Four athletic directors receive top NACDA honor
Charlotte, NC - Four NJCAA athletic directors were honored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Wednesday, receiving the association's prestigious Athletics Director of the Year Award (ADOY). The 2020-21 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year Awards in the junior/community college division were awarded to Matt Ennis - State College of Florida, Nick Schroeder - Catawba Valley (NC), Kristen Schuth - Genesee (NY), and Kevin Vest - Tyler (TX).
The award spans seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions, and Junior College/Community Colleges). Winners will be recognized leading up to and in conjunction with the 2021 NACDA & Affiliates Virtual Convention, July 27-28. 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.
Matt Ennis serves as the Director of Athletics and Student Activities at the State College of Florida in Bradenton, FL. Ennis joined the Manatees' leadership team in 2010 after serving as Head Athletic Trainer and Adjunct Instructor at the college. With Ennis at the helm of the athletic department, State College Florida student-athletes have thrived on the playing surfaces and in the classroom. Manatee student-athletes maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher for nine consecutive years. In addition to his contributions on campus, Ennis serves in regional and leadership roles including chairing the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Council for Athletic Affairs, while also serving on the FCSAA's Executive Committee, and on the executive committee of the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators.
Nick Schroder is in his eighth year as the Director of Athletic at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC. Schroder's impact on the Red Hawks' success is undeniable with nine Region 10 championships, six district championships, six national tournament appearances, and 15 NJCAA All-America honors. In 2019, Schroeder helped expand Catawba Valley's athletic offerings, adding softball, esports, and bass fishing. An advocate for student-athletes, Schroeder has seen Catawba Valley's student-athlete GPA, retention, and graduation steadily improve each year under his leadership. Over the past six years, more than 200 Red Hawk student-athletes have signed to continue their athletic and education careers at four-year institutions. Schroeder's regional and national involvement runs deep. Since 2017, Schroder has served as the NJCAA Region 10 Women's Director. Schroeder also serves on the NJCAA Eligibility Committee, the NJCAA DII Volleyball Committee, and the Chair of the NJCAA DII Softball Committee.
Kristen Schuth has served as the Director of Athletics at Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY, since 2013 and oversees 13 intercollegiate athletic programs and multiple facilities on Genesee's main campus. Under Schuth's guidance, the Cougars have claimed two NJCAA national titles, 12 NJCAA Region 3 championships, and earned 39 NJCAA All-America honors. Placing priority in the classroom, 173 Genesee student-athletes have earned NJCAA All-Academic recognition with Schuth leading the department. Schuth's regional and national involvement includes serving as the NJCAA Region 3 Women's Director as well as chairing the NJCAA DIII Softball and DIII Women's Soccer Committees. Schuth has also played an integral role in securing bids for and hosting NJCAA championship events in Batavia including men's lacrosse, men's soccer, and women's soccer.
Kevin Vest was named the Athletic Director at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, TX in August 2019. Since beginning his tenure, Vest has displayed unwavering leadership for the Apache's twelve-sport athletic department, placing an emphasis on student-athlete engagement and success on the playing surfaces and in the classroom. In March 2020, Tyler's women's basketball program secured an at-large bid to the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship. Prior to leading the Apache's, Vest served as athletic director at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL. Vest has experience at the regional and national level, previously serving as the NJCAA Region 4 Men's Director and serving on several NJCAA committees including DIII baseball and DIII men's basketball.
About NACDA
NACDA, now in its 56th year, is the professional and educational Association for more than 22,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,200 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 6,500 athletics administrators annually attend NACDA & Affiliates Convention Week. Additionally, NACDA manages 17 professional associations and four foundations. For more information on NACDA, visit www.nacda.com.