Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley was recognized this week as one of the four regional Under Armour Athletic Directors of the year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
Curley, in his 16th year leading Penn State's athletic department, was named the Northeast Region winner for Football Bowl Subdivision schools. He also won the award in 2003.
"It's wonderful to be recognized by your peers, but the credit really goes to the entire department," Curley said. "Our fantastic collection of coaches, administrators and the support staff make it possible to win this award."
He and the other regional winners - Damon Evans of the University of Georgia (Southeast), Lawrence Cunningham of the University of Tulsa (Central) and Sandy Barbour of the University of California (West) -- will be recognized at the 44th Annual NACDA Convention at the James J. Corbett Luncheon on Saturday, June 20 at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla.
"Our Honors and Awards Committee recognized a need for an award such as the AD of the Year," NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary said in a statement. "The program brings to light the exceptional jobs done by athletics directors across the country. These winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of outstanding athletics directors who excel at their jobs."
A 1976 Penn State graduate and State College native, Curley has directed the Nittany Lions' 29-sport program since Dec. 30, 1993. Penn State squads have won 55 Big Ten titles and numerous individual national and conference titles during Curley's tenure
Since March of 2007, the Nittany Lions have won six NCAA Championships, and eight Penn State teams finished the 2007-08 season in the ranked in the top five in their respective sports.
In addition to their successes on the playing field, Penn State student athletes have also excelled in the classroom.
In October 2008, the NCAA reported Penn State student-athletes earned a school-record 89-percent Graduation Success Rate, 11 percentage points higher than the national Division I-A average. The NCAA also reported that Penn State student athletes attained a school-record federal graduation rate of 84 percent for the entering class of 2001-02, significantly higher than the national average of 64 percent.
Curley, the 2005-06 NACDA President, credited the student athletes as the main ingredient for Penn State's success.
"We couldn't do it without the athletes, of whom I think we have the best collection in the country," he said. "They do a great job academically as well as competitively. They deserve as much recognition as any individual."
