David Kidwell retired last week after 34 years of working at Eastern.

Kidwell, 58, was an Eastern graduate in 1970 and was hired as the sports information director in 1972. He held that position until 1997 when he was promoted to assistant athletic director for sports information and marketing.

During his tenure, Kidwell was in charge of numerous things regarding the media for all 22 Eastern sports. Included in those responsibilities are putting out press releases, media guides and updating the Eastern sports Web site.

“The challenge we face is trying to get our athletes the attention they deserve,” Kidwell said.

Ben Turner, assistant sports information director, was hired by Kidwell three years ago and considers him a mentor.

“He brought me in here, I really owe him a lot,” Turner said.

Turner said that it has been a real joy to work with Kidwell and that the amount of knowledge Kidwell has about Eastern athletics is unparalleled.

Kidwell has made an impression on people off this campus as well. Kim Melcher, Ohio Valley Conference assistant commissioner for media relations, has worked with Kidwell for nine years on different daily reporting activities for Eastern and the OVC.

“We will miss working with him on a day-to-day basis,” Melcher said. “He was an outstanding professional.”

Director of Athletics Rich McDuffie talked about how Kidwell has a great sense of humor and was never worried about the number of hours he was spending at work, but instead was only worried about getting the job done.

“He’s just been a great asset to this university,” McDuffie said.

Kidwell has helped publicize numerous athletic accomplishments during his time here.

Among the team accomplishments was a division II national championship for football in 1978, women’s basketball hosting a first round game of the NCAA tournament in 1988 and the 2001 men’s basketball team being featured in Sports Illustrated and also making the cover of USA Today.

Approximately 25 Eastern athletes have gone on to the NBA, NFL or Major League Baseball during Kidwell’s time here, most recently Tony Romo. Kidwell helped publicize Romo’s accomplishments in 2002 when the Panthers’ quarterback won the Walter Payton Award before landing with the Dallas Cowboys.

Kidwell will still be at Eastern quite a bit as he will be working on special projects for athletics on a part-time basis. Some of those special projects include working with the Eastern Hall of Fame and IHSA Track.

The main focus for Kidwell will be on the EI Club for former Panther athletes. Kidwell hopes to get those athletes more involved with the university as he thinks Eastern has not done enough with former athletes in the past.

Kidwell has given a lot to Eastern and has no regrets from his time here. He still plans on coming in just about every day for the special projects, only this time “maybe leave a little earlier.”

Regardless of whether he leaves at 11 a.m. or 7 p.m., Kidwell will enjoy coming to work here as he has for the past 34 years.

“It’s been a great place to work with a lot of great people,” Kidwell said.