FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Courtesy of Norwich Athletics Communications
CLEVELAND – Norwich University Director of Athletics Tony Mariano was named a 2018 recipient of the Under Armour AD of the Year Award, presented by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Monday.
Mariano is one of just four NCAA Division III athletic directors and 28 total spanning seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges) to earn the prestigious honor.
"It is an honor to represent Norwich University as an Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year," said Mariano. "I am humbled to join 27 other outstanding winners of this prestigious award and want to thank the selection committee for honoring me."
Winners will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 29 at NACDA's 53rd Annual Convention at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
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.
Mariano is in his 26th year as the Director of Athletics at Norwich University after spending his first 14 years at the university as a coach.
During Mariano's tenure, Norwich University athletic teams have won a combined 11 national championships between men's and women's ice hockey and women's rugby. Several other teams have won multiple conference championships as well.
"Tony Mariano has been the bedrock upon which we have built our leadership-centric athletic programs," said Dr. Richard W. Schneider, Norwich University President. "He champions a values-based educational system which is delivered through his leadership of our athletic programs. I am proud of him and all our Norwich University coaches and student-athletes for living our values each and every day."
Norwich University's athletic facilities have undergone a complete overhaul under Mariano's watch. He has overseen the construction of Kreitzberg Arena, Doyle Hall, Andrews Hall locker room renovations and the renovation of Sabine Field that have helped Norwich University student-athletes compete and train in premier Division III facilities.
During the 2016-17 academic year, Norwich won five conference championships, as well as made two NCAA Tournament appearances capped off with the men's ice hockey team winning its fourth national championship on March 25 in Utica, N.Y. The men's rugby program also made appearances in the USA Rugby Division II 15s Final Four and qualified for the USA Rugby Division II 7s Tournament to complete the most successful season in varsity program history.
Norwich also had 65 student-athletes earn all-conference honors from their respective conferences, while four individuals went on to earn NCAA All-American honors.
Mariano is a 1974 graduate of St. Lawrence University with a degree in Physical Education. He received his master's degree for Norwich University in 1975. Tony and his wife Gail reside in Northfield. Their son Tom is an Associate Dean of Admissions at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. and his daughter-in–law Missy is the head field hockey coach at Hamilton College.
"This is the 20th year for the Athletics Director of the Year Program, and each year that goes by, we are continually blown away by the standard of success that these award winners maintain across all levels of college athletics," said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Executive Director. "Over the last two decades, we have been fortunate to recognize more than 425 individuals for the impressive work they do and the examples they set for everyone in our industry."
Under Armour is now in its 10th year of sponsoring the award and over 220 different athletics directors have been honored with the award during that time.
"The Athletics Director of the Year Award honors those men and women who are visionary leaders in college athletics," said Walker Jones, Under Armour senior director of global sports marketing. "Under Armour is proud to partner with NACDA to facilitate this recognition for the top athletics directors across all divisions."