Defiance College’s Athletic Director, Dr. Dick Kaiser, has been named as the 2006-2007 AstroTurf Athletic Director of the Year Division III Central Winner as selected by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Kaiser was one of 29 athletic directors selected over seven different divisions and regions from across the nation by the NACDA and is currently featured in the June 4 edition of Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal.

Kaiser has been at the helm of the Yellow Jackets’ athletic department since 1999 and has 34 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics in his career. Along with his time at Defiance College, Kaiser has also been an athletic director at Olivet College, Western Oregon State College and Willamette University.

“I am truly appreciative of all current and past staff members who I have had the opportunity to work with,” Kaiser stated. “They are the ones who made this possible.”

Kaiser’s impact at the Division III level has been felt far beyond his contributions as a collegiate athletic director. He is currently a member of the NCAA Division III Football Championship Committee and serves as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Director.

Along with being featured in SBJ, Kaiser has been invited to attend the NACDA’s 42nd-annual convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, June 8 where he will be recognized for this honor.