OXFORD, Ohio- The River States Conference is pleased to announce the selection of University of Rio Grande Sports Information Director Randy Payton as the 2024-25 River States Conference Sports Information Director of the Year. Payton, who just completed his 14th year at Rio Grande, earns the award for the second time in his career, having previously been honored in 2016.
Payton becomes just the fourth SID in River States Conference history to be so honored by the conference more than once.
The River States Conference SID of the Year award was established in 2014-15. It annually recognizes one honoree for outstanding service and dedication to the sports information role in promotion of their student-athletes, school, conference and the NAIA. It is voted on by athletic directors and SIDs within the conference.
"Randy Payton is a shining example of what an SID can mean to their institution," River States Conference Assistant Commissioner Ryan Murphy said. "He is a resource not just on his campus, but across the River States Conference; every school should be so lucky as to have a Randy Payton in their sports information office."
Payton has had a long and storied career in sports media, predating his time at the University of Rio Grande. Prior to his arrival at Rio Grande, Payton spent 18.5 years as the Sports Editor of The Wayne County News in Wayne, W.Va., where he won numerous WV Press Association awards for Best Sports News Writing, Best Sports Page or Pages, Best Sports Section and Best Special Section. He is also a past president of the WV Sports Writers Association and served as the chairman of its high school baseball All-State committee from 2005-2011.
During the 2024-25 school year, Payton played a major role in conference operations, in addition to his work at Rio Grande. Payton was the main sports information professional on site during both the RSC Outdoor Track and Softball Championships, providing standout coverage to athletes in those sports.
In his nomination materials, the defining characteristic of Payton, beyond his tireless work ethic, was how much he genuinely cares about those wearing the RedStorm colors.
"What truly distinguishes Randy is the joy he finds in interacting with student-athletes; he doesn’t just document their performance — he connects with them on a personal level, supports them throughout their collegiate journey, and celebrates their growth as individuals," the nominator remarked. "Coaches and athletes alike hold Randy in the highest regard, not just for his work, but for the consistent support and genuine care he brings to every interaction."
YEAR BY YEAR -- RSC/KIAC SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
2014-15 -- Kevin Taylor (Point Park)
2015-16 -- Randy Payton (Rio Grande)
2016-17 -- Kyle Wright (IU East)
2017-18 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2018-19 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2019-20 -- Kyle Wright (IU East)
2020-21 -- Karina Graziani (Carlow)
2021-22 -- Kevin Taylor (Point Park/RSC)
2022-23 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2023-24 -- Dylan Brown (Midway)
2024-25 -- Randy Payton (Rio Grande)