CLEVELAND - The Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA) is proud to announce American University (AU) Director of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Billy Walker as the 2023 Builders' Award honoree.  

"Being named the 2023 Builder's Award recipient is truly humbling and unexpected," said Walker. "I'm especially grateful to be recognized by my peers and included on a list of former recipients who are giants in our industry. This wouldn't happen without a team of tremendous coaches, staff and student-athletes here at AU. Thank you."  

Since April of 2013, AU athletics has been under the steady and proven leadership of Dr. Billy Walker. Completing his 10th year in 2022-23, Walker has been at the helm of a department that has made strides in so many ways since his arrival. Whether it be record increases in giving, facility upgrades, or student-athlete successes in the classroom and the competition arena, Walker helps create and nurture an environment where every member of the department can reach their full potential.  

The success spanned across the board as American University teams have had an impressive .517 overall winning percentage in his time as AD and achieved an even stronger .550 winning percentage within the Patriot League. Academically, AU student-athletes have earned above a 3.34 GPA as a department every semester since Walker's arrival, achieving an astounding 3.70 department-wide GPA in the Spring of 2020 — the highest single-semester department GPA in AU recorded history. Additionally, AU student-athletes have increased their presence in the D.C.-Metro area with numerous community service initiatives and partnerships with District of Columbia public grade schools, and DC Special Olympics. 

A recognized expert in intercollegiate athletic issues, Walker has been a member of the NCAA Division I Council since 2020, served his second term as chair of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee, and was a member of the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee. He was asked to testify as an expert panelist for the U.S. Department of Education Secretary's Commission on Opportunity in Athletics and was a key participant in the merger between two lacrosse leagues. He also spearheaded the formation of the Western Wrestling Conference in 2005 and served as its commissioner from its inception until 2013. 

A retired AF Brigadier General, Walker served as deputy director of athletics and professor and head of the Physical Education Department at the United States Air Force Academy before his arrival at AU.  Walker was appointed by President George W. Bush as the first Permanent Professor of Athletics and Physical Education. He also served as the Director of the Air Force Combatives Center of Excellence, responsible for developing and implementing hand-to-hand combat training to thousands of airmen deployed around the world. 

Walker graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in history.  He earned a Master of Arts from California State University and his Doctorate in physical education and sports administration at the University of Northern Colorado. Walker was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Colorado Chapter, as an Outstanding American and the Irish Educators 100 at the Irish Consulate in New York City. 

Members of the Builders' Award Committee include Division I-AAA athletics directors: Simon Gray (Chair), Niagara University; Jill Bodensteiner, St. Joseph's University; Marcus Blossom, Creighton University; Ken Kavanagh, Florida Gulf Coast University; Scott Garrett, Cleveland State University. 

About Division I-AAA ADA: Now in its 22nd year, the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance initiatives common to its Division I-AAA membership (the 98 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 58th year. For more information on NACDA and the 18 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.