John Brown University's Robyn Daugherty has been named the 2017-18 NAIA Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
"This award really speaks to my team of coaches and support personnel who work tirelessly to represent our institution well as they coach and mentor our student-athletes," Daugherty said in a school release. "We all want to win, but more importantly, we want our student-athletes to grow and be prepared for their future -- to keep academics a priority, to graduate, to learn about the inner workings of successful teams for life after college and to grow as individuals."
During Daugherty's tenure that began in 2006, JBU teams have earned 11 trips to national tournament and a cross country runner has participated in three national tournaments. In that span, a total of 152 players have been named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes, which recognizes juniors and seniors with cumulative GPAs of 3.5 or higher.
"Robyn is one of the main reasons for the success we have had, not only on the field and court, but also in our student-athletes' success in the classroom," said women's basketball coach Jeff Soderquist. "She has also built up one of the top coaching staffs in all the NAIA, empowering us as coaches to do our job and do it well.
"Robyn is so well deserving of this award."
Daugherty, who was named the Sooner Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year in 2011, is a 1985 graduate of JBU. She played volleyball from 1982-85 and coached the program from 1990-2010 before retiring from coaching to focus on her duties as athletic director, according to the release.
"Robyn, with the knowledge and understanding as a student, a coach and now an administrator, is able to build relationships and bridge barriers between them all to accomplish the best for JBU athletics," said Dr. Steve Beers, JBU's vice president of student development. "She is characterized by integrity and fairness for all."
Daugherty will accept the award during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon at NACDA's 53rd Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., on June 29.
Sports on 03/11/2018