Tuskegee University Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletic Director Reginald Ruffin has been named a 2025-26 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Athletics Director of the Year, according to a March 16 announcement.
The award recognizes athletics administrators who show exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to student-athletes and their institutions. Ruffin was selected as one of the national honorees in the NCAA Division II category. The honor spans seven divisions across collegiate athletics and highlights directors who inspire excellence within their departments and communities.
“Reginald Ruffin’s commitment to our student-athletes and to Mother Tuskegee knows no bounds,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, president and CEO of Tuskegee University. “His extraordinary leadership on and off the field represents the height of sportsmanship, teamwork and the indominable will to win. The entire Tuskegee family is celebrating his well-deserved NACDA recognition.”
Ruffin will be formally recognized during the 61st Annual NACDA & Affiliates Convention on June 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He said, “This recognition reflects the incredible work being done across our entire athletics department. Our coaches, student-athletes, staff, and supporters continue to push Tuskegee Athletics forward, and it is an honor to represent this historic university and the Golden Tiger community.”
Since becoming Tuskegee’s Director of Athletics in December 2021 and later being elevated to Vice President in 2025, Ruffin has overseen significant competitive success across multiple programs. Under his leadership, teams have won conference championships in softball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s track and field, and women’s tennis. Facility improvements have also taken place under his direction; beginning in 2024 with a partnership with Alabama Power that led to new lighting systems at several venues—including Cleve Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium—culminating in hosting the first night football game in program history.
The NACDA Athletics Director of the Year Award is now in its 28th year. It honors those who demonstrate commitment to higher education, student-athlete development, teamwork, and leadership within intercollegiate athletics.
