CLEVELAND – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the 28 winners of the Athletic Director of the Year Award (ADOY) Wednesday, which includes Wofford College Athletic Director Richard Johnson. 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.
Johnson is one of four honorees from the Football Championship Subdivision, joining David Harris (Northern Iowa), David Herbster (South Dakota), and Mollie Marcoux Samaan (Princeton).
“As we reflect upon all that has happened in our industry and in our world over the past year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to honor the dedication and passion that NACDA athletics directors have for their student-athletes, institutions and campus communities,” said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Chief Executive Officer. “This year we certainly could recognize every AD in the country with this award. We applaud the efforts of the men and women across the country who have served as a source of inspiration and strength in leading their departments through this unprecedented time.”
Johnson is in his 20th year as director of athletics at Wofford College. The former head men’s basketball coach has been an instrumental figure on campus for over 35 years. In 17 years as head basketball coach at Wofford (1985-2002), Johnson guided the Terriers from NAIA membership to NCAA Division II in 1988, Division I status in 1995 and the Southern Conference in 1997.
Johnson began his duties as athletic director on Dec. 3, 2001. He has been a driving force behind the development of several facility projects. Russell C. King Field returned baseball to campus in 2003. The Richardson Building was renovated in 2008 and 2018, while the Joe E. Taylor Athletic Building and a golf practice facility were completed in 2009. Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium, a 3,400-seat basketball arena, opened in September 2017. Richardson Hall, providing locker room space for baseball and softball, along with an indoor practice space for golf, opened in 2020. A new softball field will be under construction this spring.
Johnson has also been responsible for the growth of the athletic endowment to a current level of over $41 million. He recently concluded service on the NCAA’s Division I Football Championship Committee and the FCS ADA Executive Committee, while also serving on NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Rules Committee. He was also named Athletic Director of the Year by NACDA in June 2015.
A 1976 graduate of The Citadel, Johnson came to Wofford after serving nine years as a basketball assistant at his alma mater under coach Les Robinson. Johnson also holds an MBA from The Citadel.
All NACDA-member directors of athletics in the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. Among the criteria were service as an AD for a minimum of five consecutive years; demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes; continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence; and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Additionally, each AD's institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body (i.e., NCAA, NAIA, etc.), in which the institution could not have been on probation or cited for a lack of institutional control during the tenure of the current athletics director.
Nominators were NACDA-member directors of athletics, institutional presidents and conference commissioners, as well as other respected intercollegiate athletics administrators. Special Divisional Selection Committees composed of current and former directors of athletics, current and former commissioners and other key athletics administrators voted on nominees for the award. A complete listing of Selection Committee members can be found on NACDA's website at www.nacda.com.