The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) today announced that UT Rio Grande Valley Athletics Director Chris King is a NACDA Under Armour Division I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year (ADOY) Award recipient. King will be honored with the award during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 29, at NACDA's 53rd Annual Convention at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
King is an executive committee member of the NACDA I-AAA Athletic Director Association, chair of the NACDA I-AAA Athletic Director Association Mentoring Committee, chair of the 2017-18 WAC Council, member of the WAC Strategic Plan and WAC Men's Basketball Committees and a member of the NCAA DI Nominating Committee.
“Among Chris' many impressive qualities are his tireless work ethic, his vision and his ability to exhibit leadership under virtually any circumstance,†WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd said. “The success of his student-athletes on and off the field is paramount, and Chris does everything within his power to ensure the best possible environment for them. He richly deserves the Athletic Director of the Year award.â€
King is one of four recipients of the ADOY Award at the Division I-AAA level and 28 at all levels, including the Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior/Community College levels. The ADOY Award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.
"This is the 20th year for the Athletic Director of the Year Program, and each year that goes by, we are continually blown away by the standard of success that these award winners maintain across all levels of college athletics,†said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Executive Director. “Over the last two decades, we have been fortunate to recognize more than 425 individuals for the impressive work they do and the examples they set for everyone in our industry.â€
All NACDA-member directors of athletics in the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. Among the criteria were service as an AD for a minimum of five academic years; demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes; continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence; and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Additionally, each AD's institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body (i.e., NCAA, NAIA, etc.), in which the institution could not have been on probation or cited for a lack of institutional control within the last five years during the tenure of the current athletics director.
Nominators were NACDA-member directors of athletics, institutional presidents and conference commissioners, as well as other respected intercollegiate athletics administrators. Special Divisional Selection Committees composed of current and former directors of athletics, current and former commissioners and other key athletics administrators voted on nominees for the award. A complete listing of Selection Committee members can be found on NACDA's website, NACDA.com.
About NACDA
NACDA, now in its 53rd year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 15,700 college athletics administrators at more than 1,700 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 6,500 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 17 professional associations and three foundations. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.