ORLANDO, Fla. - The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the 29 winners of the AstroTurf AD of the Year Award (ADOY) today and included among the winners was UC San Diego Director of Athletics Earl W. Edwards who was named the Division II West Region recipient.
"I am honored to have been chosen to receive this award," said Edwards. "Clearly it is a reflection on the hard work and dedication put in by the student-athletes, coaches and administrators within the UCSD Department of Athletics. Additionally, the support of my bosses, Chancellor Marye Anne Fox and Dr. Joseph Watson, also play a huge role in the success of our department."
There are four geographic regions - northeast, southeast, central and west; while the membership is separated into seven categories ? Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A); Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA); Division I (formerly Division I-AAA); Division II; Division III; NAIA; and Junior/Community Colleges. One winner was selected in each of the seven categories, for a total of 29 honorees. Winners received their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Wednesday at NACDA's 42nd Annual Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.
NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary explains the ADOY Award is essential because it highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to campuses and their surrounding communities.
“Our Honors and Awards Committee recognized a need for an award such as the AD of the Year,” said Cleary, who oversaw implementation of the program to allow all NACDA Officers and Honors and Awards Committee members to participate in the awards process, should they be elected. “The program brings to light the exceptional jobs done by athletics directors across the country. These 29 winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of outstanding athletics directors who excel at their jobs.”
Edwards presided over a program that sent 19 of its 23 programs to postseason play, including 17 to the NCAA Championships. Included in those 17 NCAA postseason teams were eight that finished in the top-5 in the nation. Women's Crew was the nation runners-up while men's water polo, women's basketball, men's tennis and women's swimming all finished third in the country. The women's volleyball, women's soccer and men's swimming teams all finished fifth in the nation during their respective seasons.
Based upon the national finishes of the 17 teams that qualified for the NCAA postseason, the Tritons have assured themselves of a second place finish in the USSA Division II Director's Cup Standings, trailing only Grand Valley State, who has won the award in each of the last three seasons. The USSA Director's Cup Standings evaluate the best overall athletic departments in the country at the Division I, Division II, Division III and NAIA levels.