CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dr. Edward M. “Dick” Singleton, the first Commissioner of the Big South Conference from 1983-1989, was recognized this evening as the first recipient of the inaugural Big South Conference Leadership Award as part of the League’s 25th Anniversary Kickoff Banquet at the Renaissance Suites Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.  Unable to attend due to health reasons, the man who succeeded him as commissioner in 1989, Buddy Sasser, accepted the award on his behalf.

The award, which has been named after Dr. Singleton, was created as part of the Big South’s “Developing Leaders Through Athletics” initiative to recognize a former Big South student-athlete or administrator that has exhibited exemplary leadership and character during their career.

Born in Bucksport, S.C., Dr. Singleton graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1949, earned his master’s degree in education in 1956 and his doctorate in education administration in 1971.  He also served his country as a physical reconditioning instructor in the Army for three years during World War II.

He worked for the Conway, S.C., public school system from 1949-1962, including the last two years as Superintendent.  In 1963, he became Chancellor of Coastal Carolina College of the University of South Carolina.  He served in that role for 20 years before being named Chancellor Emeritus in July 1983.

In September 1983, Dr. Singleton was hired as the Big South Conference’s first commissioner.  He immediately continued the efforts of League founders Howard Bagwell and George Christenberry by adding members in Armstrong State, Radford and UNC Asheville to previously committed Augusta, Charleston Southern, Campbell University, Coastal Carolina and Winthrop – giving the Big South more than the required six members to constitute an official conference.

Dr. Singleton oversaw the Big South’s first year of competition in the Fall of 1984, and in September 1986, the Big South Conference was granted full-fledged NCAA Division I status.  He led the Conference through the growth and expansion of the sports program, as he started the League with just five men’s sports but later instituted the addition of six women’s sports – basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, golf and volleyball – and eventually increased the League’s sports sponsorship to 12 during his tenure.

His time as commissioner also included the Big South’s first-ever basketball program – men’s or women’s – to appear in a postseason tournament when Radford’s women’s basketball team was invited to the National Women’s Invitational Tournament.  His vision and leadership established a solid base for the Big South Conference during its formative years and laid the foundation for the League’s future.

“What better way to inaugurate this award than to honor a man that was so integral in the formation of the Big South Conference,” said Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander.  “Dr. Singleton’s vision and leadership is an inspiration to everyone.”