Joan McDermott has seen Metro State earn four national championships in the 10 years she’s been athletic director.

Metro State Athletic Director Joan McDermott was named the AstroTurf Athletic Director of the Year for Division II’s West Region by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Monday.

McDermott, who is in her 10th year as the athletic director at Metro State, is one of 29 winners of the award selected from four regions (Northeast, Southeast, Central and West) and seven categories (Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and Junior/Community Colleges).

McDermott leads a 17-sport program at Metro State, which has won four national championships in two sports under her leadership (men’s basketball, 2000 and 2002 and women’s soccer, 2004 and 2006).

NACDA Executive Director Mike Cleary says the award highlights the efforts of athletic directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to campuses and their surrounding communities.

“The program brings to light the exceptional jobs done by athletic directors across the country,” said Cleary. “These 29 winners exemplify that, providing us with a group of outstanding athletic directors who excel at their jobs.”

Among the criteria for the award were service as an athletic director for a minimum of five academic years, demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes, continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence, and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments.