June 9, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Rick Taylor, Northwestern's director of athletics since January of 1994, will be honored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) this Saturday, June 14 at the organization's annual convention in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Taylor, who is retiring from college athletics this summer, is receiving NACDA's 2002-03 Division I-A Central Region AD of the Year award.
Taylor has served as Northwestern's director of athletics since January 24, 1994. During his nearly 10-year tenure, Taylor has directed a remarkable turnaround of Northwestern athletics, in terms of success on the playing field and in its facilities. Since his arrival in Evanston, the Wildcats have won 18 conference titles, and 16 of the 19 varsity teams have participated in postseason competition.
In addition, 13 of his teams have been ranked in the Top 25 nationally, with field hockey and men's golf garnering No. 1 status, and fencing and football being voted No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Additionally, The Sporting News tabbed NU as the 17th-best overall athletic program in the country, and numerous athletes and coaches were selected as national player/coach of the year.
"This is a fitting award for Rick as he closes out a rewarding career in collegiate athletics," said Northwestern President Henry S. Bienen. "I can't thank him enough for his years of service as Northwestern's athletic director. The entire campus has benefited from Rick's vision and leadership."
Prior to his Northwestern stint, Taylor was the AD at the University of Cincinnati (1988-93). Before joining the Bearcats, he was the head football coach and then director of athletics at Boston University for 12 years. Taylor also served as an assistant football coach at Dartmouth (1971-76), Lehigh (1968-70) and Hofstra (1966-67).