SEWARD, Neb. – In the aftermath of Concordia University, Nebraska winning the 2023-24 GPAC All-Sports Championship Trophy, Bulldog Director of Athletics Devin Smith has been named the 2023-24 Great Plains Athletic Conference Athletics Director of the Year. The official announcement came from the league office on Thursday (July 18), marking the third time Smith has earned this distinction in his tenure leading the Concordia Athletics Department. Smith was also recognized as the GPAC AD of the Year for 2014-15 and 2019-20.
Smith has served as the Director of Athletics at his alma mater since June of 2010. His administrative staff includes Associate Director of Athletics Angela Muller and Assistant Athletic Director Levi Calhoun. In addition to three GPAC AD of the Year awards, Smith was named a recipient of the National Athletics Director of the Year Award from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 2021.
Not only did Concordia capture the GPAC All-Sports Championship this past season, it also paced the conference in the final Learfield Directors’ Cup NAIA Standings, checking in at No. 15 nationally. Academically, Bulldog athletes continued a tradition of excellence while combining for 204 NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards and 51 Academic All-District honors (10 All-America awards), as selected by College Sports Communicators. A list of overall athletic department achievements from 2023-24 can be found below.
From the GPAC release:
For the last eight years, Smith has represented the GPAC on the NAIA National Administrative Council (NAC) and is the current chair of the Championships Sub-Committee. He will begin a two-year term as the Char of the GPAC Athletic Director Steering Committee in 2024-25.
“Devin’s passion for our student-athletes and his genuine care for the well-being of our coaches is evident in his daily actions,” said Concordia President Dr. Bernard Bull. “He is a passionate Bulldog and a Champion for Christ, inspiring everyone around him to strive for Christ-centered excellence.”
“The GPAC congratulates Devin on his accomplishments in the past year at Concordia and winning this high honor from the league,” said GPAC Commissioner Corey Westra. “Under Devin’s leadership, the Bulldogs continue to be leaders on and off the courts and fields of competition. The GPAC greatly appreciates his leadership not only for his institution but for our conference and in the NAIA.”
Smith will be the GPAC nominee for the NAIA ADA Athletic Director of the Year.
2023-24 Concordia Athletics Accomplishments
· GPAC All-Sports Champions (fifth time in school history)
· No. 15 in final Learfield Directors’ Cup NAIA Standings
· Six total team GPAC Championships
· 15 top-four GPAC regular season team placements
· Appearances in 14 separate national championship events
· 204 NAIA Scholar-Athletes
· 51 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District awards
· 10 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America awards