May 29, 2012 (Jackson) - Scott Little, Director of Athletics and VP for Student Affairs & Athletics, was named the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Athletics Director of the Year at the annual SSAC Awards banquet. Little was selected for this year award by the Athletics Directors in the SSAC.
“Scott is a remarkable leader who would excel in any area, but his love for athletics and his heart for student athletes make him especially effective in this role as AD,” said Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott. “Since he took on the leadership of athletic department, the University has taken quantum leaps forward in our level of professionalism, efficiency and service, all while taking Belhaven athletics to our most competitive level ever. I know Scott well enough to predict he will give away all the credit to coaches and his staff, but he deserves this award, because it is his leadership that has inspired and equipped so many to build Belhaven athletics to compete well, honor Christ, and teach student athletes a pattern for success.”
Little is in his eleventh year at Belhaven University and has served as Director of Athletics since 2007. Under Little leadership, the Belhaven Athletics Department has achieved success both on the field and in the classroom.
Notable Athletics accomplishments during his tenure include: New conference affiliation as a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC); the highest Athletics Department finish in the Learfield Sports Director Cup Standings (59th in 2011); yearly designation as a Champions of Character institution; increased academic achievement among athletes as Academic Department award winners and 3.0 Club achievers; implementation of over $600,000 in facility improvements for softball, football, men and women basketball, volleyball, men and women soccer, and men and women tennis; first-ever World Series (baseball) and National Tournament (softball, women basketball) appearances in Belhaven history; returns to the National Tournament for men soccer, men basketball, and men tennis; development of a new Athletics brand identity, and the launch of a new Athletics website.
“I am grateful for this honor from SSAC colleagues I respect and really enjoy working with,” commented Little. “I also appreciate the support of our President, Dr. Roger Parrott, and the opportunity he has given me to serve as AD at Belhaven. We have a super group of student-athletes who are led by a solid team of coaches and staff, and it exciting to see them each year compete for championships and mature as men and women.”
Belhaven University is a member of the NAIA, Southern States Athletic Conference and Mid-South Conference and sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports. Belhaven is an institution that focuses on preparing students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus.
Belhaven stands among the select Christian colleges and universities that offer a unique general core curriculum encouraging the development of a personal worldview. The university believes a Christian worldview is a key to preparing men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Founded in 1883, Belhaven University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta and online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs.