WICHITA, Kan. ? Wichita State University Director of Athletics Jim Schaus has been named Division I Central Region AstroTurf AD of the Year Award (ADOY), The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced today.

“I'm pleased that Jim Schaus has received this award,” said Wichita State President Don Beggs. “He has earned this, as not only a function of this past year, but of his entire body of work at Wichita State.”

The 2006-07 athletic season culminated in the athletics department's fourth-straight Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports award, five MVC team titles, and the baseball team's appearance in the NCAA Tournament's Super Regional for the first time since the format was restructured.

Since assuming control of the department July 1, 1999, Schaus has reached the goal of making WSU one of the most competitive programs in the Missouri Valley Conference, a fact highlighted in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 by WSU's four-straight Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Trophies. The awards were were also highlighted by a WSU record seven conference titles in 2005-06 and the basketball team's appearance in the Sweet 16.

The foundation for recent Shocker success, the $25 million Roundhouse Renaissance project, came to fruition in Fall, 2003 with the completion of Charles Koch Arena, and surrounding Henry Levitt Athletic Complex. This landmark in Wichita State history assists Shocker Athletics with a competitive edge, both academically and athletically, that has instilled a renewed sense of pride for WSU and the Wichita area. Cessna Stadium, WSU's track and field facility, was also expanded to eight lanes, while the competition surfaces were reconstructed in the project.

In addition, WSU men's basketball attendance has improved from 61st in the nation with an average attendance of 8,114 in 2000-01, to 37th with an average of 10,435 in 2005-06, to a sold out status for the 2006-07 season at 10,478.

Academically, the overall GPA for student-athletes was above 3.1 collectively on a 4.0 scale and a graduate rate of 90 percent for those who complete their eligibility.

There are four geographic regions - northeast, southeast, central and west; while the membership is separated into seven categories ? Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A); Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA); Division I (formerly Division I-AAA); Division II; Division III; NAIA; and Junior/Community Colleges. One winner was selected in each of the seven categories, for a total of 29 honorees.

Winners will receive their awards during the James J. Corbett Awards Luncheon at NACDA's 42nd Annual Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida on Friday.