2018 NEXT UP presented by adidas

Welcome to 2018 NEXT UP presented by adidas

The premise is a simple one. NEXT UP are senior-level administrators, handpicked by some of the most respected athletic directors in the industry, who are believed to be ready to take the next step as athletic directors in their own right.

This year’s NEXT UP presented by adidas panel of athletics directors have…

A combined 40-years of experience in the chair
3 athletic director of the year awards between them
Served or are currently serving as College Football Playoff Chair
Served or are currently serving as NCAA DI Men’s Basketball Committee Chair
Served or are currently serving in NCAA DI Leadership Council

Additionally this year, for the first time, our past 2016 and 2017 NEXT UP class members took part in the nomination process. Over two thirds of the previous NEXT UP classes submitted nominations and spoke to CollegeAD on the merits of each nominee.

After nearly 100 calls and communications with the NEXT UP athletic director panel and our previous NEXT UP class members….

11 NEXT UP presented by adidas class members were selected for 2018

Following the selection, the CollegeAD staff conducted one-on-one conversations with each 2018 NEXT UP presented by adidas class member, and communicated with each respective class member’s athletic director with the goal of pulling out what makes each honorees tick, what’s real, what’s at their core. Not only are these the same qualities that make them phenomenal leaders but it is also why they were selected to this year’s class.

Recognition for each class member will take place over the course of three days (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) during the NACDA convention, the professional association for those in the field of intercollegiate athletics administration.

So without further ado, we give you the 2018 NEXT UP class presented by adidas.