Charlotte, NC - Women Leaders In College Sports named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)'s Tonia Walker as the 2022 NAIA Nike Executive of the Year for her time at Bluefield College. Walker was the Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics at Bluefield from 2020 to July 2022 before being named the Senior Associate Commissioner for Strategic Marketing and External Operations at the CIAA.
The Nike Executive of the Year Award, formerly known as the Nike Administrator of the Year Award, is presented to Women Leaders in College Sports members for significant contributions made as a senior-level administrator of intercollegiate athletics. The award recognizes administrative excellence in each division [NCAA Division I, FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA/NJCAA/Community College and Conference/Organization]. The Executive of the Year Award in each division is presented in years which an individual is deserving of such recognition, typically annually.
The award winners were nominated by their peers and selected by the Women Leaders Awards Committee.
"It is an honor to recognize and celebrate this group of exemplary women, including emerging leaders, seasoned executives, and industry front runners," says Patti Phillips, CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports. "These women represent exceptional leadership and are highly deserving of their awards."
Walker was previously the recipient of the Nell Jackson Award in 2008. Women Leaders in College Sports (known-then as NACWAA) bestows the award annually to an athletic administrator who exemplifies the qualities of Dr. Nell Jackson. Walker is a 2004 graduate of the NACWAA/HERS Institute and 2005 NACWAA Executive Institute, serving to enhance opportunities for women to move into positions as athletics directors or conference commissioners.
About Women Leaders in College Sports
Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 3,800 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes. Read about the recent advancement landscape for women athletic directors in CEO Patti Phillips' May 2021 USA Today op-ed, and follow Women Leaders on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @WomenLeadersCS.