Tim Jager of Morningside College has been selected as the 2018-19 Hauff Mid-America Sports/Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Athletic Director of the Year.

Tim Jager of Morningside College has been selected as the 2018-19 Hauff Mid-America Sports/Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Athletic Director of the Year.  The award is voted on by the league’s athletic directors.

Jager has been the athletic director at Morningside College for seven years after serving as head wrestling coach for the Mustangs.  Under Jager’s leadership, Morningside won the 2018-19 GPAC All-Sports Trophy.  Morningside has won the GPAC All-Sports Trophy five of the last seven years.  The Mustangs placed eighth in the final 2018-19 NAIA Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings.

In 2011, he was the recipient of the GPAC Coach of Character Award and is the past president of the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Association. He was GPAC Athletic Director of the Year in 2017.

“Tim understands small college athletics and how important athletics are for our institution,” said Morningside College President John Reynders.  “I can honestly say under Tim’s leadership; our athletic program has been the catalyst to create a culture of excellence at Morningside.”

“All of his leadership qualities and characteristics have led Morningside to unprecedented success in the GPAC and the NAIA,” said Dakota Wesleyan Athletic Director Jon Hart.  “Tim continues to set the bar for many of our leaders and colleagues within the GPAC and NAIA.”

“Morningside had an outstanding year, and Tim’s leadership shows throughout the college and in the GPAC and NAIA,” said Corey Westra, GPAC Commissioner.  “With their highest finish in the Learfield Cup, winning the GPAC All-Sports Trophy, and an NAIA national football championship, it was a great year under Tim’s guidance at Morningside.  He is very deserving of this honor.”