Paul Ridings (2026) - Hall of Honor

Paul Ridings

Induction:
2026

Ridings served Sam Houston as its primary Sports Information Director from 1989 until his retirement in 2016. During his 27 years at Sam Houston, Ridings oversaw all athletics' public relations activities, including coordinating athletic publications, publicity, the athletic department web site and statistical reporting to the Southland Conference and the NCAA.

He was the primary publicist for several departmental highlights throughout his career, including Bearkat Football's run to back-to-back FCS Championship Games, numerous berths in the NCAA Tournament and the claiming of multiple Southland Conference Commissioner's Cups, signifying the department's overall success within the SLC at the conclusion of each year.

Before joining the Bearkat staff in 1989, Ridings served as assistant athletic director at Southern Utah (1988-89), associate sports information director at SMU (1980-88), public relations director for the Dallas Tornado Soccer Team (1976-79) and sports information director at Trinity (1971-75).

A third-generation public relations practitioner, his grandfather, J. Willard Ridings, founded the TCU journalism department, and his father, Paul Ridings, Sr., operated his own public relations firm in Fort Worth for 38 years.

Ridings passed away unexpectedly in March of 2026, leaving behind his wife of nearly 40 years, Mary, and their son, Nathan.