University of Central Arkansas’ Athletic Director Dr. Brad Teague was named a 2015-16 Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Wednesday.
Teague, in his ninth year at UCA, was one of 28 collegiate athletic directors from seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community Colleges). He was joined at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level by Thorr Bjorn of the University of Rhode Island, Dave Blank from Elon University and Bill Chaves from Eastern Washington.
“We all congratulate Dr. Brad Teague on this prestigious national honor,” said UCA President Tom Courtway. “He has done a remarkable job at UCA leading our athletic department and has also worked on many campus-wide initiatives. These activities, combined with his work in our conference and nationally, establish very clearly that he is most deserving of this award.”
Teague received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1992 and a Master of Education in Administration 1995, both from Delta State University. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in leadership from the University of Mississippi in 2000. He contributes heavily to the Conway community, serving on the Conway Airport Committee, Rotary Club, Conway Chamber of Commerce board, the Conway School District Foundation and the Board of Directors for Conway Corporation, Conway’s public utility company.
Teague has guided the UCA athletic department through unprecedented success and growth since taking the reins in Spring 2007. Teague took the position during the school’s first year of the four-year reclassification process from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I and guided the program to full D-I status while overseeing numerous facility upgrades, strengthening fundraising efforts, and ensuring a smooth transition academically under the more stringent standards of Division I athletics.
“I’m honored that my colleagues nominated and our association selected me this year,” said Teague. “But it’s truly more about this great institution the University of Central Arkansas than it is about me.”
The winners of the Athletic Director of the Year (ADOY) awards will be honored during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, June 15 at NACDA’s 51st Annual Convention at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas. 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.
“In the 18-year history of this program, we have honored over 400 directors of athletics from each segment of the NACDA membership,” said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Executive Director. “I would like to congratulate the 2015-16 Under Armour ADOY class of award winners, and look forward to continuing this tradition of honoring the outstanding leadership in our profession for many years to come.”
