CLEVELAND - #NAADD25th: In honor of NAADD's 25 years of commitment to the development of collegiate athletics, NAADD will be featuring the full testimonials of Past Presidents throughout 2018.

Here is the full testimonial from the first featured Past President in our March Madness edition NAADD President, Bob Bonn (2001-02).

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Bonn earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and health from the University of Connecticut in 1974 where he lettered in baseball and lacrosse. A member of the UConn baseball team that played in the 1972 College World Series, Boon received his master's degree from Springfield College in 1975 and went on to pursue a PhD in sport psychology and sociology from Boston University in 1983.

Bonn's storied career in athletics began when he took over as the head coach for boys basketball and baseball at Westwood High School in Massachusetts. He moved on to become the assistant men's basketball coach at Western New Mexico University followed by a stint at Framingham State College. His first position in administration came during his eight-year tenure at Pacific University, where he served as head men's basketball coach, athletics director and chair of the department of physical education.

In April 1992, he traveled to Carthage College to serve as the director of athletics and department chair for exercise and sport science within the division of education, the position he still holds today. Under Bonn's leadership, Carthage has added nine sports for a total of 24 NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics programs. He has been instrumental in the Reds success including the raising of 115 banners. Since he arrived, Carthage has helped erect the Tarble Arena, N. E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center, Smeds Tennis Center, and Carthage Softball Field, while completing major renovations to Augie Schmidt and Art Keller fields.

Bonn has served on the NCAA Region 4 Postgraduate Scholarship Committee and serves on the selection committee for the Holy Rosary "Sports Night High School Athletes of the Year," and formerly served on the NCAA Division III Nominating Committee.

In 2005, Bonn was inducted into the Rockland High School (Mass) Athletic Hall of Fame and was honored as the GeneralSports TURF Systems "Division III West Region Athletic Director of the Year" in 2007 for his exceptional accomplishments at Carthage.

During his NAADD Presidency, Bonn utilized his near decade of experience at Carthage to develop and implement programming and education centered around athletics development at small schools. Without Bonn's guidance and vision, the landscape of small school athletics development would undoubtedly look different.

Here is what Bob had to say about NAADD:

1. Why would someone become a NAADD member?

It helped and motivated me to become an effective fundraiser, which made me a better Athletics Director which enhanced our Athletics Department.

2. What has NAADD meant to you?

My membership in NAADD was one of the most important and impactful professional development opportunities in my career.

3. What impact did your time as NAADD President have on you as a professional?

I am very privileged and honored to be the only Division III AD who has served as NAADD President. It was one of the top professional achievements of my career.

4. What is your fondest memory serving as NAADD President?

I will never forget the comradery and friendship with some of the best athletic development people in the country. I felt a great deal of pressure to lead the organization to the next level and not be a disappointment to all those who came before me who were so talented and hard working.

5. How do you see NAADD progressing in the next five years?

The growth and development of NAADD is miraculous but being a part of the organization at the very beginning you could sense that it was going to be special. NAADD will become increasingly more valuable as the financial demands of collegiate athletics continue to grow.

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Be sure to check back on Friday, when NAADD will spotlight Earl Edwards, director of athletics at the University of California San Diego, who served as NAADD President in 2002-03.

Stay up-to-date on the 25th Anniversary celebration and all things NAADD related by following NAADD on Twitter by using the hashtag #NAADD25th.



About NAADD: NAADD is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of athletics development and fund raising. For more information about NAADD, please visit www.naadd.com. NAADD is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 53rd year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.