Aldridge promoted to Union associate AD

Staff reports

Union University's new athletics administration continues to be laid out as Steven Aldridge will become Associate Director of Athletics. In December, Mark Campbell was tabbed as the next Director of Athletics replacing Tommy Sadler, who is retiring May 31. Both Campbell and Aldridge will begin their new positions effective June 1, 2023.  

Campbell said, “Steven is a trusted friend and colleague that loves this place as much as I do. We have grown up here, we have established families in this community. He has a wealth of knowledge in our athletic department and an unmatched willingness to serve the institution in any capacity. When I think of servant leader, Steven’s name comes to mind first! I look forward to a deeper friendship and the opportunity to learn from him.” 

Campbell and Aldridge have worked in Union Athletics for a combined 47 years, over 20-plus years each. Campbell will remain as women's basketball coach in addition to his new role. Aldridge will assist Campbell with administrative duties, as well as provide oversight and leadership to the sports communications department. The sports communications department will gain an additional graduate assistant, increasing the media staff to three graduate assistants. 

Aldridge said, "I am extremely grateful to God for this opportunity. I am thankful to Dr. Oliver and Mark for trusting me with this position and to be a part of this new era of Union University Athletics. Mark will be the third AD during my time at Union (David Blackstock and Tommy Sadler being the other two), and all three are Union University legends. Each has demonstrated many years of successful leadership at Union. I love this place and I am grateful for the many great relationships and opportunities Union has allowed me to be a part of over the years. It is a great place to work and to raise a family." 

Aldridge is in his 23^rd season at Union in sports communications. He is very active in the sports communication field, currently serving on the NCAA Division II National SID Board as the South Region Representative. He is also currently serving his second year of a 2-year term as the Chair of the Gulf South Conference SID's. Aldridge is actively serving as a national voter for women's basketball D2SIDA Media Poll, south region chair for the women's basketball D2SIDA Media Poll, and the south region chair for women's soccer, men's soccer, and women's basketball D2CCA All-America Awards Program. He is a member of the College Sports Communicators national association (formerly CoSIDA) and the Tennessee Sports Writers Association. 

Aldridge has earned numerous awards from the university, the conference level, and the national level. In 2020, he was named the Union University Servant Leadership Program Supervisor of the Year, and in 2014, was named the Gary L. Carter Staff Member of the Year. In 2012, Aldridge was given the NAIA's highest SID award, being named the 36th Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award recipient. He was also named the TranSouth Conference SID of the Year five times. Aldridge has earned 55 top-10 publication awards including five first-place publication awards.  

In addition, Aldridge has served on various committees, served as the media coordinator for five NAIA National Tournaments, eight years as a national tournament official statistician, and served three years on the NAIA National SID Board. He led media operations as host in over 20 conference and region tournaments on campus at Union, including four NCAA D2 Region Basketball Tournaments since 2015.  

His professional career in sports started after college as the Box Office and Events Manager for the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, the first three years in Jackson for the double-A club.     Outside of his Union duties, Aldridge has been active in the media field. He co-hosted a local high school football radio show for six years, did color commentary for the inaugural West Tennessee High School Baseball All-Star Classic on local television, and called games in one TSSAA Baseball State Tournament. Aldridge did five years of local high school football radio broadcasting, including calling the two TSSAA DII-A Football State Championship Games.