Indiana Wesleyan University athletic director Mark DeMichael was selected by his peers as the Mid-Central College Conference Athletic Director of the Year.
DeMichael has been at the helm of the Wildcats' athletic department for four years after serving as the school's baseball coach for 11 seasons. The honor is the first for DeMichael.
"It is an incredible honor to receive the 2012 MCC Athletic Director of the Year," said DeMichael. "This award is not a reflection of an individual's accomplishments but instead on the entire Indiana Wesleyan University Athletic Department."
DeMichael became the first full-time AD at Indiana Wesleyan when he took the job over on July 1, 2008. Since then, DeMichael has overseen many improvements while implementing many of his own philosophies in the department.
The first addition to the athletic department under DeMichael was the annual Athletic Commissioning Service and he has since added a Student-Athlete Leadership Summit. Indiana Wesleyan has also begun implementing an expanded roster strategy and wil begin the university's 16th intercollegiate sport in the fall of 2012 when the inaugural women's golf team competes.
DeMichael has also overseen two upgrades to facilities during his tenure. Indiana Wesleyan had a $1.25 million renovation of locker rooms. Men's and women's basketball and volleyball were given new locker rooms inside the Recreation and Wellness Center while baseball, men's and women's soccer, and softball received brand new locker rooms at the Troyer Fieldhouse. Luckey Arena also had a facelift with $50,000 upgrade. The arena has a new floor design plus nearly 500 more seats when bleachers were added to both baselines.
Indiana Wesleyan has also won the MCC All-Sports Championships all four seasons under DeMichael. IWU has earned the trophy for 11 straight seasons and 17 overall.
"Our student-athletes, coaches and support staff are committed to bringing glory to God through intercollegiate athletics and this award is a result of that commitment," added DeMichael. "Administrators also know that you are only as good as your support staff and I am blessed with the best administrative assistant in the NAIA in Melody Leckron. Without her, things do no happen in our Athletic Department."
DeMichael is now eligible for the NAIA AD of the Year award. The honor will be announced next month.