June 9, 2008

Theresa A. Check, Central State University, Northeast Region In 2001, Theresa A. Check stepped aside as Central State University's head women's basketball coach after 17 seasons (387-112, 407-175 overall) to devote her time to being director of athletics. Since becoming the full-time AD, Check has been responsible for the re-establishment of the Central State football program. In addition to football, Check has added men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf, along with men's volleyball. Currently, she is leading the charge for the addition of women's bowling, along with the return of both the baseball and softball program to Marauders athletics. She has also directed the athletics program to NCAA Division II status. Check is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, the American Association of University Women and the Black Coaches and Administrators. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Xenia Kiwanis. She has served as a member of the NCAA Women's Basketball Advisory Committee for the Great Lakes Region. In 1996, Coach Check was honored by being inducted in the Central State University Achievement Hall of Fame and in 2007 she was inducted into the Central State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Check was voted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2002. In the fall of 2006, Check was selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Division II Athletics Directors Association.

Rob Fournier, Wayne State University, Central Region Since Rob Fournier's arrival at Wayne State University (WSU) in September 2000, Warrior athletics has risen more than 100 places in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings, including its highest finish ever finish in 2007 (24th) and six best all-time finishes. Those results have been evidenced academically, competitively, fiscally and in the community. Academically, 54 percent of WSU's 400+ student-athletes have a 3.00 or better grade-point average, including 11 teams cumulatively above that mark. WSU student-athletes graduate at a 17 percent higher mark than the comparable campus population. Fournier has raised over $6 million in revenue and changed the playing landscape of every athletics team including new replica-Fenway Park baseball stadium, football locker room/turf, softball facility, swimming area, hall of fame foyer, tennis courts, basketball gymnasium/offices, and academic resource area to name only a few. Fournier also secured the University's first-ever radio contract and a three-year state-wide live television agreement. WSU student-athletes have contributed over 10,000 community service hours in the past three years. He was recognized by the Detroit News and Free Press for the hiring of five minority head coaches. Prior to joining Wayne State, Fournier was the senior associate commissioner for the Mid-American Conference. While serving as the acting commissioner, he moved the league office to Cleveland, secured a long-term contract for the men's basketball tournament at the Quicken Loans Arena and negotiated the MAC's Motor City Bowl football contract.

Larry Marfise, University of Tampa, Southeast Region Larry Marfise is in his ninth year as athletics director at the University of Tampa (UT). Under Marfise's direction, the Tampa athletics program has continually placed among the top-30 nationally in the NCAA Division II U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings. Under Marfise, UT teams have captured five NCAA Division II national championships. Recently, the Spartan women's soccer team captured their first crown with the 2007 title. Additionally, UT facility improvements include a new soccer and baseball stadium, a modernized and enlarged weight room, renovated locker rooms and upgrades to the softball and tennis complexes. Marfise has also established four new athletics endowments at UT. Currently, he serves on the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee. Prior to joining the Spartans, he served as athletics director at Ferris State University (Mich.) (1994-99), associate athletics director at St. Mary's (Calif.) (1985-94), assistant athletics director at Southern Baton Rouge (1985), assistant coach/promotions and tickets administrator at UNLV (1984), administrator at Ohio (1983-84) and wrestling coach/intramural director at Evansville (1979-83). While at Ferris State, he directed the campaign to build a new gymnasium, a $1 million hockey locker room and renovated the field house. He also served on the NCAA Division II Football Championship Committee and was president of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) where he oversaw expansion. While at St. Mary's, he served on the NCAA Division I Baseball Promotion Committee.

Joan McDermott, Metropolitan State College of Denver, West Region Joan McDermott is in her 10th year as the athletics director at Metropolitan State College of Denver. During McDermott's tenure, Metro State athletics have garnered four national championships and 20 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships. In 2006-07, the Roadrunners won the RMAC All-Sports Competition/Wells Fargo Cup for the first time in the college's history. Through McDermott's efforts, corporate sponsorship and scholarship funds have increased considerably during her tenure. She has also created more opportunities for Metro State student-athletes by orchestrating the addition of five sports. McDermott is currently serving on the NCAA Division II Membership Committee and has previously served on the Executive Committee for NACDA. In addition, she has been a member of the NCAA Division II Management Council and has also been the chair of the NCAA Division II National Volleyball Committee and the NCAA Championship Committee. Prior to her appointment as athletics director, McDermott coached the Metro State volleyball team for five seasons, while also serving as the senior woman administrator. She has also coached volleyball at Morningside (Iowa) College and St. Mary's (Calif.) College, as well as softball at St. Mary's. In 1999, McDermott was named by the Denver Post as one of the 15 most powerful women in Colorado sports.