You Won't Believe What Led Indiana’s Scott Dolson to Be Named Athletic Director of the Year!

In a significant achievement for Indiana University, Scott Dolson, the school's Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, has been named the 2026 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year for the FBS Division I category. This honor, awarded by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, recognizes the nation's top athletic directors and has been bestowed since 1999. Dolson's selection marks a historic milestone as he is the first athletic director from Indiana to receive this prestigious award.

Indiana Athletics announced this news in a press release on Monday morning, noting that Dolson will be honored at the NACDA Convention in Las Vegas on June 9, 2026. This accolade highlights Dolson's successful leadership during a tumultuous period in collegiate sports, characterized by challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights, and significant changes in the Transfer Portal.

Dolson, who has been at the helm of Indiana Athletics for six years, previously spent 11 years as the department's Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer. Under his guidance, Indiana has navigated these unprecedented challenges while achieving remarkable success, both athletically and academically.

The zenith of Dolson's tenure has been the remarkable turnaround of the IU Football program. The team recently completed a perfect 16-0 season, culminating in winning the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. This resurgence can be attributed to Dolson's strategic hiring of Curt Cignetti as head coach after the 2023 season. Under Cignetti's leadership, the Hoosiers have recorded an impressive 27-2 overall record, including a dominant 17-1 in Big Ten play. Their success has been historic, as they not only secured the national title but also captured their first Big Ten championship in 58 years. Additionally, quarterback Fernando Mendoza achieved an unprecedented milestone by becoming the program’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner.

But the achievements extend beyond the football field. Under Dolson's leadership, various Hoosier programs and student-athletes have made significant strides. During the 2024-25 academic year, six different student-athletes claimed individual NCAA championships, setting a new school record for the highest single-season total. Moreover, Dolson has overseen a period during which 13 of IU’s 24 athletic programs have ranked among the top two in Big Ten finishes.

On a broader scale, Dolson's impact resonates within collegiate sports leadership nationally. Earlier this month, he participated in a White House roundtable discussion focused on the future of college athletics, representing the voice of progressive change in the field. He also recently completed a two-year term as Chairperson of the Big Ten Athletic Directors Group and was appointed to the NCAA Division I Baseball Selection Committee in early 2024.

Scott Dolson's recognition as the 2026 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year serves as a testament to his effective leadership and vision for Indiana Athletics. As the landscape of college sports continues to evolve, Dolson's accomplishments place Indiana University at the forefront of this dynamic environment, ensuring that both its athletic programs and student-athletes thrive.