Glendale, Ariz.- On Monday, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced their 2024-25 NACDA Athletics Directors of the Year Award (ADOY) winners.  Arizona Christian University's Director of Athletics Dr. Peter Dryer was one of 28 winners that includes four from each of the seven collegiate divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges).  Dr. Dryer and the other winners will be officially honored at the upcoming NACDA & Affiliates Convention on June 10 in Orlando, Fla.

"NACDA is proud to usher in a new class of Athletics Director of the Year Award winners for 2024-25 and recognize these servant leaders guiding their departments into a new age of intercollegiate athletics," said Pat Manak, NACDA chief executive officer. "Each of the seven Divisions has at least one first-time honoree, including four brand new winners in the junior college ranks. These 28 individuals represent their institutions, conferences and the industry as a whole with a level of dedication and passion that shines through in their collective accomplishments."

"ACU Athletics and the ACU community could not be more proud of the leadership that Dr. Pete Dryer provides," commented Keith Baker, Arizona Christian Associate Athletic Director.  "Dr. Dryer is a true professional, putting student-athlete experience and competitive excellence into balance. He continually mentors coaches, staff and student-athletes. He tirelessly promotes the ACU Core Values of Faith, Influence, Relationship and Excellence."

The criteria for nomination highlighted in the NACDA release states:
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 during the tenure of the current athletics director.

The process for nomination and selection is referenced in the NACDA release as:
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.
 
Dr. Dryer was named the Director of Athletics at Arizona Christian University in May of 2019.  Dryer added the role of Dean of Students as well in the fall of 2020, .  Upon his arrival at ACU in the spring of 2015, Dryer was an Associate Athletic Director.

Under his leadership, the athletics department of Arizona Christian has grown to 24 varsity sports with three more set to start or become varsity in the 2025-26 academic year.  Last year, the Firestorm moved into the top three for the first time in the GSAC All-Sports Award with Dryer leading the way.  Dryer is the two-time reigning GSAC AD of the Year.

Joining Dryer as the NAIA Division winners are Tony Hoops (Northwestern College), Lucas Morgan (LSU Shreveport), and Devin Smith (Concordia Nebraska).

For the complete NACDA press release- Click Here.

A well-deserved congratulations to Dr. Peter Dryer- a 2024-25 ADOY winner!