Saint Leo University athletic director Francis X. Reidy has been named one of 28 Under Armour Athletic Directors of the Year. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the honor on March 5.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)
Reidy has earned the honor for the third time in the past six years, and is one of four Division II AD’s to be recognized. The others are Josh Berlo of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Dave Marsh of Northwood University, and John Planek of Lewis University.
Reidy, who is in his 19th year as Saint Leo athletics director, was a recipient for the award for the 2014-2015 and 2011-2012 seasons. Under his direction the past two years, Saint Leo athletics won its first individual national champion (men’s golf in 2016) and team national title (men’s golf 2016). It also added the women’s individual national champion (women’s golf in 2017).
Meanwhile, Reidy has guided the Lions into the top 20 of the Learfield Director’s Cup, including the program’s best finish of second place in 2015-16, while overseeing the addition of the newest sport, beach volleyball. Reidy also has directed the growth of success of 25 All-Americans and six total CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
The Under Armour Athletics Director 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.
Under Armour is in its 10th year of sponsoring the award. During that time, more than 220 different athletics directors have received the award.
