Cleveland - The Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) has selected Peggy Davis (posthumously) as the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to athletics directors who have exemplified superior achievement during their career at Division II level.
"The contributions of Peggy Davis to the Division II community are truly immeasurable," said Traci Murphy, D2 ADA President. "Her legacy of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to student-athletes has left a lasting impact on Division II and continues to inspire all who follow in her path."
Peggy Davis, a trailblazing leader in collegiate athletics and a champion for student-athlete success, passed away in October 2024, leaving behind a legacy defined by transformative leadership, historic achievements, and a lifelong commitment to developing student-athletes.
Davis earned her Master of Education from Tarleton State University in 1987 and began her head coaching career at Howard Payne University in 1988. She later built a championship program at Angelo State University before moving to Virginia State University (VSU) in 1997, where she led women's basketball to a CIAA title and NCAA Division II Tournament victory.
In 2003, Davis became the second female Athletic Director in VSU history, where she solidified her legacy. She earned Athletic Director of the Year honors seven times and became the first woman to serve as Interim Commissioner of the CIAA. Under her leadership, VSU achieved 20 NCAA Division II tournament appearances, 26 CIAA championships, and record academic success rates.
A champion for diversity and inclusion, Davis led VSU to the 2020 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence and received the 2021 MOAA Distinguished Service Award. She also served as MOAA President (2017–2019), contributed to NCAA Division II governance, and was actively involved in national athletics organizations.
Davis expanded opportunities at VSU by adding women's soccer and men's and women's lacrosse, while also mentoring countless student-athletes and administrators. Known for her compassion and leadership, she took great pride in seeing those she mentored succeed.
Her career was recognized with multiple honors, including hall of fame inductions and national awards. She was posthumously honored with the 2025 Jimmy Jenkins Legacy Award and induction into the CIAA Hall of Fame.
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 61st year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
