Golden Voice and Heart of Gold

McKendree University Sports Information Director Scott Cummings will be remembered as a man with a golden voice and a heart of gold.

He will also be remembered as a man that fought until the final buzzer.

Cummings, 52, passed away Thursday after an 18-month battle with throat cancer.

He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a cancer at the base of his tongue in the Fall of 2019. Cummings continued to work after his diagnosis, and had surgery to remove the cancer on Dec. 2, 2019.

Thinking back on the final time we worked together - Dec. 1 - the day prior to his surgery, Cummings spent the day serving as the public address announcer for three basketball games at Washington University in St. Louis.

Yes...you read that right. He did three games on the mic while fighting back a rusty voice and even some pain.

That is the Scott Cummings I will remember. Going above and beyond. Scott wasn't doing it for the money, he did it because he loved it. Scott was most comfortable behind the mic.

He would always joke with me..."Mitch, I got a face for radio."

We all knew Scott as a husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, co-worker, friend and colleague. Around the office he was known as Scotty, Ike, Scotty-2-Hotty, and even had a reference to Andy Reid every now and then.

A Bayonne, New Jersey native, he was a proud New York Yankees, New York Giants and New Jersey Devils fan. Did I mention he was a Yankees fan?

Cummings was recognized in 2020 with the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) 25-Year Award for his long-time commitment and service to the athletic communications profession.

He was in his 22nd season at McKendree, and concluded his career working 295 consecutive college football games dating back to 1992.

That's dedication.

Scott's close friend Dawn Harmon described him best..."Scott may be stubborn when it comes to him, but he is the most giving person when it comes to others. He is always quick to help another person whenever and however."

Cummings is a 1991 graduate of Union College (Ky.), and received the Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award in 2005, the highest honor that can be given to an SID at the NAIA level.

He is survived by his wife Paula and children Hailey Edison (Jeffrey) and Ryan.

"Work hard, show you care, and do what you love."

Scott instilled that in my head at a young age and I will never forget that.

His last text to me was on Nov. 21 at 9:31 p.m. - "Love you bro..."

Love you too Scotty. And I will miss that golden voice.

Till we meet again.

P.S. I kept this under 500 words just like Scott taught me.