Bowling Green, KY – After helping guide the University of the Cumberlands Athletic Department to their first Mid-South Conference President's Cup since the 2008-09 season and capturing both the men's and women's all-sport trophy, Athletic Director Chris Kraftick has been voted the MSC Athletic Director of the Year.  It marks the second time that Kraftick has earned this distinction, which was announced by conference officials on Thursday. 

"I appreciate this recognition from my colleagues in the Mid-South Conference.  Everything we do at UC is a team effort and our success is in part to the wonderful people in our administration led by Dr. Cockrum & Dr. Young," said Kraftick.  "I absolutely love our administration, coaches, and student-athletes and thank them for their dedication to make Patriots Athletics one of best in the NAIA."

This year, the Patriots recorded six Mid-South Conference championships, three MSC Tournament titles, and had 23 teams advance to their respective national championships.  The UC archery team captured the USA 3D National Championship and the USA Outdoor National Championships, while men's bowling and men's lacrosse reached the national semifinals.  UC tallied 98 NAIA All-American accolades, 264 All-Conference selections, and 100 conference players of the week.  The Patriots notched their third consecutive top-ten finish in the Learfield Cup accumulating 655.50 points. In addition the Patriots shined academically setting a school record with 184 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes and 299 Academic All-Conference selections.

"This is a well deserved honor for Chris! What sets him apart is that he is a coaches' coach," said Head Baseball Coach Brad Shelton. "What he's done to elevate our department has been awesome.  He has unified our administration, staff, faculty, coaches, and student-athletes and works tirelessly with our administration to provide all of our programs the facilities, budgets, and support we need to be successful."

Kraftick has just completed his sixth season at the helm of the Patriots athletic department, guiding UC to unprecedented success.  Under his tenure, Cumberlands has set record numbers in almost every statistical category yielding success both on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.  On the field, UC, has seen 517 NAIA All-Americans, 1,263 All-Conference selections, 42 conference champions and 18 conference tournament titles, with multiple teams posting their highest national ranking in program history during that span.  Academically, the Patriots have seen a surge setting record numbers of Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes and Academic All-Conference selections in each of the past six years, while Cumberlands has also garnered 50 CoSIDA Academic All-America.

"This achievement is a testament to how much time, compassion, and positive energy Chris has displayed in the Cumberlands athletic department.  These characteristics can be seen with his mantra 'OneBigTeam' and is a perfect example of how th best leaders are  present daily and set the standard by being the example," said Assistant Athletic Director B.J. Temple.

Over the past half decade, Cumberlands has made significant strides in upgrading all of their athletic facilities.  Those additions include turf on the football and the soccer/lacrosse field and resurfacing the volleyball and basketball gym as well as the track. Building a softball indoor hitting facility, an archery indoor facility, new on-campus tennis courts, and renovation multiple team locker rooms.  The Patriots have also added Esports and Competitive Dance, which have both found success at the conference level in a short period of time. 

Kraftick is currently serving as a member of the NAIA National Advisory Council, where he is on the NAC Championship Committee.  He is the current Liaison for men's golf.  Prior to that role, Kraftick served on the Mid-South Conference oversight committee for the three years and was the Chair of the MSC Administrative Council for a year.  His efforts helped him be voted the Mid-South Conference AD of the Year in 2019 and it marks the sixth time overall that Cumberlands has garnered Athletic Director of the Year honors.

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