CLEVELAND – The Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) has selected Greg Harnden (Harding University) and Tom Rubbelke (Concordia University St. Paul) as the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
 
"D2 ADA's highest honor is that of its Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes the career of truly exemplary Division II Athletics Directors.  This year, two people were selected in a deep pool of applicants and I have had the honor to work side by side with both," stated D2 ADA President and Rogers State University Director of Athletics, Chris Ratcliff.  "They are both the epitome of servant leaders and their friendships over the years have made me and many others better leaders because of the time, effort and wisdom they have provided. On behalf of our Association, thank you Tom and Greg for all you have done.  Your legacies will live on.  We are better leaders because of your time and dedication."

Greg Harnden
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Harnden attended Harding for one year before earning his B.S. degree in mathematics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1969. He was also granted a master's degree in education administration in 1973 from UMKC. Harnden most recently served as Athletics Director for 21 years at Harding University.  

Under Harnden's direction, Harding won its first Gulf South Conference Men's All-Sports Trophy during the 2010-11 school year and captured the 2016-17 Great American Conference All-Sports Trophy. As athletics director, Harnden added women's soccer, men's soccer, women's golf, and softball. Harnden oversaw the renovation of several athletics facilities. Harnden also helped facilitate the move from the NAIA to the NCAA as well as the move from the Gulf South Conference to its current home in the Great American Conference.

Before assuming his role as athletics director, Harnden served eight years as the head coach of the successful Lady Bison basketball team. He led the Lady Bisons to the NAIA national tournament in 1996 and 1997 with a 153-91 overall career record.

During his career, Harnden served as Inaugural Chairman of the GAC Committee of Athletic Administrators and Chair of the Gulf South Conference Committee of Athletics Directors. He also represented the GAC on various RAC's and the Division II on the NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Committee.

The impact Harnden left upon Harding University is sizable and goes far beyond the success experienced by the school's athletics programs. In his role as athletics director, he mentored thousands of student-athletes during his career and served as the coach to his department's staff. More importantly, Greg has been an incredible resource to other administrators in the GAC.

 "After his many years of service, it is only right that Greg is being honored for his work. Not only was he a leader, but he had the ability to be the calming voice of reason to get things accomplished," voiced Ratcliff. "Under his leadership, Harding University grew leaps and bounds, not only becoming a national contender, but with the addition of sports and an affiliate change. Greg never skipped a beat, providing continued compassion for all of those at Harding University."

The attribute most associated with Coach Harnden is integrity. His actions and leadership in 21 years as Harding's Athletics Director has followed the school's role to create servant-leaders.

Tom Rubbelke
Rubbelke spent his first 15 years at Concordia as an assistant softball coach before being named head softball coach of the Comets in 1998. Under Rubbelke, the softball team transitioned to NCAA Division II as the Golden Bears and quickly won NSIC regular season and tournament championships in 2001, the second year in the league and DII membership. In seven years as head softball coach, the Golden Bears combined for a 220-124 overall record including a 56-24 mark in NSIC play. The team had a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet Sixteen each time including a regional championship (Elite Eight).
 
Under Rubbelke's athletics director leadership, Concordia athletics served as host for seven NCAA regional championships on campus, numerous NSIC Tournaments but the crowning achievement was when the NCAA accepted Rubbelke's bid to host the Division II Volleyball Championships in 2008 and 2009, with the Golden Bears winning the title on their home court. His career as an athletics director has been defined by a commitment to the student-athlete experience as reflected by his popularity among Concordia student-athletes and alumni. He has gone above and beyond to increase student-athlete scholarship funding while improving facilities across the board for training, competition and studying.

Rubbelke served Concordia University for 12 years in that capacity. He was an influential member of the Northern Sun, the NCAA, an active member of NACDA and served on the Division II Athletics Directors Association Board of Directors. He also provided the leadership and direction to bring football, women's soccer and track & field a new home: Sea Foam Stadium. The University received the largest donation on record of $5 million to complete the year-round, multi-purpose facility.
 
Rubbelke was completely student centric, known for saying "if it weren't for our students, we wouldn't have jobs." His support for and connection with student-athletes is evidenced in the continued relationships he holds with alumni even nearly five years after his retirement. Rubbelke also cultivated an atmosphere of teamwork and trust among staff members, ensuring that all members of the department felt like a part of the larger team and worked in cooperation and collaboration with one another to achieve common goals.

"With over 30 years of service, Tom worked tirelessly to build Concordia St Paul's athletics department into a model for others to emulate," said Ratcliff. "Through his experience, Tom had seen it all, and always had an open ear to listen and give advice. His love for people was an anchor for him, especially how much he cared for his student-athletes and fellow administrators. Tom was able to help advance the NCAA and instill the D2 ADA mission through his years in different leadership positions."

It would be nearly impossible to quantify how many lives Rubbelke has touched through his time as a coach and AD. The greatest example of this is the fact that to all of the Concordia students he is just "Rubes," because he makes everyone he comes into contact with feel comfortable and valued, and he never acted like he is any more important than anyone else. As a loyal and trustworthy leader, Rubbelke always had time for others no matter how long his to do list was. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award presented by the D2 ADA. To be eligible for this award, a person must be at least 60 years old, or have spent a minimum of 25 years in collegiate athletics, with most of those years as an athletics director. The honoree must be retired or no longer serving as an active athletics director. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes athletics directors who, over the course of his/her career, have made an exemplary contribution to Division II athletics and the student-athlete experience.
 
About D2 ADA: The D2 ADA 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 Division II athletics directors. For more information about the D2 ADA, please visit www.div2ada.com. The D2 ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 55th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.