Oct. 17, 2008
Center Valley, Pa. - The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) honored American University Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Athena Argyropoulos as its Division I Non-Football Administrator of the Year Award recipient.
Argyropoulos joined the American Athletics administrative team in January, 2001. She is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the athletics department, while also serving as American's liaison with various NCAA and Patriot League committees; and has administrative oversight of all 16 varsity sports at American University.
Argyropoulos is a 1978 graduate of American with a bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice. She has also completed graduate coursework in the Health Fitness Management program at American. A student-athlete during her undergraduate years, Argyropoulos lettered in field hockey and basketball for the Eagles; and following graduation, she went on to join the university's Department of Government in the School of Public Affairs as an Academic Counselor in 1983. While there, Argyropoulos managed the Department of Government's undergraduate advisement office. During her tenure she advised over 800 undergraduate students majoring in political science. In that span, she also served as the NCAA Compliance Liaison for the School of Public Affairs and was a member of numerous university committees, including the University Awards Committee.
No stranger to collegiate athletics, Argyropoulos is a distinguished basketball official. A member of the officials staff in a number of Division I conferences, Argyropoulos has officiated in several conference tournaments, eight NCAA Tournaments, the 1996 U.S. Women's National Team trials, the Jones Cup Trials and numerous other National Team events. She is also a member of the AAU national staff and has officiated at several AAU tournaments.
The Administrator of the Year Award, sponsored by Jostens, is bestowed to NACWAA members whom have made significant contributions as administrators of intercollegiate athletics. This award, recognizing administrative excellence, is presented annually to a NACWAA member in the following categories: NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision; NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision; NCAA Division I Non-Football; NCAA Division II; NCAA Division III; NAIA/Junior/Community Colleges; Conferences/Organizations; and Nell Jackson Award.