The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics has named Nick Schroeder '04 a Junior/Community Colleges Athletics Director of the Year award recipient for 2020-21.
Nick Schroeder ’04 has been named among the nation’s top athletics directors by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
This week, the NACDA announced Schroeder as a 2020-21 recipient of the Junior/Community Colleges Athletics Director of the Year award. Schroeder has been recognized for his work as the director of athletics at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, North Carolina.
Schroeder, an athletic training major in his time at Elon, is serving in his eighth year at Catawba Valley, where he has overseen continued growth and success throughout the program. Schroeder heads a department of eight teams that have claimed 14 conference championships, nine region championships, six district championships, made six national tournament appearances and honored 15 All-Americans. Schroeder helped expand the department from four to eight teams in 2019 when he spearheaded the effort to introduce softball, esports and bass fishing at CVCC.
Student-athlete success has also been a priority in Schroeder’s work. CVCC has seen an improvement in student-athlete GPA, retention and graduation each year of Schroeder’s tenure. Catawba Valley has also helped more than 200 of its student-athletes sign to play at the next level over the past six years.
Schroeder is just the third director of athletics from the Region 10 conference and one of only 71 junior college athletic directors to ever receive the award. Schroeder called it an honor to be recognized for his work and credited his Elon experience for the role it has played in his continued success.
“My love of sport, as well as my fundamental growth of leadership, was truly refined in my time at Elon as a student and an employee,” Schroeder said. “I cannot thank those I was around enough for the attributes they have instilled in me. From the Exercise Science faculty to all of those I worked with in Media Services, these opportunities allowed me to gain the core disciplines I needed to be successful in all that I have applied myself to. I would also like to thank [Senior Associate Athletics Trainer] Martin Baker who guided me through the Athletic Training program and taught me how to be a compassionate leader and someone who saw the best in every student, athlete and person that crossed his path.”
Schroeder currently serves as the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 women’s director and sports information director. He is also chair of NJCAA DII softball and holds positions on the NJCAA Eligibility Committee and DII Volleyball Committee.
The NACDA recognized Schroeder among 28 award recipients from seven divisions of collegiate athletics – NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges. The award honors directors of athletics for their work and commitment to making 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 NACDA Chief Executive Officer Bob Vecchione. “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.”
Award recipients will be celebrated leading up to and in conjunction with the 2021 NACDA & Affiliates Virtual Convention scheduled for July 27-28. The entire list of award recipients can be viewed here.