CLEVELAND - The Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA) is proud to announce UNC Asheville Athletics Director Janet R. Cone as the 2019 Builders' Award honoree.

"Janet R. Cone has had many accomplishments throughout her distinguished career as a coach and athletics administrator, including in her current role as the Director of Athletics at UNC Asheville," stated Builders' Award Committee Chair and Director of Athletics at Mount St. Mary's University, Lynne Robinson. "Janet has guided the Bulldogs to numerous accolades over the past 15 years. With her longstanding commitment to student-athlete welfare, equity, and academic excellence, Janet has been a tremendous advocate for the UNC Asheville student-athletes throughout the years. In recognition of Janet's service to our Association, as well as her leadership and commitment to UNC Asheville and our profession as a whole, we are proud to present her with the 2019 Builders' Award," Robinson concluded.

A veteran of over 30 years in collegiate athletics, Cone continues to build her legacy as one of the best in the business. Now in her 15^th year at the helm of UNC Asheville Athletics, Cone has helped elevate the Bulldogs in every way possible. Named the Director of Athletics in 2004, she has brought national recognition to UNC Asheville and the Big South Conference.

"I am incredibly thankful to the I-AAA ADA Builders' Award Committee for this honor. Over the course of my career I have always been driven to do things the right way and help advance the institution's mission and strategic plan and collegiate athletic program." stated Cone. "I am indebted to the many administrators, coaches, student-athletes, colleagues, family and friends who have helped me to build Champions and Leaders along the way. I am overwhelmed that I was even considered for this award, but to win is just too much to believe. I am honored to represent UNC Asheville in receiving this award."

A graduate of Furman University with a master's degree from the University of South Carolina, Cone serves on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee and was named an Under Armour AD of the Year in 2013.

In the classroom, Bulldog student-athletes have achieved an overall 3.14 GPA and a Graduation Rate of over 85 percent (85%) during Cone's tenure. UNC Asheville's athletics budget is one of the lowest in NCAA Division I; however, under Cone's leadership, a sustainable revenue plan has been implemented to increase the athletics budget. Despite the small budget, the Bulldogs have won Big South Conference title in baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball and women's soccer. Additionally, the Bulldogs value community engagement and perform thousands of hours of community service each year.

With Cone at the helm, the Bulldogs have achieved unparalleled progress with the implementation of the "More Wins, More Friends, and More Resources" strategic plan. UNC Asheville just recently unveiled the "Believe. Achieve. Thrive." strategic plan, which provides a road map for UNC Asheville athletics over the course of the next five years.

Outside of UNC Asheville, Cone helped create the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission and currently serves as a founding board member. In addition to her term on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, she is currently serving on the NCAA Division I Institutional Performance Committee as well as various Big South Conference Committees. Cone continues to work rigorously to improve gender equity and recently added women's golf as the 16^th NCAA Division I athletics program at UNC Asheville. Women's golf became the second sport added in the last five years as the revival of the women's swimming program in 2012-13 marked the first time that UNC Asheville added a varsity sport in 20 years.

Prior to coming to Asheville, Cone served as the associate athletics director for Samford University, and also coached women's basketball at Samford, Saint Leo University, Western Carolina University and Mars Hill College.

About the Division I-AAA ADA: Now in its 18th year, the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance initiatives common to its Division I-AAA membership (the Division I institutions that do not sponsor football), in particular, aspects related to their flagship basketball programs. For more information on the Division I-AAA ADA, please visit www.div1aaa-ada.com. The Division I-AAA ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 54^th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.