National Collegiate Athletic Association

NCAA News Archive - 2010

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Feb 12, 2010 8:59:51 AM

The Division II Athletics Directors Association announced former Gannon AD Bud Elwell as the recipient of the organization's Lifetime Achievement Award.

The annual award honors an athletics director who has exemplified superior achievement during his or her career at the Division II level. Elwell will be recognized at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in June.

Elwell began his tenure at Gannon as an assistant coach in 1961-62 and took over the director of athletics duties in the fall of 1966. He retired in July 1996.

Among his notable accomplishments were guiding the Gannon athletics program from NAIA status to NCAA Division II and increasing the number of varsity sports from five to 17. Elwell also transitioned Gannon, a long-time independent, to being a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

With a focus on gender equity, he added several women's teams to the department and balanced men's and women's scholarships. Elwell was also actively involved in leadership positions with the NCAA, including stints as the NCAA Division II vice president, chair of the Division II Championships and Steering Committees. He also was a member of the NCAA Council, Executive Committee, Administrative Committee, Executive Council and Finance Committee.

Elwell also served as the Golden Knights' head golf coach for 25 years, leading them to a 341-119-6 mark in dual matches and earning 10 bids to the NCAA Division II tournament. His teams also boasted a record 49 tournament championships and six All-Americans.

Lifetime Achievement Award honorees must be at least 60 years old, or have spent at least 25 years in collegiate athletics, with most of those years as an AD. The honoree may be currently in the profession or retired.