June 16, 2009

Lee McElroy, University at Albany, Northeast Region

NACDA Past President Lee McElroy is in his ninth year as the leader of the 19-sport athletics department at the University at Albany. One of his first moves as AD was also one of his most impactful ones when he spearheaded a successful search for a broad-based athletics conference when the university accepted an invitation to join the America East Conference in 2001-02. During his tenure, Albany has won 34 conference championships (30 America East and 4 Northeast Conference football) and have made 15 NCAA Championship appearances. In 2004-05, the Great Danes were awarded the Commissioner's Cup as America East's top athletics program. McElroy has also worked to renew the basketball cross-town rivalry with Siena College, led the development of a master plan to upgrade the institution's athletics and recreational complex and has energized athletics development efforts. McElroy is the chair of NACDA's Finance-Management Committee and a member of the NACDA Executive Committee; has served as chair of the Directors' Cup Committee, President of the America East Conference Executive Committee; and has gained national prominence for his roles with numerous professional organizations and NCAA committees. In 2004, he was honored with the General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletics Director Award by the All-American Football Foundation.

Sam Baker, Georgia Southern University, Southeast Region

Sam Baker joined the Georgia Southern athletics department in January 1996, and under his direction the Eagles have gone from a period of transition and renewal to success, national prominence and growth. During Baker's tenure as athletics director, Georgia Southern has soared to National Championships, numerous Southern Conference titles, facility improvements and reaffirmed its commitment to student-athlete welfare and academic performance. Highlighted by the football program's back-to-back national titles (1999-2000), eight NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances and seven Southern Conference championships, Georgia Southern has staked claim as one of the premier programs around. In all the Eagles and Lady Eagles have won 27 SoCon championships and made 21 appearances in the NCAA championships. Facility improvements have been a top priority under Baker's leadership. Georgia Southern has built new facilities for: soccer/track, golf, Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation (Troy Cowart Building) and football (Gene Bishop Field House, Parrish Football Center); while renovating existing facilities for baseball (J.I. Clements Stadium), softball (Eagle Field), Iron Works, Hanner Fieldhouse, and Paulson Stadium. The athletics department continues its pledge for `Rings and Diplomas,' making sure every student-athlete has the necessary resources available to earn a championship ring and receive a degree from Georgia Southern.

Bill Rowe, Missouri State University, Central Region

This June, Missouri State University (MSU) Director of Athletics Bill Rowe will step down from his post at the helm of the athletics department. He served as the athletics director since 1982 and was affiliated with the university for more than 50 years, including his time as a student and a coach. Rowe began as athletics director as MSU became a charter member of the Mid-Continent Conference (MCC). His leadership saw the Bears win five all-sports titles in eight MCC years, winning 30 league titles overall, twice as many as any other league institution. Rowe was MCC Executive of the Year the last four years MSU was in the league. Under Rowe, MSU teams made 45 trips to NCAA championships, along with numerous NCAA appearances by individual athletes. Programs and the financial base of athletics have improved, facilities continue to be enhanced, and MSU has moved from the Mid-Continent and Gateway Conferences into the Missouri Valley Conference, with the men's and women's programs in the same conference for the first time in university history. Rowe, who recently completed a four-year term as a member of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee, has guided major improvements in Hammons Student Center, Plaster Sports Complex and other facilities, as well as upgraded the financial base from which the program operates through The Bears Fund and other means. Rowe was enshrined into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Terry Wanless, Sacramento State University, West Region

Terry Wanless' six-year tenure as Sacramento State's director of athletics has seen growth unparalleled in the institution's 17-year Division I history. His vision of broad success in the department came to fruition over the last two years when the Hornets claimed eight conference championships during both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 academic years. Wanless has also overseen significant enhancements to the athletics facilities, with the biggest change occurring with the opening of the Broad Fieldhouse. The building serves as the home to the Hornet football and track and field programs as well as athletics training and strength and conditioning. Over the last six years, more than 400 Hornets have earned all-academic conference honors. The athletics department's Life Skills Program has seen tremendous growth under his leadership, launching the program's first computer lab and offering Hornet student-athletes tutoring as well as academic counseling. Also, his efforts in restoring the department's booster club structure as well as improving the university's collegiate licensing program are projects that will also enhance the program's financial footing in years to come. Wanless currently serves as the Big Sky Representative on the FCS ADA Executive Committee.