Ashford University Director of Athletics Meg Schebler has been named one of four NAIA recipients of the Under Armour AD of the Year Award announced Tuesday morning by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

The 28 award winners span seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS: Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges) and will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon. The event will be held on Saturday, June 15, at NACDA's 48th Annual Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Schebler joins three other winners from the NAIA/Other Four Year Institutions category including Greg Feris of Wayland Baptist University, Mike McCutchen of Freed-Hardeman University and Bob Wilson of Vanguard University.

"Honors like this are truly a reflection of the people I get to work with day-in and day-out," said Schebler. "I am grateful to the athletic department staff, as well as to the Ashford University community, all of whom make it easy to come to work every day. I want them to realize that this award recognizes them and their outstanding abilities."

Schebler joined the athletics department in 1998 and has served the university in a number of capacities. During her tenure, Schebler has been the head women's basketball coach, the head softball coach, and an Ashford adjunct faculty member. Additionally, she serves on numerous committees for the institution as well as within the NAIA.

Since Schebler took the reins of the AU athletic department, the Saints have appeared in more NAIA national championships than ever before. Most recently, both Ashford soccer programs hosted the NAIA National Championship opening round contests last fall in Clinton and, for the first time in school history, the men's golf and women's tennis programs received national recognition inside their respective top-25 national rankings.

Academically, all 15 eligible Ashford University athletic programs were honored as NAIA scholar-teams following the 2011-12 academic season.

Schebler was recognized as the 2011-12 National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) NAIA Administrator of the Year, an honor she collected in October of 2012.

About Ashford University

Ashford University is defining the modern college experience by combining the heritage of a traditional campus with the flexibility and effectiveness of online learning. The University provides a vibrant learning community where high-quality programs and leading-edge technology create a dynamic, immersive and stimulating learning experience. The University offers practical and progressive associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Ashford University – where heritage meets innovation. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Winet Rodriguez, vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.