in print/broadcast journalism, was a student-worker in the PLU sports information office for four years.  Following graduation, he became sports information director at the Evergreen State College, a position he held until the fall of 2001, when he made the move to the C of I.
 
Once in the Gem State, Safford radically changed the sports information department at the College – redesigning the athletics website, including creating the first C of I athletic portal in 2003 (working one three subsequent web redesigns, including the current YoteAthletics.com); began a comprehensive weekly newsletter on all Coyote athletic teams (which is in its 15th year); expanded the reach of Live Video and Live Audio broadcasts; implemented social media platforms for Coyote Athletics; all while increasing the visibility of the 19 intercollegiate and multiple club teams in the growing Boise market.
 
The four-time Mike Booth Cascade Conference Sports Information Director of the Year award winner has been involved at the conference and national levels for years.  He served four years as chair of the CCC SID's; served three years as a member of the CoSIDA College Division Management Advisory Committee; and has begun a two-year term as an at-large representative on the NAIA-SIDA Board of Directors. Safford worked as a network broadcaster at the NAIA World Series in Lewiston for seven years; has been a contest coordinator for the NAIA-SIDA Publications Contest since 2007; and has assisted the C of I women's golf program as a national rater since 2010.
 
"I often refer to Mike as the "Magician" for his ability to handle so many SID tasks at one time," said Rob Cashell, CCC Commissioner.  He is a trusted and relied upon veteran in the CCC.  His colleagues respect his work, opinions and continually look to him for best practices.  Mike Safford is a wonderful example of what is right in college athletics administration."
 
In 2003, Safford created the first CCC SID Manual, a document that is now a standard for athletic communicators in multiple conferences throughout the Northwest.  In 2011, he worked with the Associated Press to develop a process to ensure all CCC basketball scores were on the national wire.
 
Safford has served as tournament director and chief statistician for 29 conference or national tournament events, including seven NAIA Opening Round Championships, while assisting with media relations at the 2011 and 2013 United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association National Championships in Sun Valley.
 
His work has been honored by both CoSIDA and the NAIA-SIDA, earning 42 Top-10 placements in the NAIA-SIDA Publications Contests (including three "Best in the NAIA" awards) and two CoSIDA Publication Distinctions.
 
His collaboration with the local media has been a key in the promotion of multiple big stories involving Coyote Athletics.  Though the reestablishment of the C of I football program would be at the top of his list, Safford also was instrumental in promoting 11 total trips to the NAIA National Championships by the C of I basketball programs; runs to the NAIA World Series in baseball and softball; multiple USCSA national championships by C of I skiers and snowboarders; and the success of 11-time NAIA champion runner Hillary Holt and her trip to the finals of the 2013 USATF National Championships.
 
"Mike's knowledge of the Coyote athletic teams in unparalleled," said Mike Stetson, former beat writer for the Idaho Press Tribune and current SID at Northwest Nazarene University.  "His ability to anticipate needs – whether in terms of watching records, looking for insightful story ideas, or simply lending a hand with coverage during busy sports times – made him an invaluable asset for myself as a reporter and for the media in the greater-Boise area."
 
The native of Puyallup, Wash., has served as the Voice of the Coyotes since 2001, serving as the radio and online broadcaster of C of I baseball, basketball, volleyball and softball, while hosting the weekly football radio coaches' show since its inception in 2013.  Safford also doubled as the play-by-play voice and baseball information director for the Boise Hawks, a Chicago Cubs Class-A affiliate, for 10 seasons.
 
"I am thankful for former PLU SID Nick Dawson for giving me the bug for sports information in college and for (C of I athletic director) Marty Holly to take a chance on a young, unproven kid years ago," Safford remarked. "Marty's direction and passion for Coyote Athletics showed me what intercollegiate athletics can do for a campus and a community. To be able to tell the amazing stories of our student-athletes; to chronicle the success of Coyote athletic teams over the years; to work with such outstanding coaches; and to be able to share the enthusiasm with countless supporters and fans, it's second-to-none. I am also thankful for my wife Liza and son Parker for standing by my side during the countless road trips and late nights."
 
Dr. Marv Henberg, former College of Idaho president, sums Safford up best.
 
"There could not be a better, more upbeat person than Mike Safford.  Overwork can make many grouches of many of us, but not Mike.  He always has a good word and a smile for everyone he meets.  It is obvious that he loves what he does.  It is equally obvious that he loves doing it well."
 
The Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award was first given in 1977. Safford's legacy joins an impressive list of former winners that include: Melvin Schreves, Elon College (N.C.); Gene Warren, Pembroke State University (N.C.); Stan Green, Harding University (Ark.); Don Briggs, University of Nebraska-Kearney; Dr. D.L. Ligon, Midwestern State University (Texas); Fred Nuesch, Texas A&I University; Andy Solomon, Winthrop University (S.C.); Kevin Keys, Liberty Baptist College (Va.); Tim Petermann, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Mac Sisson, Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.); Gary Spitler, Pembroke State University (N.C.); Walt McAlexander, Lubbock Christian University (Texas); Larry Smith, Arkansas Tech University; Larry Scott, Minnesota State University-Moorhead; Bobby Hall, Wayland Baptist University (Texas); Reed Richmond, Tarleton State University (Texas); Paul Madison, Western Washington University; Jerry Hanson, Briar Cliff College (Iowa); Bill Boote, Northwestern College (Iowa); Bob Guptill, Central Washington University; Gary Pine, Azusa Pacific University (Calif.); Mark Bankert, Malone College (Ohio); David Fillmore, Evangel College (Mo.); Mark Womack, Cedarville College (Ohio); Russ Blunck, Western Oregon University; Ray Fink, Oklahoma Baptist University; Ken Isaak, Fresno Pacific University (Calif.); Jeff Raymond, Westmont College (Calif.); Scott Cummings, McKendree University (Ill.); Sam Ghrist, Eastern Oregon University; A. John Pearson, Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference; Dave Parsons, Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio); Candy Sullinger, College of the Ozarks (Mo.); Jay Stancil, Union College (Ky.); Michael MacEachern, SCAD Savannah (Ga.); Steven Aldridge, Union University (Tenn.); Steve Wilson, Park University (Mo.); Jared Bodammer, Briar Cliff University (Iowa); and most recently, Chris Wells, Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.).

NAIA-SIDA is the professional association for sports information directors within the NAIA. The Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award is the association's highest honor and recognizes its honoree for accomplishments and services performed over a career. Criteria for nomination include at least five years as a member of the NAIA-SIDA and outstanding service to the profession and the NAIA at the conference and national levels.

Sponsors