The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics announced this week that Dr. Tim Drain, has been named a winner of the Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year Award.
Dr. Drain, assistant vice president for athletics and student life at TJC, was awarded under the NACD's Junior College/Community College division.
This is Drain’s third time to win the award, having been named Under Armour AD of the Year in 2012 and 2015.
He will be honored during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon on Friday, June 29, at NACDA’s 53rd Annual Convention at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
“I am deeply honored and humbled,” Drain said. “It is a privilege for me to work at Tyler, and I am surrounded by tremendous student-athletes, coaches, staff, colleagues and administration. This award is a reflection of all TJC has to offer, and I appreciate it very much.”
Drain is in his 19th year in athletics administration at TJC and his 16th as athletics director. TJC has won 58 NJCAA National Championships since 1946, which ranks second in the history of NJCAA, with 31 during Drain’s tenure and 26 with Drain as athletics director.
He has served as the NJCAA Region XIV Women’s Director since 2001. He is the chair of both the Service and Recognition and Women’s Tennis committees for the NJCAA. He is also a voting member in the football, women’s basketball, softball and women’s soccer NJCAA National Polls and has been the tournament director for 23 NJCAA National Championships, including men’s and women’s soccer (12), baseball (8), and women’s tennis (3).
In 2017, Drain’s peers elected him to the NJCAA Executive Committee. He served as the president of the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) in 2014-15. He was selected in 2016 to represent NATYCAA on the NCAA Two-Year College Relations Panel and the American Association of Community College Coalition of Affiliated Councils (COAC).
In 2010 he was awarded the George E. Killian Award of Excellence from the NJCAA. He was inducted into the NJCAA Men’s Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013 for his contributions to the sport.
Drain is married to Holly, his wife of 24 years. They have two children, Peyton, 19, and Nathan, 17. Peyton attends Texas A&M majoring in sports management, while Nathan will be a junior at Lee High School.
The ADOY award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.
“This is the 20th year for the Athletics Director of the Year Program, and each year that goes by, we are continually blown away by the standard of success that these award winners maintain across all levels of college athletics,” said Bob Vecchione, NACDA executive director. “Over the last two decades, we have been fortunate to recognize more than 425 individuals for the impressive work they do and the examples they set for everyone in our industry.”
Dr. Juan E. Mejia, TJC provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, said, “It is an honor to work with Dr. Drain, and as a college community we truly celebrate his being recognized by this outstanding organization. Dr. Drain values student success and our communities become stronger because of his leadership.”
Under Armour is now in its 10th year of sponsoring the award and over 220 different athletics directors have been honored with the award during that time.
About TJC: TJC offers more than 120 degree and certificate programs, plus extensive training and technical programs, and offers opportunities for students to transfer to a four-year institution or gain the skills they need to go directly into the workforce; and it is the only Texas community college to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. TJC features a 137-acre campus, rigorous academics, 58 national championships in athletics, stellar fine and performing arts programs; modern residential facilities, and organizations and clubs that reflect student diversity.