LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D'Argenio has been named a 2023-24 Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. D'Argenio was one of just 28 winners nationally for the award, which highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student athletes, campuses, and their surrounding communities.
 
"Thank you to NACDA for recognizing Siena College and our athletic department with this great award," said D'Argenio. "While this honor is being given to me, it is not mine. It is a recognition of the student athletes who have represented Siena over the years, the staff who have worked tirelessly to create a great experience for those athletes and their coaches, Siena's senior leadership – President Seifert and trustees – who have been committed to continually enhancing Siena College and it's athletic department, and our donors, fans, and sponsors who have provided resources to help us."
 
The criteria for the NACDA Athletics Director of the Year Award includes service as an AD for a minimum of five academic years, demonstration of commitment to higher education and student athletes, continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence, and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Special Divisional Selection Committees composed of current and former directors of athletics, current and former commissioners, and other key athletics administrators voted on nominees for the award.
 
Appointed Siena College Director of Athletics on Apr. 21, 1993 after having served as acting director of the 1992-93 school year, D'Argenio was promoted to his current title of Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics and joined the President's Cabinet on Jan. 27, 2014. As of the beginning of the calendar year, D'Argenio is the second longest active tenured athletic director at the same Division I institution, trailing only Joe Sterrett of Lehigh University (35 years). For a complete listing of the successes and initiatives accomplished during the D'Argenio tenure, CLICK HERE.
 
"The Siena athletics department is a venerated, high-profile reflection of our mission," said Siena College President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. "John's staunch emphasis on equity and academics, and his passionate advocacy for our student athletes, has stoked the ethos of Siena College within our Division I programs for more than three decades. I'm grateful for John's leadership and his numerous accomplishments which, in so many ways, are deserving of such lofty recognition."
 
The NACDA AD of the Year Award honors four individuals spanning each of seven divisions (NCAA, FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions, and Junior College/Community Colleges). D'Argenio was one of four honorees from Division I-AAA, which is the NACDA designation for the group of NCAA Division I non-football institutions.
 
"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."
 
D'Argenio and the 27 other recipients of the 2023-24 NACDA AD of the Year awards will be recognized in conjunction with the 59^th Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention in June at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Now in its 26^th year, the NACDA AD of the Year Award program has recognized a total of 584 deserving athletics directors to date.
 
ABOUT NACDA
Now in its 59^th year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 22,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,200 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 18 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts six major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.