JARRETT NAMED REGIONAL A.D. OF THE YEAR

Old Dominion University Athletic Director Jim Jarrett has been selected the 2002-03 Division I-AA/I-AAA Southeast Region NACDA Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics.

Jarrett will receive the award during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon at NACDA's 38th Annual Convention at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.

"An award that is determined by your peers is very special," said Jarrett. "I have been fortunate to work with special people who have provided great support to Old Dominion University's athletic success."

Jim Jarrett arrived at Old Dominion University in 1967 as a health and physical education professor, and has served as the director of athletics for 32 years. He guided the NCAA Division II program that won a national championship in men's basketball in 1975, to a nationally respected Division I power that has captured 30 overall national championships.

In 1974, Old Dominion became the first university in the state of Virginia to award grants-in-aid to female student-athletes. Five years later, the Lady Monarchs won the first of three national championships in women's basketball and led the nation in attendance.

Jarrett's participation in the first NCAA Women's Basketball Committee resulted in Old Dominion hosting the first two NCAA Women's basketball Final Four tournaments.

Under Jarrett's leadership, the number of ODU athletic facilities have tripled, including construction of baseball, outdoor tennis complexes, a sailing center, soccer stadium, The Ted Constant Convocation Center and renovations to Foreman Field which serve as home fields for field hockey and women's lacrosse.