Jonathan Gipson
He is seldom recognized, but you have seen his work. That is, you have read his work.
One of the most underappreciated positions in college athletics is that of the sports information director. At least it was until recently, when UAFS sports information director Jonathan W. Gipson was recognized for his efforts.
Gipson, who is in his sixth year as sports information director, was named the 2012-2013 Scott Puryear Heartland Conference Sports Information Director of the Year during last week’s conference meetings in Dallas.
“Jonathan is very deserving of this prestigious honor” Dr. Dustin Smith, UAFS director of athletics, said. “His tireless efforts to promote the UAFS athletic department, specifically the student-athletes who represent the Lions in athletics competition, merit recognition. He works hard to promote our programs and coaches as well.”
The recipient of the award, which is named in memory of former longtime Oklahoma Panhandle State sports information director Scott Puryear, is chosen by fellow sports information directors within the conference, and that tribute from his peers represents their high regard for Gipson’s work ethic and talent.
“I am very honored and humbled to have been named as our conference’s sports information director of the year,” said Gipson, who is the second-longest tenured sports information director in the conference. “It’s always an honor to have your work recognized by others, but it’s even more rewarding when that honor is bestowed upon you by your peers in the profession.”
A native of Washburn, Ark., Gipson is a 1992 honors graduate of Greenwood (Ark.) High School and a 1995 graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
He joined the UAFS athletics department staff in January of 2008 during the program’s transition from NJCAA to NCAA Division II and was the first SID in the history of the athletic department.
As sports information director, Gipson is in charge of media relations, game day statistical operations, athletic department publications and all official social media for the athletic department, which sponsors 10 NCAA Division II collegiate sports.
During his time as sports information director, Gipson has helped to increase the athletic program’s worldwide presence through the addition of a new athletic department website (www.uafortsmithlions.com) and social media outlets like Twitter (@UAFSSports) and Facebook (UA Fort Smith Athletics).
“I am truly happy that Jonathan was selected by his peers to receive this award” Smith said. “It speaks volumes about how he is thought of by his colleagues and how his work to promote UAFS through a variety of formats and venues was recognized. We are truly grateful for Jonathan’s efforts and so proud that he represents UAFS athletics in such a positive light.”
Prior to joining the UAFS athletic department staff, Gipson was sports editor for three years at The Gazette, a former weekly newspaper in Greenwood, Ark., and was recognized by the Arkansas Press Association with awards in headline writing and photography.
He also was a sports writer for 8 ½ years at the Times Record, which is based in Fort Smith and is the second-largest daily newspaper in Arkansas. There, he was the beat writer for Arkansas small schools, Greenwood High School, UAFS and miscellaneous sports like auto racing and fishing.
Gipson was recognized by the Arkansas Press Association in 2006 with a first place award in the sports story category for large dailies for his coverage of the UAFS men’s basketball team’s win in the championship game of the NJCAA Region II Tournament that earned it a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament.
“I’ve always believed that you never accomplish anything in life without having had someone help you along the way, and I have been blessed to have had countless people who, for whatever reason, saw something in me that they felt was worth taking a chance on,” Gipson said.
“People like former longtime Arkansas Tech sports information director Larry Smith, who gave me a chance to work with him when I was in college. There’s guys like (former UAFS athletic director and current baseball coach) Dale Harpenau, (UAFS women’s basketball coach) Louis Whorton and Dustin Smith, who were instrumental in bringing me to UAFS, and, most importantly, my mom and dad, who sacrificed a lot for me to be able to pursue my career and believed in me and supported me every step of the way.”
Along with his fulltime duties as sports information director, Gipson also teaches journalism at Greenwood High School and will begin his third year at his alma mater in August. He also serves as color commentator for the radio broadcasts of Greenwood High School basketball games.
Courtesy UAFS Department of Athletics
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