By Tiffin Athletics


TIFFIN, Ohio - Lonny Allen was one of 28 honorees for Athletics Director of the Year, as announced by The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

NACDA announced the winners spanning spans seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges). Winners will be recognized leading up to and in conjunction with the 2021 NACDA & Affiliates Virtual Convention, July 27-28.

The ADOY Award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.

"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 athletics 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."

Besides Allen, other honorees at the DII level were Paul Lueken of Slippery Rock University, Pennie Parker of Rollins College, and Suzanne Sanregret of Michigan Technological University.

Allen started at Tiffin University as a NAIA baseball player, graduating in 1992 and then continuing his career as a coach for the Tiffin baseball squad for 21 seasons before stepping aside after the 2012 season, to work as full time Athletic Director. He began as Tiffin University's Athletic Director in 2008. Under his direction, Tiffin has expanded to 26 varsity sports, with 10 of those teams being NCAA Nationally ranked. In recent years, he has implemented the largest esports arena in the nation, a 2,400 square foot addition to our wrestling complex, and the addition of women's wrestling on our campus.

Over the last year, new challenges arose due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Allen implemented University and athletic department protocols for student athletes.

"Because of his hard work and dedication we were able to continue with practice and competition of all University Athletic teams," said Assistant Athletic Director Rudy Brownell. "Although many schools around us were not even able to practice, we had men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf and men's and women's tennis competing in conference and regionally."

The university hosted the 2020 Great Midwest Cross Country Championships on campus, which consisted of 10 women's programs and 9 men's programs. Through it all, Allen continued to make sure Tiffin's student athletes were staying active in the community through SAAC. Through Allen's leadership, SAAC put on virtual weekly readings and videos at our local elementary schools, greeting cards were sent to the elderly at our local retirement home, thank you cards were sent to all staff and faculty at the University, and monthly food distribution was organized at the local county food bank.

During Spring 2021, under Allen's leadership, Tiffin University has 21 sports competing home and away for conference, regional and national recognition covering fall, winter, and spring sports simultaneously. He was at the forefront, designing and implementing a University and Athletic wide plan for every student athlete to participate and play the sport they love this academic year.

"When this pandemic hit, he hit the ground running, as he spearheaded establishing a COVID task force on campus which meets once a week," said Senior Woman Administrator and Senior Associate Director of Athletics Kelly Daniel. "He also spent hours that turned into days obtaining PCR tests for our student athletes, and because of him we were the first in the area and conference to be able to begin testing our student athletes.  Lonny is not one to sit behind his desk, but has also went above and beyond. He has actually been on the front lines with our COVID protocol.  He has done temperature checks for our staff and students for months.  Lonny also has become part of the COVID PCR testing process and suits up in gown, mask, and shield assisting our nurse practitioner."

"If there is one characteristic that Lonny exemplifies, it is his belief in teamwork and family," said Tiffin University President Dr. Lillian Schumacher. "His management of the athletic department consists of treating everyone fairly and buying into the team concept. If you work closely with him, the department becomes a family. This has always been his philosophy but the past year has seen that approach tested more than ever before due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His example of leadership has set a standard on campus and at the conference level."

All NACDA-member directors of athletics in the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. Among the criteria were service as an AD for a minimum of five consecutive 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. Additionally, each AD's institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body (i.e., NCAA, NAIA, etc.), in which the institution could not have been on probation or cited for a lack of institutional control during the tenure of the current athletics director.

Nominators were NACDA-member directors of athletics, institutional presidents and conference commissioners, as well as other respected intercollegiate athletics administrators. 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.

"It is a tremendous honor to receive this from NACDA," said Allen. "I appreciate the recognition but this should go to the entire athletic department as without them and their hard work this would not be possible. Tiffin University is an amazing place to be at and work, from the administration to every student athlete that walks these grounds. This truly has been a year of adversity and challenges but everyone at TU has come together to ensure that our students are having the best experience possible. We have made sure in the athletic department that that same experience has been given to our student athletes."