CLEVELAND – Former Pittsburg State University President Dr. Steve Scott is one of six individuals selected to receive the 2026 Meritorious Service Award from the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA).
 
Scott is joined by Missouri Southern's Sallie Beard; Dave Brunk, former Commissioner of the Peach Belt Conference and the Northeast 10 Conference; South Carolina Aiken's Dr. Sandra Jordan; Tampa's Larry Marfise; and Cameron's Kim Vinson.
 
Scott, an alumnus of Pittsburg State University, served as the ninth President at his alma mater from 2009-2021. For the past three decades, Dr. Scott has served the university in every leadership capacity possible: as a faculty member in the College of Education, chair of the Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies, dean of the College of Education, vice president for Academic Affairs, and as the University's provost. 

During Dr. Scott's tenure as President, the campus saw some of the most ambitious building projects in its history, including the funding and completion of the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, Block22 mixed use district, the Plaster Indoor Athletics Center, and the expansion of the Overman Student Center. Beyond his service to Pittsburg State, Dr. Scott held seats on numerous regional and national councils and boards, including serving as a member (2012 - 2016) and chair (2016) of the NCAA Division II Presidents Council, and as the chair of the MIAA CEO Council (2019-2021). During his time leading the MIAA CEO Council, Dr. Scott helped the Association navigate the issues and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he helped implement numerous health and safety league-wide protocols to allow the MIAA to be one of the first NCAA conferences to return to practice and competition in the fall of 2020. 

Dr. Scott has lived a life of purpose, and he has been committed to serving others. During his tenure, he was a respected leader in intercollegiate athletics, and his understanding of the role and purpose of intercollegiate athletics, and his unrivaled enthusiasm for the student-athlete experience provided opportunities for athletics service and his eventual election to leadership roles for both the NCAA and the MIAA. Dr. Scott continues to be a champion to the principles outlined in "Life in the Balance." 
 
The D2 CCA Meritorious Service Award recognizes a commissioner with 10 years of service once he/she leaves the position for the time and dedication they have made to Division II and is decided by the full CCA membership upon recommendation by the Awards Committee. In addition, other individuals, including but not limited to conference office staff, institutional staff members, or NCAA staff members are also eligible to be recognized with this award. The intent is to recognize these individuals once they retire or depart Division II; however, if an individual goes above and beyond in service to Division II, in particular, the CCA, they may be recognized even if they are still employed at a Division II conference office or institution.