Concordia Athletics celebrates Athletic Director of the Year and GPAC All-Sports Championship
Athletic Director Devin Smith.
Photo credit: Concordia University Nebraska Athletics
Athletic Director Devin Smith and Concordia University Nebraska Athletics humbly celebrated the Great Plains Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year and GPAC All-Sports Championship awards for the 2023- 2024 academic year.
The All-GPAC Sports Championship award is given to the team that earns the most points for their regular season success. The higher a team is seeded, the more points they earn.
As a school, Concordia won five championships, including women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, baseball, and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field. Concordia last won the award for the 2021-22 academic year.
For Athletic Director Devin Smith and the other athletic staff, the award has highlighted lasting success despite obstacles.
“I think it just really demonstrates that we have a template to be chasing conference championships,” Smith said. “As I look back, I think we have placed in the top two for eight of the last nine years, which tells us sustainable success. No matter economical changes, or health challenges with COVID, we have challenged ourselves to be exceptional.”
Smith, who has been Concordia’s Athletic Director since 2010, was honored with the Athletic Director of the Year award for the third time in his tenure. The past two awards came in 2014-15 and 2019-20.
Smith was very humbled by and filled with emotion to receive the award. He quickly credited his staff and athletes for the recognition that came with the reward.
“I had a lot of raw emotion,” Smith explained. “Thanks to student athletes and staff, I’m just humbled that my name is attached to an award from the Great Plains Conference. It’s humbling and it says the amount of work that was put in by people across campus…it was just an awesome year.”
Smith was also proud of Concordia’s placement in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, coming in the highest of the conference and No. 15 nationally in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings. The standings are based on national competition success, like national tournaments or national meets.
While Smith has been at the helm for Concordia, he has wanted to give glory to God, foster strong relationships, and provide constant support to make sure that Concordia is a unique experience for every student athlete.
A key moment in the year that highlighted that experience for Smith was preparing the baseball field for the GPAC Tournament. Students and supporters came to clean the field for the team before the game, showing the connectivity of Concordia Athletics.
“Not many people would know this, but my favorite moment from this year was when a collection of individuals came together to complete a common goal and prepare the baseball field for the GPAC Tournament game,” said Smith. “That moment made me the proudest.”
As athletics begin again for the 2024-2025 season, Smith and the athletic staff are looking to continue the success and continue to provide a unique opportunity for future student athletes.
