CLEVELAND, Ohio – The National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) is proud to announce the creation of the Zach Goines Memorial Award for Excellence in Stewardship and Donor Relations, an annual honor established to recognize outstanding achievement in donor stewardship while celebrating the life and legacy of Zach Goines, a longtime NAADD member, former NACDA intern (2000-01), and respected leader in collegiate athletics development.
The award is named in memory of Goines, who passed away in August 2026. Goines' career was defined by his commitment to donor stewardship, relationship-building and service to the collegiate athletics profession. Most recently serving as Associate Director of Athletics for Development at the University of Illinois, he spent more than two decades in athletics development and was widely respected as a colleague, mentor and friend throughout the industry.
Established to celebrate the values that defined Goines' career, the award will be presented annually to a current NAADD member who demonstrates exceptional dedication to stewardship and donor relations. Recipients will be recognized for thoughtful donor engagement, meaningful expressions of appreciation, effective communication of philanthropic impact, and a commitment to building lasting trust with donors and supporters.
"Zach understood that philanthropy is ultimately about people and relationships," said Haven Fields, Deputy Athletic Director/COO, University of Nebraska and President of NAADD. "He had a remarkable ability to connect with others, make donors feel valued, and communicate the impact of their generosity in authentic and meaningful ways. Through this award, we honor Zach's legacy while recognizing professionals who embody those same qualities and strengthen our profession through their work."
Fields added, "This award not only preserves Zach's legacy, but it also recognizes a group of professionals whose contributions are vital to the success of our industry. While NAADD has long honored achievement in fundraising, stewardship and donor relations professionals play an equally important role in cultivating meaningful relationships, demonstrating impact and building the trust that sustains long-term philanthropic support. We are proud to recognize their work through this award."
Nominees for the award will be evaluated on specific examples of stewardship excellence and the demonstrated impact of their efforts. In keeping with Goines' belief that meaningful donor relationships can be cultivated across all levels of collegiate athletics, consideration will be given to each nominee's institutional resources and the scope of their responsibilities.
Through this recognition, NAADD will honor Goines' contributions to the association while highlighting the essential role stewardship and donor relations play in advancing athletic development programs across the country.
The recipient of the Zach Goines Memorial Award for Excellence in Stewardship and Donor Relations will be recognized annually during the NAADD Convention and will receive a $2,500 stipend to help offset the costs associated with attending the Convention.
The award will be included in the launch of NAADD's 2026-27 National Awards cycle in mid-November. At that time, the Association will release complete nomination materials, eligibility requirements and application deadlines for prospective candidates.
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 62nd year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
