May 29, 2008
Wake Forest University Director of Athletics Ron Wellman on Thursday night was named as the College Athletic Director of the Year by Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal.
The announcement was made at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City.
Wellman was one of four finalists for the award along with Jeff Hathaway of Connecticut, Lew Perkins of Kansas and Gene Smith of Ohio State.
"This is an award for the entire University," said Wellman from New York. "If it were not for everyone being on the same page, we would not be as successful as we have been. From the Board of Trustees, to the University administration, the faculty and staff, the coaching staff, our athletic administration, as well as the student body and our donors, everyone is in lock step with the value of athletics and academics within the university community."
Wellman has guided Wake Forest through an especially trying, yet rewarding, year. His leadership ability was never more evident than in the days following the passing of head basketball coach Skip Prosser in July, 2007. It was Wellman's ability to bring together a grieving athletic department that helped the Deacons continue to move forward.
