🚨 SHOCKING NEWS: Bubba Cunningham Named NACDA Athletic Director of the Year
In a landmark moment for collegiate athletics, Bubba Cunningham, the long-serving Director of Athletics at the University of North Carolina (UNC), has been named the NACDA Athletic Director of the Year. The award, presented by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), recognizes Cunningham’s outstanding leadership, vision, and impact on college sports during a transformative era.
This prestigious honor is not new to Cunningham—he has received similar recognition in past years, but this 2025 accolade is especially significant. It comes as he prepares to transition from his role as UNC’s athletic director into a senior advisor position, marking the end of an era defined by sustained excellence.
A Legacy of Excellence
Bubba Cunningham took over UNC’s athletic department in 2011 and has since transformed the university into one of the nation’s top programs both on and off the field. Under his leadership, UNC teams have won 24 national championships in sports ranging from soccer to field hockey and men’s lacrosse. The Tar Heels have also consistently placed in the top 10 of the NACDA Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, which rank overall athletic success across all NCAA Division I programs.
What sets Cunningham apart is not just the trophies, but the balance he has maintained between athletic dominance and academic excellence. UNC’s student-athletes have posted perfect Academic Progress Rates (APR) across numerous teams and regularly achieve honors in the classroom. His holistic approach has helped redefine what it means to lead a major athletic department.
Strategic Vision and National Leadership
Beyond Chapel Hill, Cunningham has played an instrumental role in shaping the broader collegiate athletic landscape. He has served on multiple NCAA committees, including the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, and is widely respected for his insights on conference realignment, media rights, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) policy, and the evolving business of college sports.
At UNC, he has overseen over $225 million in capital improvements, including renovations to Kenan Stadium, new practice facilities, and investments in Olympic sports. His long-term vision helped maintain UNC’s reputation as a premier destination for elite athletes and coaches.
A Well-Timed Recognition
The timing of this award is noteworthy. Cunningham recently announced he will step aside as UNC’s athletic director in the summer of 2026. He will remain with the university as a senior advisor to assist in the transition to incoming executive Steve Newmark, a former NASCAR executive. The move reflects Cunningham’s forward-thinking approach and desire to leave the program on solid footing.
This NACDA recognition serves as a fitting tribute to a career defined by class, competitiveness, and consistency. It not only honors his past achievements but underscores the respect he commands within the collegiate sports world.
Final Thoughts
Bubba Cunningham’s name will forever be associated with one of the most successful and balanced eras in UNC’s athletic history. His leadership has been a model for athletic directors nationwide. As he steps into a new chapter, this NACDA award reinforces what the sports community already knows: Bubba Cunningham is one of the finest athletic administrators of his generation.
