Midway's Rusty Kennedy named RSC Athletic Director of the Year 2016-17
FLORENCE, Ky. -- Midway (Ky.) University's Rusty Kennedy has been selected the River States Conference Athletic Director of the Year for 2016-17. Kennedy earned the honor after a vote of his peer athletic directors in the conference.
It was a year of growth, change and success for Midway athletics in 2016-17. Kennedy arrived at the school in January 2016, and during the next school year, he oversaw big changes that made the Eagles' athletic department and the conference stronger. Midway athletics debuted men's sports for the first time ever in 2016-17, added many staff positions and also had some strong showings within the conference standings.
"I am humbled and grateful that my peers have honored me with this award," said Kennedy, who came to Midway with 18 years experience as a coach, instructor and administrator on the collegiate level. "It was a unbelievable year for Midway University and especially the Athletic Department. A lot of the credit goes to our outstanding student-athletes and athletic staff, who make me look good. I also want to thank our Board of Trustees and President Dr. John Marsden, whose vision and leadership made our growth and success possible."
Highlights for Midway in 2016-17 under Kennedy's guidance include adding six new varsity sports teams, which included the first four men's sports teams in school history. That increased the school's student-athlete total from 92 to 260. The Eagles athletics staff had 10 new staff positions added, which included the coaches of the new sports and the school's first full-time sports information director.
On the athletic side of things, the Eagles had strong showings in several sports such as RSC Tournament championships in baseball and women's golf, which were two sports teams that reached the NAIA national tournament. The Eagles also had a strong season in women's basketball as RSC West Division co-champions and in softball as the regular-season second-place team.
In the classroom, the Midway athletic department had an overall grade-point average of 3.06. That included 120 student-athletes on the Dean's List with a 3.60 GPA or higher. The Eagles earned the Silver level of the NAIA's Five Star Champions of Character program, the highest level achieved in school history.
YEAR BY YEAR -- RSC/KIAC ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
2016-17 -- Rusty Kennedy, Midway University
2015-16 -- Mark Perdue, Asbury University
2014-15 -- Jeff Lanham, University of Rio Grande
2013-14 -- Dan Swalga, Point Park University
2012-13 -- Joe Glover, IU Southeast
2011-12 -- Pat Mrozowski, Brescia University
2010-11 -- Wendy Hoffman, Midway College
2009-10 -- Jill Jokerst, St. Louis College of Pharmacy
2008-09 -- Pat Mrozowski, IU Southeast
2007-08 -- Pat Mrozowski, IU Southeast
2006-07 -- Pat Mrozowski, IU Southeast
2005-06 -- Pat Mrozowski, IU Southeast
2004-05 -- Pat Mrozowski, IU Southeast
2003-04 -- Pat Mrozowski, IU Southeast