WASHINGTON (March 22, 2024) - The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) has selected Howard University's Kery Davis as one of the recipients of the prestigious AD of the Year Award. The announcement came Wednesday (March 20).
Davis is among four Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Athletic Directors honored with the NACDA AD of the Year Award for 2023-24, being joined by: Jason Donnelly (Furman); Martin Newton (Samford) and Chrissi Rawak (Delaware).
The AD of the Year Award recipients will be recognized in conjunction with the 59th Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas at the beginning of the Association-Wide Featured Session Tuesday, June 11, starting at 4 p.m. (PT).
"I am pleased to extend congratulations to Athletic Director Kery Davis on behalf of the entire Howard University community for his outstanding work that resulted in this national recognition," said Howard University President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D. "Leading a Division I program is a complex endeavor, and Kery manages it with intelligence, enthusiasm and compassion, all of which have led him to great success in this role. This is a well-deserved achievement!"
The Bison are in one of the most impressive runs for any FCS school in college athletics since Davis's arrival. Davis oversees Howard University's 500 student-athletes and 21 collegiate sports programs, the most of any HBCU. The athletic programs under Davis have achieved remarkable academic success, winning awards for their graduation rates and culminating in the highest department GPA in recent history. Howard football leads all HBCUs in NCAA APR.
"I am humbled and honored to receive this award," Kery Davis said. "This accomplishment is a validation of the spectacular work that our entire team does on behalf of Howard student-athletes. It honors every staff member, coach, and student-athlete that toils daily on behalf of Howard; a recognition of our outstanding team that is committed to comprehensive excellence. It truly takes a village to be successful in Division I athletics and I hope our Howard family can share in this accomplishment and feel a sense of pride at what it represents. I commend President Vinson and former President Frederick for helping to chart the path for our athletics prosperity. Go Bison!"
Since Davis took the reins in 2015, the Bison have won 31 conference or national championships, led by women's volleyball's six conference championships, including five in a row (2015 to 2019).
Howard is one of 22 schools nationwide to earn a bowl game bid and advance to the NCAA Tournament (2023-24 season), as the Bison football team earned a bid to the 2023 Celebration Bowl and men's basketball made their second consecutive March Madness appearance earlier this month.
The 2023 athletic season was indeed a comprehensive championship year for the Bison on the fields of competition, as Howard swept the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) highest honors by winning the 2022-23 MEAC All-Sports awards, the Talmadge Hill Men's All-Sports and the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports awards. The Bison completed a three-peat in track & field, winning conference championships in women's cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field and took home MEAC titles in men's basketball and football. Men's swimming & diving won the NEC Championship for the first time in program history and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The men's golf team won the PGA Minority Works Championship (HBCU National Championship) by over 50 strokes.
The Bison have also succeeded in the community. In addition to their academic and athletic achievements, Howard student-athletes spent thousands of hours involved in community engagement in 2023-24.
Davis has expanded Howard's identity by partnering with Jordan Brand. Howard is one of six athletic programs sponsored by the iconic brand. In addition to assisting with facility enhancements, the partnership is further set to collaborate on an exclusive Howard line of Jordan Brand merchandise and apparel. Davis has negotiated numerous sponsorship deals with national brands, including AT&T, Rocket Mortgage, Nissan and Nuna Baby, Inc.
Davis' impact has enhanced the culture throughout the campus, said Cynthia Evers, Ed.D., Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs.
"Athletics play a huge role in creating a positive environment on a college campus and the work that has been done under Kery's leadership speaks volumes," Evers said. "The excitement around all our athletic programs goes a long way in making for memorable moments not just for the student-athletes, but for all associated with the University. It has certainly helped increase school pride and we look forward to more ways for school spirit to be heightened through our successful athletics programs."
A native of Bronx, N.Y., Davis brought to Howard more than 20 years of varied experiences in Corporate America and the entertainment industry with a demonstrated record of innovation and revenue growth. Currently, he sits on the NCAA Men's Basketball Oversight Committee, NCAA Legends and Legacy Selection Committee and NCAA Basketball Rules Committee.
The NACDA AD of the Year Award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities. Recognized as one of the nation's premier Athletic Directors, Davis is among 28 recipients of the 2023-24 AD of the Year Award, spanning seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA and Junior/Community Colleges).
"NACDA is honored to continue the tradition of the Athletics Director of the Year Award and recognize a new class of individuals for 2023-24," said Pat Manak, NACDA Chief Executive Officer. "As an Association it is part of our mission to develop tomorrow's leaders led by today's decision makers, which is why it is so fitting that 21 of the 28 recipients of the ADOY award this year are first-time winners. We are proud to play a small role in growing the pipeline of athletics directors making an impact throughout the industry."
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the NACDA website at www.nacda.com.
