National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics

The NACDA Athletics Director of the Year (ADOY) Awards program, now in its 28th year, recognizes athletics directors who have shown administrative excellence within the campus and/or college community over the course of the last year.

On this site is information necessary to nominate a NACDA-member AD. Please review the criteria, nomination form and list of past winners for details. There are many deserving candidates for the awards. However, since ADs can only win the award once every three years, winners listed from 2023-24 and 2024-25 are not eligible. Winners from 2022-23 who meet the criteria are again eligible for nomination.

The award encompasses seven divisions - NCAA FBS, FCS, Divisions I-AAA, II and III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior/Community Colleges. While you may feel most qualified to nominate athletics directors from your division, you may also nominate ADs in other divisions. Twenty-eight directors of athletics will be honored. Winners will be recognized in conjunction with NACDA's 61st Annual Convention at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

The nomination process for 2025-26 will open in late fall.

If you have any questions regarding the award, please contact Rachel Johnson in the NACDA office at rjohnson@nacda.com.