TicketsApril 2, 2008
CINCINNATI - University of Cincinnati Director of Athletics Mike Thomas has been named a recipient of the 2008 General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletics Director Award, given by the All-American Football Foundation.
The prestigious award, which is named in honor of the West Point graduate and Hall of Fame head coach at the University of Tennessee, will be presented to Thomas at the Midwest Banquet of Champions on April 21. The banquet is being held at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. The award is given annually to those who display outstanding leadership and accomplishment in college athletics. This is the second time Thomas has received the distinction, having won it at the University of Akron in 2005.
A 22-year v eteran of college athletics administration, Thomas was named as the University of Cincinnati's new Director of Athletics on October 20, 2005. Since taking the reins of the 18-team, 559 student-athlete department, Thomas has championed student-athlete development and fiscal responsibility, while also authoring a detailed plan for competitive success in the BIG EAST Conference and on the national level.
In May of 2006, Thomas introduced his vision for Bearcats Athletics, aptly titled CATAPULT. Thomas's five-year vision for UC's 18-sport intercollegiate program was launched on the six-month anniversary of his hiring as AD. CATAPULT--an acronym for championships, academics, and together--sets the goal that in the next five years UC will win a BIG EAST championship in every sport; UC's student-athletes will lead the general student body in graduation rate and grade point average; and UC's student-athletes and coaches will engage the Cincinnati community in service.
In March 2007 UC Athletics was recognized with the 2006-07 Diversity in Athletics Award, presented by the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport at Texas A&M University. The award recognizes the NCAA Division I athletic departments that excel in various areas of diversity. UC was recognized for the graduation of African American male athletes. UC was one of just 10 programs nationwide to earn the Diversity in Athletics Award for the graduation of African American male athletes.
Prior to UC, Thomas spent five years as the Director of Athletics at the University of Akron, seven years as associate athletic director at the University of Virginia, an institution known for achieving impressive success both academically and athletically, before bringing that model to Akron.
Under Thomas' direction, Akron rose from last place to second among Mid-American Conference schools in the Director's Cup annual rankings. Simultaneously Akron vaulted from last to second place in the MAC Academic Achievement Awards.
Recognized for his administrative acumen by his peers, Thomas presently serves on several national and conference committees, including the NCAA Division I Championship/Competition Cabinet, which oversees the licensing of postseason bowl games, the NCAA Men's Basketball Issues Committee, the Division I-A Athletics Directors Association Legislative Review Committee, and he also chairs the BIG EAST Championship and Competition committee. Thomas has also previously served as a member of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issues Committee and the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet.
Prior to his experience at Virginia, Thomas spent seven years at the University of Denver as assistant athletic director for internal operations, and one year at the University of Iowa in marketing and promotions.
Thomas, 48, received his B.S. degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University in 1983, and his M.S. degree in Athletic Administration from Western Illinois University in 1986. He and his wife, Jenifer, have four children: Vincent, Joseph, Mick, and Meredith.