NSU Tabs Flemming, Revamps Department Duties

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Tony Duckworth, Director of Athletics and Chief Athletics Officer at Northeastern State, has announced the hiring of Cedrique Flemming as Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations as part of a departmental restructuring plan.

Flemming will join the RiverHawks' staff July 1 and replaces Scott Pettus. Pettus, Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations, will resume athletic development and broadcasting responsibilities for NSU this fall.

"After evaluating the Department of Athletics over the past year, I am excited about the new model we are moving toward in the coming year," said Duckworth. "The staffing modifications and website redesign that will occur over the next several months will position our department well as we transition into the MIAA."

Flemming joins NSU after serving as a media relations assistant at the University of Tulsa where he was the direct contact for men's and women's tennis, cross country and track and field, as well as the secondary media relations contact for the Golden Hurricane football program. Earlier in his career, Flemming was an athletic media relations graduate assistant at Bemidji State and sports information intern at Charleston Southern. He also logged time as an edit intern at Sports Illustrated in the summer of 2007.

"I am very happy and honored to become the newest member of the RiverHawk family. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to further develop my skills as a media relations director, while also helping lead NSU athletics into what looks to be a bright and exciting future," said Flemming.

"I also want to personally thank Tony Duckworth for giving me this opportunity. He has been great to me throughout this process, and I'm eager to show him and the Northeastern State family what I can do."

Flemming earned his bachelor's degree from Kansas State in 2007 and a master's from Bemidji State in 2009. He has extensive experience as a media liaison for numerous NCAA championships in his career.

"Cedrique's passion, background and expertise in media relations and sports information will be a great addition to RiverHawks nation," said Duckworth. "I look forward to his addition to our team."

Pettus, a 1985 NSU graduate, has been employed at Northeastern State since 1993 and has overseen sports information, marketing and promotion since 1995. He was elevated to assistant athletic director for external operations in 1997 and later helped develop the NSU Athletic Association while serving in the development role for athletics from 2002 through 2008.

"With 30 years of history at Northeastern State, I can't recall a more exciting time," said Pettus. "Construction on our new Event Center is under way, we will begin conference membership this fall in the MIAA, we have identified short-term and long-term projects for all of our teams and we have a dedicated leadership team whose primary focus is aimed at giving our student-athletes a meaningful collegiate athletic experience. Many of these projects will require outside funding sources, so I am excited about reconnecting with NSU alumni, lettermen and fans of all eras to make these happen.

"I have always considered radio as the impetus that began my career in athletic administration," he said. "It is an immediate way to bring the games to life for the listener. And, we also get to watch our student-athletes and coaches succeed and share with them those milestones."

Pettus began his career as news/sports director and program director at KTLQ/KEOK radio in Tahlequah. He has broadcast over 1,000 high school, college and professional sporting events since 1981, including NSU's 1994 national championship football game. He returns to the booth this fall in place of Bill Huddleston, who has served as the voice of NSU Athletics for several seasons.

"Scott's new, but familiar, role will allow him the opportunity to enhance our development efforts while utilizing his broadcasting and promotion talents," said Duckworth. "Scott and I have discussed how important it will be to maximize our advancement efforts during the construction of the Event Center.

"Bill Huddleston is a consummate professional who served NSU Athletics well during his time as the voice of the RiverHawks. He did an outstanding job championing NSU."