CLEVELAND — Gonzaga Director of Athletics Mike Roth was selected as a recipient of the NACDA Under Armour AD of the Year Award, announced by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics on Wednesday.
 
The award spans seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges). Winners will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, June 11 at NACDA's 54th Annual Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.
 
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.
 
"The athletics directors who have been recognized as part of the Athletics Director of the Year Program continue to raise the bar as thought leaders and decision makers in college athletics," said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Chief Executive Officer.
 
Roth, in his 22^nd year as AD at Gonzaga, also won the award in 2008-09. He's one of just seven repeat recipients this season among the four ADs selected in each of the seven divisions recognized by NACDA. Alongside Roth in Division I-AAA, Creighton's Bruce Rasmussen, Cal State Fullerton's Jim Donovan and Florida Gulf Coast's Ken Kavanagh were also honored.
 
Roth's service to Gonzaga University is centered on success in three areas: (1) in competition, (2) in the classroom, and (3) in the community.
 
The Gonzaga basketball teams continue to be the gold standard in the West Coast Conference, each winning the regular season and tournament titles this season. Mike has continued to make improvements in those programs that allow them to not only maintain their place among the nation's best, but to flourish. The addition of the Volkar Center for Athletic Achievement in late 2017 took GU Basketball and Gonzaga Athletics to a new level, providing a practice court space, strength and conditioning center and film room for hoops. It also features a Hall of Honor, a banquet space for hosting gatherings and training table, and a student-athlete academic lab, all among the 51,240-square foot building.
 
Academically. Gonzaga Athletics Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate numbers currently rank at an elite level, breaking numerous historical records at GU. In the most recent NCAA APR release, GU posted a 998 multi-year average, which tied Holy Cross and Villanova as the highest in the nation. That was followed this Fall by a second straight year with a 99 percent GSR that ranked No. 1 in the nation 2017 and No. 2 in the nation in 2018.
 
In addition to the athletic and academic success under Mike's leadership, Gonzaga Athletics has put a significant focus on community service. During the 2017-18 academic year, GU student-athletes served over 4,000 hours at 30 agencies, and in Fall 2018, served another 2,800 hours in just one semester.