Julie Soriero, director of the MIT Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, has been named as one of 28 winners of the Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year Award by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). The award spans seven divisions, including the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division I-AAA, Division II, Division III, NAIA/other four-year institutions, and junior college/community colleges; Soriero was one of four athletic directors honored from NCAA's Division III. Winners will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, June 17, at NACDA's 50th annual convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.
This is the second time that Soriero has been nationally recognized for her leadership to the MIT athletics program. In 2012 the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) honored her as the Division III Administrator of the Year.
Soriero joined MIT as an associate professor and head and director of the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER) in July of 2007. She directs a department that supports one of the most comprehensive athletic programs in the country, featuring 33 intercollegiate teams, including a Division I rowing program that has its women competing in the Patriot League. A noted speaker, Soriero has presented at NACDA and NCAA conventions as well as the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA), the Women’s Coaches Academy, and the NCAA-sponsored Women’s Leadership Symposiums.
Since arriving at MIT, Soriero has been directly involved in the fundraising and construction of a number of capital facilities projects; she also reorganized the DAPER senior management team. Under her leadership, MIT has become one of the top NCAA Division III programs in the country, rising to No. 1 in the nation in the Learfield Director’s Cup standings after the fall seasons of 2014. In final-season Director’s Cup standings MIT has finished in the top-10 in each of the last four years, including a record-high 8th in 2014.
According to NACDA Executive Director Bob Vecchione, the ADOY Award is essential because it highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses, and their surrounding communities.
"Since 1998, NACDA has been highlighting the notable contributions made by athletics directors across all divisions of our membership," Vecchione says. "These 28 winners have been recognized by their peers for their outstanding work on campus, in their community, and in supporting their student-athletes. We look forward to recognizing their significant achievements at our 50th anniversary convention this June.”
