CLEVELAND - The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the 28 winners of the Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year Award (ADOY) today. The award spans seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges).

The ADOY Award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.

"As the intercollegiate athletics enterprise continues to evolve and institutions and their departments journey bravely into uncharted waters, we have a new wave of leaders who have answered the call," said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Chief Executive Officer. "This year, 22 of our 28 Athletics Director of the Year honorees are being recognized with the award for the first time in their careers. Additionally, in the year that we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, we are proud that all four ADOY winners at the Division III level are women. Thank you to our new title sponsor Cushman & Wakefield, for helping the NACDA family applaud the efforts of these athletics directors across the country. We are looking forward to gathering together in person once again to celebrate their achievements during Convention this summer."
 
Cushman & Wakefield is in its first year of sponsoring the award. The ADOY Award program is in its 24th year and has recognized a total of 535 deserving athletics directors to date.

Perry served as the Horizon League Council chair during the 2020-2021 academic year – helping oversee and lead the conversation on a number of COVID related discussions as the league and membership navigated through a safe return to play. He also served on the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Local Organizing Committee, helping successfully bring the entire tournament to the Circle City for the first-time in tournament history. 

On the IUPUI campus, he was tasked with the safe return to competition after COVID, working with campus and local medical officials to bring sports back to the department. He also managed the departmental budget to ensure no staff reductions or furloughs were incurred. In competition, the IUPUI men's cross country team captured a third straight Horizon League title this fall and the women's basketball team is amidst a historic season, having garnered regular season and tournament titles and a first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. Along the way, the Jaguars defeated eventual Big Ten Champion Iowa for a first-ever win over a nationally ranked opponent and received votes in the AP poll late in the season. 

Academically, IUPUI has continued its lofty standards with a 26th consecutive semester with a 3.0 GPA or better. More than 80 percent of the department's student-athletes achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or better and 52 individuals had a perfect 4.0 GPA. IUPUI has continued to rank among the 98th percentile for all Division I programs in departmental grade point average. 

Perry will be among those recognized in conjunction with the 57th Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, prior to the Featured Session on Tuesday, June 28 at 4 p.m.

Cushman & Wakefield is in its first year of sponsoring the award. The ADOY Award program is in its 24th year and has recognized a total of 535 deserving athletics directors to date.
 
Winners of the 2021-22 Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year Awards are:
 

Winner	Institution
	Football Bowl Subdivision
Mike Bohn	University of Southern California
Boo Corrigan	NC State University
John Currie	Wake Forest University
Hunter Yurachek	University of Arkansas
	Football Championship Subdivision
Brady Barke	Southeast Missouri State University
Mike Marlow	Northern Arizona University
Ashley Robinson	Jackson State University
Edward Scott	Morgan State University
	Division I-AAA
Jimmy Bass	University of North Carolina Wilmington
Shaney Fink	Seattle University
Mike Matoso	Saint Mary's College of California
Roderick Perry	IUPUI
	Division II
Joseph Clinton	Dominican College (NY)
Clyde Doughty	Bowie State University

Andrew Gavin	University of Wisconsin Parkside
Bren Stevens	University of Charleston (WV)
	Division III
Stevie Baker-Watson	DePauw University
Amanda DeMartino	The College of New Jersey
Marybeth Lamb	Bridgewater State University
Lori Runksmeier	Eastern Connecticut State University
	NAIA
Chad Briscoe	Grace College
Bill Popp	Reinhardt University
DJ Pulley	William Carey University
Kevin Steele	Ottawa University (AZ)
	Junior/Community College
Dan Blair	Northern Essex Community College
Ryan Knox	Heartland Community College
Collin Pregliasco	Cosumnes River College
Mike Saddler	Colby Community College

All NACDA-member directors of athletics in the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. Among the criteria were service as an AD for a minimum of five academic years; demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes; continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence; and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Additionally, each AD's institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body (i.e., NCAA, NAIA, etc.), in which the institution could not have been on probation or cited for a lack of institutional control during the tenure of the current athletics director.