Two-time SIU interim athletic director Harold Bardo was named as the 2016 recipient of the Paul Morrison Award on Thursday.

The award is issued by the Missouri Valley Conference to “those individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective league-member institutions, The Valley or collegiate athletics, in general,” according to the press release.

In addition to his stints as athletic director, Bardo had a 15-year tenure as faculty athletics representative. He most recently in 2015 before current athletic director Tommy Bell was hired.

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Bardo is also being honored at SIU with his induction into the Saluki Hall of Fame on Feb. 12.

“Dr. Harold Bardo has made a big difference over his nearly 50 years of involvement at his institution, as an educator, a role model and a mentor to many people,” Commissioner Doug Elgin said in a press release. “Dr. Bardo has contributed to his alma mater in so many ways – in academics and in athletics – and his name will forever be synonymous with Southern Illinois University.”

Bardo has left his mark at SIU outside of the athletic offices as well. He was director of the SIU School of Medicine’s Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program (MEDPREP) from 1984 to 1999 and from 2001 until his retirement in 2014. In addition, he served on the NCAA Amateurism Cabinet, Division I Leadership Council and was a MVC finance committee member.

Even after his retirement, the Sparta native remains involved in Saluki athletics in a limited role. He was part of Bell’s search advisory committee for the head football coach position that was eventually filled by Nick Hill on Dec. 23.

Bell said there’s not a better man in southern Illinois than Bardo and that there was no one more deserving of the award.

Bardo is a three-time alumnus of the SIU system. He received his bachelor’s in history from SIUC in 1962, doubling as both a basketball and track and field athlete before receiving master’s degree in 1969 from SIU-Edwardsville. He returned to Carbondale, receiving his doctorate in education in 1972.

SIU is one of two schools — the other being Missouri State — that have had two people honored with the Paul Morrison Award. SIU sports information director emeritus Fred Huff won the award in 2010.

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Bardo will receive his award at the Presidents Hall of Fame Breakfast in St. Louis on March 4.

Sean Carley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3304.