The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics - Athletic Directors Association (NAIA-ADA) is seeking nominations for its Emerging Leader, and Lifetime Achievement Awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 6. Recognition of the winner will be during the NAIA-ADA business meeting at the NAIA Convention in April.
 
2026-27 Emerging Leader Award (Nomination Form)
The Emerging Leader award was established to recognize a rising professional in athletics administration who demonstrates outstanding dedication, innovation, and leadership early in their career. The award is designed to celebrate associate athletics directors, assistant athletics directors, senior women leaders, and other athletics administrators with three to five years of service in the profession. The recipient exhibits a strong commitments to the NAIA-ADA's mission and values, with an emphasis on servant leadership, collaboration, and the advancement of intercollegiate athletics. The award honors individuals who are not only excelling in their current roles but also showing exceptional promise to shape the future of collegiate athletics within the NAIA.
 
**Membership is required to be selected, but the nomination process is open to anyone. Membership status will be verified upon submission.**
 
2026-27 Lifetime Achievement Award (Nomination Form)
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to athletics administrators who have dedicated their professional career to the advancement of the NAIA. Recipients are individuals who best exemplify the leadership and service that has made a significant impact on the NAIA during their tenure as an athletics administrator.
 
**NAIA-ADA membership throughout the individual's career may be taken into consideration. Individuals currently working within NAIA athletics must be members to be selected, but the nomination process is open to anyone. Membership status will be verified upon submission.**
 
Any questions regarding the awards should be directed to Nick Strah in the NACDA National Office.

About NAIA-ADA: The NAIA-ADA is comprised of athletics administrators from institutions and conferences competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The purpose of the NAIA-ADA is to engage our Athletics Directors with meaningful collaboration, forums and national recognition; empower our Athletics Directors in their professional development and leadership roles in the NAIA; and promote NAIA Athletics Directors' collective voice on issues affecting membership and college athletics on a national scale. For more information about the NAIA-ADA, please visit www.naiaada.com. The NAIA-ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 62nd year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.