CLEVELAND – The National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Awards.

The 2025 NAADD Award recipients are: NAADD Lifetime Achievement Award, Andy Miller, Former President and CEO of the Seminole Boosters Inc, Florida State University; College Fundraiser of the Year, Ryan Jones, Senior Associate AD - Advancement, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; University Fundraiser of the Year, Tim House, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director / Associate Vice President for Development, Purdue University; and Jason Galaska Rising Star Award, Ellie Brecht, Associate Athletic Director/Director of Development, University of Nebraska, Omaha.

"On behalf of the NAADD Executive Committee and the members we serve, I am thrilled to congratulate all of this year's NAADD Award Recipients," said Jennifer Montgomery, NAADD President and Executive Director of Development for Athletics at George Washington University. "The selection process was incredibly competitive, reflecting the outstanding work being done across the country in athletic development. We are excited to honor these exceptional individuals and celebrate their remarkable achievements at the upcoming NAADD convention in Orlando."

Lifetime Achievement Award - Andy Miller
Andy Miller is the former president and CEO of the Seminole Boosters Inc. at Florida State University (FSU). With a remarkable career spanning 45 years in college athletics development, Miller has made a profound and lasting impact on FSU and the broader athletics community. A proud graduate of Florida State University, Miller initially worked for the Motorola Corporation before joining the athletics development team at FSU.

During his tenure, Miller's visionary leadership and innovative approach transformed the landscape of FSU athletics. He created the Seminole Boosters Scholarship Endowment, which is now valued at over $70 million and continues to grow, providing critical support for student-athletes. Miller's vision also financed, designed, and brought to life the largest brick stadium complex in the United States, Doak Campbell Stadium, a testament to his dedication and foresight.

Miller was instrumental in the development of College Town and housing facilities, including Champions Hall and Burt Reynolds Hall, enhancing the student-athlete experience and contributing to the vibrant campus community. His efforts have led the Seminole Boosters to raise over a billion dollars in contributions to FSU, securing around 100 individual gifts of at least $1 million each.

Throughout his illustrious career, Miller has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, reflecting his exceptional contributions to college athletics development. He is an inductee of the FSU Hall of Fame, a member of the Circle of Gold, and a recipient of the Morey-Stone Award, the Sliger Award, and the Joanos Award. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, a two-story convention space in the University Center has been designated as Andy Miller Hall.

Miller's impact extends beyond fundraising. He temporarily led the FSU Foundation in 1989 and was one of the organizers of "The A Team," an eleven-member committee dedicated to creating a gateway for future FSU students. His leadership and strategic vision have significantly improved the student-athlete experience, institution, and the industry as a whole.

Andy Miller's dedication, strategic vision, and passion for excellence have left an indelible mark on Florida State University and the field of college athletics development. His lifetime of achievements and unwavering commitment to the betterment of FSU make him a truly deserving recipient of the NAADD Lifetime Achievement Award.

College Fundraiser of the Year - Ryan Jones
Ryan Jones is the senior associate athletics director for advancement at UT Chattanooga. Since joining the university in July 2021, Jones  has overseen all elements of fundraising for the athletics department and has had a transformative impact on the institution's development efforts. Promoted to senior associate AD for Development in July 2023, he also oversees the cross country and track & field teams.

In 2023-2024, Jones led a team that set a UTC athletics record for the most raised in gifts and commitments, totaling over $4.7 million. This achievement marked the third consecutive year of fundraising totals exceeding $3.3 million, a first in UTC athletics history. Under his leadership, there has been a 98% growth in annual fund dollars raised, a 65% increase in the number of annual fund members, and a 225% increase in overall fundraising since 2020. Additionally, Jones secured the largest gift in athletics history, a $2 million donation, and secured the largest cash-based endowment in athletics' history at $1 million.

Before his tenure at UT Chattanooga, Jones held various development roles at Western Carolina University and the University of Tennessee. His efforts have consistently resulted in substantial financial growth and support for athletic programs.

Jones' dedication and strategic vision have made a lasting impact on UT Chattanooga, raising a total of $13.8 million since 2021.

University Fundraiser of the Year - Tim House
Tim House is the deputy athletics director and associate vice president for development at Purdue University. Since joining Purdue athletics in 2018, House has led the John Purdue Club to unprecedented fundraising success. Under his leadership, the club launched the $18.69 million Forging Ahead campaign in September 2023, designed to enhance recruiting, retention, and student-athlete development across all 18 Boilermaker sport programs through data-driven strategies and global engagement initiatives. As of February 2025, the campaign has raised $15.3 million toward its goal.
 
During the 2023-24 academic year, House also helped launch Lundy League, recognizing donors who contribute $250,000 or more beyond annual membership to support Purdue athletics. House drives the long-term goals of the John Purdue Club, including fully funding Purdue's student-athlete scholarships and total cost of attendance, while also leading major gift acquisitions for facility enhancements and capital projects. These initiatives have helped grow the annual fund from $6.75 million in 2018 to a record-setting $13.5 million to date.
 
House's strategic leadership has significantly expanded Purdue's fundraising efforts, including the establishment of the Boilermaker Athletics Representative (B.A.R.) program, which provides personalized service to John Purdue Club members and season ticket holders, strengthening donor engagement. Additionally, he spearheaded the More Than A Game campaign, raising over $18 million to sustain Purdue athletics during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Before his tenure at Purdue, House held key fundraising roles at Army West Point, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Belmont University, and Vanderbilt University, where his efforts resulted in substantial financial growth and increased donor engagement for athletics programs.
 
House's dedication, innovative approach, and strategic vision have made a lasting impact on Purdue Athletics, securing the three largest cash gifts in the department's history, totaling over $50 million. In recognition of his exceptional leadership, House was appointed by Purdue University President Mung Chiang to chair the Victories & Heroes Campaign Planning Committee, a university-wide initiative leading Purdue's $4 billion campaign to advance both academic and athletic excellence.
 
Jason Galaska Rising Star Award - Ellie Brecht
Ellie Brecht is the associate athletics director of development at the University of Nebraska, Omaha (UNO). Brecht has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in college athletic fundraising, making significant contributions at every step of her career.

Brecht's journey began as a student-athlete at UNO, where she was a standout player on the women's basketball team from 2015-19. Her competitive drive and excellence on the court translated seamlessly into her professional career. As a fundraiser at her alma mater, she exceeded her major gift goal by 92% in her first year as associate director of development. As director of development, major gifts, she worked directly with Omaha athletics donors to secure philanthropic resources for key department initiatives,  exceeding her FY24 metrics by 42% by helping secure $6.1 million in commitments from a record 2,565 donors. In 2023, she launched the department's first-ever women's athletics fundraising initiative, Maverick HERoes, which raised more than $400,000 in six months and received national coverage.

Brecht's impact at UNO has been profound. Her positivity and fundraising expertise have enhanced the development team's outcomes and enriched team culture. She consistently identifies and engages potential donors, turning conversations into meaningful contributions. Her relationship-driven approach and commitment to collaboration have elevated the efforts at UNO.

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 60^th year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.