KCACSports.com

Wichita, Kan. - For his efforts during the past school year, Rusty Allen has been named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Athletic Director of the Year for 2011-12.  He will be recognized at the upcoming KCAC Sport Management Conference at Ottawa University on August 7.

The annual Athletic Director of the Year Award is determined by a peer vote among the members of the KCAC Governing Council.   By virtue of receiving this award at the conference level, Allen will also be considered as a candidate for the National Athletic Director of the Year by the NAIA Athletic Directors Association.

"His service has been selfless throughout and is also thoughtful, forward-thinking, and provides a level of stability to the conference," said Dr. Scott Crawford, KCAC Commissioner.

Since 2009, Allen has served as a member of the Executive Committee for the KCAC Governing Council in the roles of Vice-Chair (2009 - 2011) and as Chair (2011 - present).  Allen will also begin serving on the NAIA National Letter of Intent committee, per request of the committee chair.

Joe Zimmerman, Athletic Director for Friends University said of Allen, "Rusty possesses the qualities that we all strive for in NAIA administration. His dedication to students, combined with his display of servant leadership, respect, integrity, responsibility, and adherence to sportsmanship have escalated Rusty to the forefront of out conference leadership team."

Allen serves Tabor as the Vice-President of Enrollment Management & Intercollegiate Athletics.  He has presided over athletics since 2008, only recently (2011) adding Enrollment Management to his title.  Allen oversees 19 sports with staff that exceeds 40, not including the five graduate assistants currently working with the athletic department.  Athlete enrollment at Tabor College has reached 390 students, up 20% since 2008 from 320 students.

"Rusty is very deserving of this award," stated Tabor College President, Dr. Jules Glanzer. "His proactive leadership coupled with his commitment to excellence has made a significant impact at Tabor, in the KCAC, and in the NAIA.  I am thrilled that his colleagues have recognized his positive leadership and significant accomplishments."  

Some of Allen's most significant accomplishments came in updating the infrastructure of Tabor's athletic facilities.  In four years he has worked in virtually every aspect to build a new football stadium / track & field complex and overhaul the college's baseball field and gymnasium.

In 2011-12, Tabor started a men's and women's bowling program. The college was chosen as one of nine opening round tournament hosts for NAIA Baseball and the Bluejays advanced to the championship game before falling to the eventual National Runner-Up Rogers State. Eighteen track and field athletes qualified for NAIA Outdoor nationals in 2012. NAIA named 16 Bluejays as Daktronics scholar-athletes and placed three on All-America teams (two baseball, one volleyball).

"One of the very best things I can say about Rusty is about his commitment to service," Crawford stated. Prior to being named Vice-President of Athletics, Allen spent seven years as the head women's basketball coach at Tabor College, stepping down after three straight seasons advancing to the of the NAIA D-II Women's National Basketball Championship "Sweet Sixteen".  His accomplishments as the Women's Basketball Coach for the Bluejays also include two KCAC championships (04-05, 05-06) and two KCAC Coach of the Year awards (04-05, 05-06). Outside athletics, Allen has served in many roles at Tabor College including Residence Life & Housing Director, Director of Admissions, and Dean of Enrollment.
 

Allen graduated from McPherson College in 1985 with a degree in Secondary Mathematics Education and earned a master's degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from the Peru State University in 1995.  Allen resides in Hillsboro with his wife, Debbie, they have three children: Jordan, Jesse, and Whitney.