CLEVELAND - The Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA) Builders' Award is presented annually to an individual who has served a minimum of five years as a Division I-AAA athletics director and has contributed to the enhancement of the association in a manner that brings honor to themselves, their institution, and the profession. DI-AAA ADA is proud to recognize Bradley University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Chris Reynolds, as the 2026 Builders' Award honoree.

"Words could not adequately express my appreciation for being named the 2026 recipient of the Builders' Award and I am incredibly grateful to be recognized by my peers in this manner," said Reynolds. "Over the years, our coaches and staff at Bradley Athletics, University leadership, and our amazing community have been the constants that keep us running strong."

Reynolds was named Bradley's10th director of athletics in March 2015, and was elevated to Vice President in March 2018. He has more than 25 years of intercollegiate athletics administration experience and has led Bradley athletics to significant success athletically, academically, and within the community.

His leadership has earned national recognition, including being named a NACDA Athletics Director of the Year in both 2021 and 2024. He has also made a significant impact within the Division I-AAA ADA, serving as President during the 2020-21 year and continuing to be an influential voice representing Division I-AAA institutions in national conversations with the NCAA and fellow athletics directors.

On the national level, Reynolds has been a highly respected leader within the NCAA. He chaired the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee during the 2022–23 season, concluding a five-year term that began in 2018. In doing so, he became the first Missouri Valley Conference athletics director to serve in this role. He has also served on numerous NCAA committees for more than 20 years and was recently appointed to the NCAA Awards Committee for a four-year term which began in January.

Prior to his tenure at Bradley, Reynolds held senior-level athletics administration roles at Northwestern University and Indiana University. He also gained experience at the University of Notre Dame, Western Michigan University and Michigan State University.

A graduate of Indiana University, Reynolds earned his bachelor's degree in 1993, a law degree in 1996, and a Ph.D. in 2012. As a student-athlete, he was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and served as team captain his senior year, helping lead the Hoosiers to Big Ten titles in 1991 and 1993 and a Final Four appearance in 1992.

In addition to his formal leadership roles, Reynolds has contributed significantly through mentorship of emerging athletics administrators and by sharing knowledge and insights across the profession through panels and collaborative initiatives.

About Division I-AAA ADA: Now in its 25^th year, the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance initiatives common to its Division I-AAA membership (non-football institutions), 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 61^st year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.