Bryant's Dan Gavitt Named Athletic Director of the Year By NACDA

DAN GAVITT NAMED NACDA ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

     LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL  – Bryant University Director of Athletics Dan Gavitt has been named the GeneralSports TURF Systems Division II Northeast A.D. of the Year announced this week by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).  Gavitt is one of 25 directors honored at this week's NACDA 40th Anniversary Convention at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

     Since joining the Bryant University athletics department in 1999, Gavitt has overseen an athletics department that has established itself as one of the best in the region, both athletically and academically.  A total of 40 student-athletes earned Academic honors nationally and by the Northeast-10 Conference last year.  During the 2000-01 campaign, Bryant earned the distinction of finishing third among all Division II institutions in student-athlete graduation rates.

     Athletically, Bryant has established itself as one of the top well-rounded programs not just in the conference but also on a regional and national level as well.  In 2003-04, Bryant earned its first-ever Northeast-10 Conference Presidents' Cup trophy, distinguishing itself as the top athletic program among 15 member institutions.  And just this past season, Bryant once again claimed Presidents' Cup honors with yet another outstanding athletic season. Over the course of the past two seasons, Bryant has captured eight Northeast-10 Conference titles, delivered 16 teams to the NCAA tournament, and has produced 18 All-Americans.  

     Gavitt recently completed a term as chair of the NCAA Division II Northeast Region Baseball Committee and was also a member of the national committee.  Prior to assuming his position at Bryant, Gavitt was president and owner of the Craigville Sports Associates, a sports marketing and event management firm based in Providence, and spent six seasons as an assistant men's basketball coach at Providence College.  He holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a master's degree from Providence College.   

    Award winners are selected by NACDA from four geographic regions - northeast, southeast, central and west; while the NACDA membership is separated into six categories - Division I-A; Division I-AA/I-AAA combined; Division II, Division III; NAIA; and Junior/Community Colleges.

    NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary says the ADOY Award is essential because it highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to campuses and their surrounding communities.

     “Our Honors and Awards Committee recognized a need for an award such as the AD of the Year,” said Cleary, who oversaw implementation of the program to allow all NACDA Officers and Honors and Awards Committee members to participate in the awards process, should they be elected. “The program brings to light the exceptional jobs done by athletics directors across the country. These 25 winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of outstanding athletics directors who excel at their jobs.”

    Division I-A, I-AA/I-AAA, and Division II winners of the 2004-05 GeneralSports TURF Systems AD of the Year Award are: