Cleveland, Ohio – University of Dayton Vice-President and Director of Athletics Tim Wabler is one of 28 winners of the Under Armour AD of the Year Award (ADOY), announced by The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) today. 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 Wednesday, June 17 at NACDA's 50th Annual Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Wabler is one of four to be honored from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

"I am honored by this recognition which is indicative of all of the hard work and great efforts by all of our staff and coaches at the University of Dayton," said Wabler. "In addition, the unparalleled backing by the top supporters of Flyer Athletics has made a significant difference and provided us the resources that have been, in some cases, game-changing for the Division of Athletics."

NACDA Executive Director Bob Vecchione explains the ADOY Award is essential because it highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.

"Since 1998, NACDA has been highlighting the notable contributions made by athletics directors across all divisions of our membership," said Vecchione. "These 28 winners have been recognized by their peers for their outstanding work on campus, in their community and supporting their student-athletes."

Wabler is responsible for the oversight of 17 intercollegiate athletics programs, athletic facilities including Baujan Field and the Frericks Center, and the University of Dayton Arena with the surrounding Arena Sports Complex.  A former Flyer student-athlete himself, Wabler is the seventh man to serve as the University of Dayton's Director of Athletics. Since taking over as the director of athletics at the University of Dayton more than five years ago, Wabler has elevated the UD Division of Athletics to national prominence and is unyielding in providing the best resources for Flyer student-athletes.

Since Wabler has been part of the University's Athletics Division, the Flyers have significantly improved their competitive success. In the last five years, Flyer teams have combined to have their best winning percentage than any other period in school history. In addition to the success of the Flyer basketball programs in 2014-15, UD women's soccer, volleyball and softball all won Atlantic 10 Championships. 

Wabler hired Archie Miller who led the men's basketball team to a run into the 2014 Elite Eight®, while the women's basketball team earned their sixth consecutive NCAA berth in 2015 and made a run to the Elite Eight® under the direction of Head Coach Jim Jabir. Wabler was key to extending the contracts of both Flyer basketball coaches.

The Flyers' have a robust television package that includes a combination of national, regional and local exposures on network affiliated outlets. A total of 122 men's basketball games were televised in the last four seasons.

The University of Dayton Arena has provided a platform for national exposure for the University and the region as an NCAA host. The Arena has been the site for 109 NCAA men's tournament games since the building first opened in 1969.

Wabler's most recent success story is the addition of the world-class Olsen Athletics Performance Center on Dayton's campus. The dedication for its new multi-million-dollar, 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art training facility was held Dec. 19, 2014. In less than 18 months, UD conceived, funded and completed the $2.1 million facility. This renovation allows all of the University's nearly 450 student-athletes to train, practice and study within a 500-foot radius.  

This is the latest of many investments the University has made in its athletics facilities under the direction of Wabler. In addition to the construction of the Olsen Athletics Performance Center, the Riggs Academic Center and the Cronin Center, home of UD basketball and volleyball teams, were added during Wabler's tenure. An additional $5 million in capital projects will begin this summer. More than 85 percent of the funding for the upgrades has come from private donations and corporate support.

While setting milestones in several sports, they have maintained graduation rates that are among the highest in the country. Dayton's GSR of 95 in this year's report ranks the University tied for 25th in the nation and tied for first in the Atlantic 10. As success on the field has improved, UD student-athletes have also performed in the classroom. The Flyers' combined cumulative grade point average has risen to a school-record of 3.305. In addition the Flyers are leaders in community service. UD finished second in the A-10 Assists Challenge, which organizes community service projects that the Atlantic 10 member teams are engaged in into a fun and competitive activity that increases the visibility and awareness of the A-10 SAAC. The Flyers completed more than 3,000 service hours in 2014-15.

Wabler has been involved in numerous NCAA committees including as a member of both the NCAA FCS Championship Committee and the NCAA Division I Football Issues Committee.  He has been active in the Atlantic 10 Conference having served as Chair of the Atlantic 10 Conference Athletics Directors' Administrative Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee, and is a current member of the Atlantic 10 Television Committee. Wabler is also a member of University's President's Council and President's Cabinet.

Wabler is the first Dayton native to serve as the University's Director of Athletics. Tim and his wife Arlene have two married daughters, Sarah and Leigh Anne.