CLEVELAND – The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) has selected former University of North Dakota director of athletics and football coach Roger Thomas as the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
 
Thomas is being recognized for his exemplary contribution to Division II athletics and the Division II student-athlete experience over the course of his 40-plus year career.

"When I heard I was receiving this recognition, I just immediately thought back to all the people involved in my career," Thomas said. "I'm just humbled. I think of all the jokes, you know, that you have to be a certain age to qualify for this but it's just a thrill."

Thomas most recently served as Director of Athletics at the University of Mary from 2008 until his retirement in 2017 and previously as the Commissioner of the North Central Conference (NCC) the three years prior. He spent nearly two decades at UND, first as a member of Gene Murphy's staff in 1978-79. He would later take the reigns as the head coach in 1986, leading the Fighting Sioux to a record of 90-49-2 in his 13 seasons. His teams would shift the balance of power in the North Central Conference, beating North Dakota State in 1993 for the first time since 1980. Thomas' teams would advance to NCAA postseason play five times and won three NCC crowns. 

Thomas then took over at the athletic director at North Dakota in 1999. His first job was the fill his vacant role and he didn't have to go far. Dale Lennon, who was a longtime assistant, came back to UND and led the Sioux to its first-ever NCAA title in 2001 and right back to the title game two seasons later. 

Thomas oversaw the opening of the prestigious Ralph Engelstad Arena, the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center and the move to the Alerus Center for football under his watch. 

"Thinking back on all the jobs I had at UND and all the people there and my family, I think about all the support. You don't do this without a team-- all the great coaches, administrators, faculty and staff I had and what a lot of those people have gone on to do since, it's astounding. It's truly a culmination of all these people's efforts. 

"Tom Clifford, Gino Gasparini and Gene Murphy all gave me a chance and I'm forever grateful for that. Gene gave me my first football gig and Gino was the athletic director when I got the head job and Tom was one of several presidents that supported us. Whether it be recruiting or support, the various people that race through my mind--- it's just incredible."

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an athletics director who, over the course of his/her career, has made an exemplary contribution to Division II athletics and the student-athlete experience. Contributions include, but are not limited to, serving on NCAA committees, involvement in conference and/or Division II initiatives, NACDA, D2 ADA, sport program development and success, commitment to gender equity and minority opportunities, commitment to rules compliance, the overall leadership of her/his program, and the commitment to the Division II philosophy.