KANSAS — Dr. Rob Ramseyer has been named the 2025-26 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year, the conference office announced Friday. This marks the second time Ramseyer has earned this honor, also receiving it in the 2019-20 academic year.
"I'm thankful for this honor and truly believe this is an athletic department award," Ramseyer stated. "The coaches, student-athletes, administrators, faculty, and staff at Friends University do excellent work, and they care about the mission and purpose of this place. My job is to support good people who do their jobs well and understand why we do them. That's what this award reflects, and I'm grateful to be part of it."
The Falcons earned five division and/or conference titles this year in the KCAC. Friends earned the Bissell Division title in football, both the KCAC Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the men's wrestling championship, and the men's golf championship tournament title.
Friends took home the KCAC Commissioner's Cup in the 2025-26 academic year, with a record 196 total points. This marked the sixth time that the Falcons earned the Commissioner's Cup in the award's history (dating back to the 2012-13 academic year), and the first time Friends secured this honor since the 2021-22 academic year. In the NAIA Learfield Directors' Cup, Friends finished 22nd, their highest finish ever in the standings for that award.
Two Friends programs earned Team of Character honors in the 2025-26 academic year: Competitive Dance and Men's Wrestling.
"Dr. Ramseyer has built an athletic program that reflects excellence both on and off the field and court," Dr. Amy Bragg Carey, President of Friends University, said. "Under his leadership, Friends University has experienced sustained competitive success while also strengthening the overall student athlete experience as he prioritizes holistic development of our students, including the spiritual dynamic. Dr. Ramseyer is an exceptional leader and well deserving of this recognition."
Ramseyer serves on several committees on both the conference and national levels. For the KCAC, he serves on the conference's Conduct in Competition committee, and on the NAIA level, he was part of the Women's Soccer National Selection Committee, and is part of the NAIA Return on Athletics (ROA) Advisory Board.
Previous KCAC Athletic Director of the Year Winners
2024-25: Rob Miller, University of Saint Mary
2023-24: Miguel Paredes, Kansas Wesleyan University
2022-23: Shawn Summe, Avila University
2021-22: Arabie Conner, Ottawa University
2020-21: Tony Hoops, Bethel College
2019-20: Dr. Rob Ramseyer, Friends University
2018-19: Mike Hermann, Kansas Wesleyan University
2017-18: Arabie Conner, Ottawa University | Dane Pavlovich, Bethany College
2016-17: Rob Miller, University of Saint Mary
2015-16: Arabie Conner, Ottawa University
2014-15: Joe Zimmerman, Friends University
2013-14: Rusty Allen, Tabor College
2012-13: No Nominees Submitted
2011-12: Rusty Allen, Tabor College
2010-11: Arabie Conner, Ottawa University
2009-10: Diane Flickner, Bethel College
2008-09: Joe Zimmerman, Friends University
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