Walters selected as AD of the Year

Princeton Director of Athletics Gary Walters is one of 29 winners of the AstroTurf AD of the Year Award.

One winner was selected from each of four geographic areas of the country as well as the seven categories of membership of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). In addition, one international winner was chosen.

Walters, who in a five-decade career as a student-athlete, coach, administrator and NCAA leader has established his voice as one of the most respected in college athletics, is in his 15th year as director of athletics at Princeton.

NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary explained the 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 29 winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of outstanding athletics directors who excel at their jobs."

Walters oversees an athletic department that has won 153 Ivy League championships in his first 14 years, a total that is 54 more than the next highest Ivy school during that time. He recently completed a five-year run on the NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee and spent the 2006-07 academic year as the committee chair.

A 1967 Princeton graduate, Walters played point guard on the Tigers’ 1965 NCAA Final Four men’s basketball team.

For more information, read the full release on the athletics website.