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Mullens Honored As AD Of The Year
03/10/21 | General
Oregon director of athletics Rob Mullens was honored Wednesday by the national organization of collegiate ADs.
Oregon director of athletics Rob Mullens was named one of the best in the business Wednesday.
Mullens, who celebrated 10 years with the Ducks in July, was named an Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. He was one of four honorees from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Under the leadership of Mullens, UO athletics enjoyed unprecedented success in 2020. Oregon's football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams each won Pac-12 titles; in 2019-20, Oregon became just the second Power 5 program to win all three in the same academic year, and the football team repeated as Pac-12 champions in fall 2020.
Off the field, Oregon athletics was honored with the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletics Association's 2020 Award for Diversity and Inclusion. In announcing the honor, the NCAA and MOAA noted the creation of the "BEOREGON" campaign in recent years, the formation of a Community and Inclusion Committee within the athletic department and the "Women of Oregon" group to empower female staff members.
The UO football team followed its 2019 conference title by winning the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, 2020. The women's basketball program followed its regular-season title by winning the conference tournament, while the men's team saw its bid to do the same spoiled by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of its conference tournament.
Individually, Payton Pritchard and Sabrina Ionescu each was named Pac-12 player of the year, and the top point guard in the country. Justin Herbert, who in fall 2019 was awarded the Campbell Trophy — the "academic Heisman" — was taken with the No. 6 overall selection in the NFL Draft before going on to be named Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Among the criteria for the NACDA award were five years of service as an athletic director; 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.
As Mullens navigated UO Athletics through the pandemic, a priority was placed on maintaining an elite experience for student-athletes, and retaining staff positions. Though a hiring freeze has impacted some staff positions, none has been eliminated permanently.
"As we reflect upon all that has happened in our industry and in our world over the past year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to honor the dedication and passion that NACDA athletic directors have for their student-athletes, institutions and campus communities," said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Chief Executive Officer.
"This year we certainly could recognize every AD in the country with this award. We applaud the efforts of the men and women across the country who have served as a source of inspiration and strength in leading their departments through this unprecedented time."
Mullens, who celebrated 10 years with the Ducks in July, was named an Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. He was one of four honorees from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Under the leadership of Mullens, UO athletics enjoyed unprecedented success in 2020. Oregon's football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams each won Pac-12 titles; in 2019-20, Oregon became just the second Power 5 program to win all three in the same academic year, and the football team repeated as Pac-12 champions in fall 2020.
Off the field, Oregon athletics was honored with the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletics Association's 2020 Award for Diversity and Inclusion. In announcing the honor, the NCAA and MOAA noted the creation of the "BEOREGON" campaign in recent years, the formation of a Community and Inclusion Committee within the athletic department and the "Women of Oregon" group to empower female staff members.
The UO football team followed its 2019 conference title by winning the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, 2020. The women's basketball program followed its regular-season title by winning the conference tournament, while the men's team saw its bid to do the same spoiled by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of its conference tournament.
Individually, Payton Pritchard and Sabrina Ionescu each was named Pac-12 player of the year, and the top point guard in the country. Justin Herbert, who in fall 2019 was awarded the Campbell Trophy — the "academic Heisman" — was taken with the No. 6 overall selection in the NFL Draft before going on to be named Rookie of the Year with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Among the criteria for the NACDA award were five years of service as an athletic director; 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.
As Mullens navigated UO Athletics through the pandemic, a priority was placed on maintaining an elite experience for student-athletes, and retaining staff positions. Though a hiring freeze has impacted some staff positions, none has been eliminated permanently.
"As we reflect upon all that has happened in our industry and in our world over the past year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to honor the dedication and passion that NACDA athletic directors have for their student-athletes, institutions and campus communities," said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Chief Executive Officer.
"This year we certainly could recognize every AD in the country with this award. We applaud the efforts of the men and women across the country who have served as a source of inspiration and strength in leading their departments through this unprecedented time."
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