CLARION - Rich Herman, who is entering his 30th year as the Clarion University Sports Information Director, was recently named as President of the Division II Sports Information Directors (D-2 SIDA), a sub-group withing the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Herman, who replaces outgoing president Roy Pickerill of Kentucky Wesleyan, took over his duties as president at the CoSIDA Convention in San Antonio, Texas, June 21-26.
"It's an honor and a privilege top be selected to serve as president of D-II SIDA," Herman said. "In this position, I pledge to do all I can to advocate Sports Information among our colleagues, in CoSIDA and throughout the NCAA in helping advance Division II athletics. This is an important responsibility, and I am looking forward to meeting the challenges that will be presented along the way."
D2SIDA represents SIDs from NCAA Division II institutions and works together with other management groups from around Division II as well as the Board of Directors of CoSIDA on issues critical to Division II.
Herman, who received a 25-year award from CoSIDA last year, served as the vice-president of D2SIDA from 2007-2009. He is an award winning SID having won 19 citations for sports publicans while also receiving the NCAA Division I Wrestling "SID of the Year" award from the National Wrestling Media Association in March 1999.
The Vice-Chairman of CoSIDA's Publications Contest Committee, he has served on the committee since 1990, Herman was also a charter member of Clarion's Sports Hall of Fame and has twice served as the committee chair including currently. He was the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's (PSAC) football SID from 1985-93 and the vice president of the PSAC SIDs from 1988-92.
Very active in the Clarion community as well, Herman has served on Clarion's Borough Council since 2001 and was a member of the borough's Civil Service Commission from 1996-2001.
A native of Ellwood City, Pa., Herman earned 3 baseball letters , was a two-year starting catcher and an all-section selection (1972) at Lincoln High. He also earned 3 letters in golf and 2 in basketball before graduating in 1972.
A 1976 graduate of Point Park College, Herman was a dean's list student and received a bachelor's degree in journalism and communications. He was a four-year letterman at catcher for the Pioneers' baseball team, which won three District 18 titles and placed fourth in the NAIA College Baseball World Series in 1975.
From 1976-80, Herman worked in radio and public relations and was the graduate assistant SID at Edinboro prior to coming to Clarion University in August 1980.
Herman was Clarion's head baseball coach from 1989-99. His players and teams won NCAA individual titles and set NCAA, PSAC and Clarion records. He was an assistant baseball coach at Clarion from 1980-87.
Herman and his wife, Paula, reside in Clarion.
