Former longtime Southeast Missouri Sports Information Director Ron Hines passed away at the age of 82 on March 16, 2026.
 
Hines helped bring publicity and notoriety to Southeast Missouri State University during his 29 years of service.
 
He worked 851 consecutive men's basketball games; an all-time Division I record for an SID. Over the years, Hines wrote and produced 21 award-winning publications, including four judged "Best in the Nation" by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
 
As Sports Information Director, Hines helped SEMO host many conference and national championships, including the 1983, 1984 and 1988 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.
 
He also served as the public address announcer for numerous events and a color commentator for the school's football and men's basketball radio broadcasts when the Redhawks were on the road.
 
What made Hines' career more special was his wife, Mary, who spent more than 25 years assisting him with statistics, media guides, game programs, posters and other publications. Mary passed away on Aug. 23, 2012, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
 
Ron and Mary were inducted as part of the 2012 SEMO Athletics Hall of Fame Class.
 
Prior to that, Hines received a Lifetime Achievement Award from CoSIDA.
 
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 22 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carbondale, Illinois. A funeral service will follow immediately after.