Stetson Athletics is proud to announce that Director of Athletics Jeff Altier has been named as the Under Armour Division I Southeast AD of the Year.

“I am honored to be recognized by my peers and members of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics as the Under Armour Southeast region Division I Athletic Director of the Year,” said Altier. “Over the past 16 years as Stetson University’s athletic director, I have had the pleasure of working alongside and with an outstanding group of coaches, athletic administrators, faculty and student/athletes. Any recognition I receive as an athletic director is simply a tribute to these individuals and the support we have received from our alumni and DeLand community.”

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the 28 winners of the Under Armour AD of the Year Award (ADOY) today.

“From the moment I joined Stetson University, I was impressed with Jeff Altier’s experience with and depth of understanding of the collegiate sports world,” said Stetson President Wendy B. Libby in congratulating Altier. “He believes that Stetson’s athletics should always be about the scholar-athlete. That’s why we are able to attract and graduate great students and great athletes. I am so proud to see him getting this outstanding recognition.”

The award is separated by four geographic regions – northeast, southeast, central and west; while the membership is separated into seven categories – Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A); Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA); Division I (formerly Division I-AAA); Division II; Division III; NAIA; and Junior/Community Colleges. One winner was selected in each of the seven categories, for a total of 28 honorees.

Winners will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Saturday, June 18, at NACDA’s 46th Annual Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla.

NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary explains 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 outstanding jobs done by athletics directors across the country. These 28 winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of exemplary athletics directors who excel at their jobs.”

Altier, a 26-year veteran of the Stetson University Athletic Department, is in his 14th year as Stetson’s Director of Athletics. During his tenure, Altier has earned a reputation as an outstanding fundraiser and a leader with an eye on the future, and is noted for his active participation in the NCAA governance structure.

Captain of the nationally ranked 1982 Hatter baseball team, Altier earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stetson. Upon wrapping up his Stetson baseball career, he spent two years as a player/coach developing the sport in Perth, Australia. He then returned to Stetson as an assistant coach before being promoted to ticket manager, director of athletic promotions, and then associate athletic director. In these roles, he spearheaded the department’s development efforts as well as oversaw athletic marketing and promotions, concessions and travel coordination. He was named director of athletics in 1996.

Altier’s leadership has extended beyond campus, as he has taken on Atlantic Sun Conference leadership roles, chairing many committees and serving as conference vice-president. Additionally, he has served on the National Association of College Directors of Athletics Division IAAA  board of directors, the NCAA A.E.C. Cabinet and is currently a member of the prestigious NCAA Leadership Council. Locally he has served as president of the DeLand Rotary Club, vice-president of the DeLand Sports Redevelopment Association, and is a graduate of Leadership DeLand and Leadership Orlando. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the Central Florida Sports Commission. Altier was honored as the West Volusia Sportsperson of the Year for 2004.

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 academic 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 within the last five years during the tenure of the current athletics director.

NACDA Release:  http://www.nacda.com/sports/convention/spec-rel/061311aaa.html