By Ashley Birchmeier
Former Ohio Northern Assistant SID
Despite his utmost enthusiasm and dedication to Ohio Northern University athletics, Tim Glon is known for much more than his renowned coverage of the Polar Bears.
Glon is the Director of Sports Information at Ohio Northern and will receive a 2019 25-Year Award from CoSIDA to recognize his long-time service and commitment to the profession.
His dedication to the profession goes beyond northwest Ohio where his connections developed over the last 25 years, as they span worldwide.
Throughout the course of his career, Glon has made nearly 24 trips abroad, serving as the media contact for Team USA U19 World American Football and traveling to Kuwait, to working directly with media relations for the Bahamas Bowl sponsored by ESPN.
Glon has donated what free time he has to make the most of what it truly means to work in the demanding field of athletics. The dedication he displays runs from covering Ohio Northern athletics and providing a championship atmosphere for both the Polar Bears and various teams to the work he does abroad.
In addition to going to Kuwait and the Bahamas, he has made six trips to Mexico to work as the main media contact for the Aztec Bowl, taking eight trips with Tazon de Estrellas while covering all aspects of media relations and statistics.
Most of these trips are one-man jobs where he finds himself as both the caller, inputter and social media liaison, a task most of us would struggle with. But for Tim, it's second nature.
With these experiences comes an opportunity to grow and create a culture that is next to none.
Personally, as a former assistant to Tim and now a professional in the field of sports information, I take the life lessons I learned while at Ohio Northern and apply them in my own life and athletic department. This career is about developing a great life-work balance and finding things that bring you joy and I think Tim has done just that with his various work abroad.
His commitment doesn't stop there. Glon also helped coordinate bringing Team USA Football stateside to Canton, Ohio, and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame where Team USA competed amongst some of the nation's best competition. During this event, Glon helped these young men tell their stories and promoted an event that truly shows how sports can bring people together.
That's not to forget about his work right here in northwest Ohio with the Ohio Northern Polar Bears and their various trips abroad. He's helped with the Polar Bear football team and its many trips to Europe, and the Ohio Northern basketball team and its trip to Canada. Tim truly goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide quality coverage no matter where his job or passion takes him.
Tim is also someone who puts family first, volunteering with his father every year at the Memorial Golf Tournament. The task is simple - updating a leader board - but it's a tradition with his father that he holds dear.
His wife Bobbie and stepson Harrison also play a major role as they tend to be right by his side, assisting and supporting him no matter where life takes them.
However, the family doesn't stop there for Tim and Bobbie. It also includes his many graduate assistants and student workers who are spread throughout the country. As most of us would agree, to work for Tim has been an experience unlike any other, and some opportunities presented in our lives are all thanks to him.
As Gary Petit, Ohio State assistant director of athletic communications notes, "Do you remember the game 'Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?' Well that's kind of how it is when I call or text Tim. He never seems to be at his desk. He is always covering an ONU sport somewhere or traveling with a group.
"That's what I admire about him. Too many times we can get tied up in our work and miss things around us. There is so much more out there in this world and Tim certainly knows that. Sometimes I find myself living vicariously through him which is pretty cool," Petit concluded.
Tim's career has been nothing short of impressive and with his 25th trip abroad taking place this year (aligning with his CoSIDA 25-Year Award!), we don't expect him to slow down anytime soon. His continued passion for athletics and work as a mentor to many cannot be overstated.
