Xavier’s Jason Horn given NACDA NAIA AD of the Year honor

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana’s Jason Horn, whose leadership as assistant vice president for student affairs/director of athletics and recreation has propelled his department to numerous successes in competition and in the classroom, has earned a 2020-21 Under Armour AD of the Year Award.

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the recipients Wednesday. Horn is one of four recipients among NAIA members. The award comes seven years to the day since Horn’s hiring at XULA was announced.

The AD of the Year Award highlights the efforts of athletic directors for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities. Horn is one of 28 recipients from across all divisions of the NCAA, plus the NAIA and junior/community colleges.

“I’m thrilled that Jason is being recognized nationally, again for his outstanding work with Xavier Athletics,” XULA President Reynold Verret said. “Leading any college program is challenging, but Jason handles it with intelligence, enthusiasm and grace. His commitment to the success of our scholar athletes is deeply appreciated. This award is well-deserved.”

This is Horn’s second national award in seven months. In September he was named NAIA National Athletics Director of the Year for 2019-20 by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Horn also won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year three of the past four years.

“Jason has done a tremendous job of creating a vision of what student-athletes can become and has helped the coaches provide what is needed to develop their programs,” XULA Vice President for Student Affairs Curtis Wright said. “As a result Xavier University of Louisiana continues to shine as one of the best NAIA athletic programs in the country — and, pound for pound, one of the best at any level.”

Horn will be recognized during the 2021 Virtual NACDA Convention July 27-28.

“It is humbling to be recognized by NACDA alongside so many outstanding leaders in our industry,” Horn said. “This is a great compliment not only to me, but also to our entire Xavier staff and campus administration. Their commitment and talents every day are the foundation for the great experiences our student-athletes have while representing Team Gold.”

Horn joined the XULA staff in March 2014. During his tenure:

• XULA teams qualified for NAIA national tournaments 48 times in 59 opportunities. Men’s tennis became a three-time national runner-up. Women’s tennis reached the national semifinals four times.
• XULA won 36 conference or NAIA unaffiliated group team championships.
• XULA finished 43rd in 2018-19 with a school-record 341.5 points in the NAIA Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings.
• Every year the department earned an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star award.
• There have been home attendance gains by the Convocation Center’s three primary tenants: men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball.
• XULA expanded its sports offerings. Women’s indoor track and field and baseball returned; softball and co-ed competitive cheer made their debuts.
• The department’s 2.99 GPA for 2019-20 was the highest in the past 10 years.
• XULA instituted live internet broadcasts — free to all — of all home basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball and cheer contests.