Vic Cegles Honored
Athletics Director Vic Cegles has been named 2014-2015 Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year, Division I-AAA category, awarded by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). The award program recognizes athletics directors across seven divisions who’ve demonstrated administrative excellence and commitment to student-athletes within a campus and/or college community.
"I've been in the athletics business for almost 40 years, so it's nice to be recognized by your peers for those years that you put in to learning about the business and working with athletes and coaches," Cegles said. "But this award is not just about me. It's about the institution, my colleagues here at Long Beach State and all the people who've influenced me throughout my career."
A gifted and accomplished administrator and fundraiser, Cegles has significantly increased fundraising efforts at Long Beach State University since joining in 2006 as the school’s 12th Director of Athletics. The annual fund has increased each year since his arrival, reaching over $2 million in total gifts toward athletics in 2014. Early this year, CollegeAd.org named Cegles one of the 10 best fundraising athletic directors in the country.
Cegles has overseen significant facility enhancements during his tenure, including multi-million dollar renovation of locker rooms in Walter Pyramid, a strength and conditioning center within Walter Pyramid, new scoreboards for baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and water polo and installation of lights at George Allen Field.
He also led the university in a 55-year lease with the City of Long Beach to operate the iconic Blair Field. A $17 million campaign to upgrade the field is now underway.
Under Cegles’ leadership, the 49ers have won 31 conference championships, with 31 LBSU teams advancing to the NCAA Tournament. They’ve also claimed the Big West Commissioner’s Cup, awarded to the top athletics program in the conference, for four consecutive seasons. Academic success has improved with all NCAA sponsored teams at Long Beach State scoring above the required 925 on the Academic Progress Rate (APR).
Cegles will be presented with his award at NACDA’s 50th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida.
