The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on Tuesday its 2026 National Awards Day winners. Keiser University's
Kris Swogger was named the 2025-26 NAIA Athletic Director of the Year.
A four-time Sun Conference Athletic Director of the Year (2025-26, 2024-25, 2022-23, and 2016-17), Swogger led the Seahawks to their sixth Sun Conference Commissioner's Cup while finishing third in the Learfield Cup Standings. Keiser claimed a school-record five National Championships (Women's Soccer, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, and Men's Lacrosse), earned 10 conference tournament championships and six regular season titles, had 214 all-conference athletes, 155 NAIA All-Americans, and 15 teams ranked in the final NAIA Top 25 polls. Academically, the Seahawks boasted 18 NAIA Scholar Teams, had 192 conference all-academic honorees, 152 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, as well as 52 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District award winners and 19 CSC Academic All-Americans. The Seahawks recorded a program-best overall GPA of 3.27 (the fifth straight year in which Keiser's numbers have increased).
Since becoming Director of Athletics in 2016,
Kris Swogger has led Keiser University (Fla.) athletics to unprecedented success, including 26 of the University's 31 all-time NAIA National Championships. During that time the athletic department has grown from 242 student athletes (fall 2012) to over 800 (fall 2026), and from 11 NAIA Varsity Sports to 27 NAIA Varsity sports offered.
Kris' leadership is rooted in integrity, service, and accountability. With Kris' vision, the Seahawks have a culture centered on accountability, student-athlete development, and operational excellence. Kris has created an environment where coaches, administrators, and student-athletes are empowered to pursue excellence in every aspect of the collegiate experience.
As Keiser's director of athletics, Kris has consistently put the greater good of the NAIA ahead of individual institutional interests. Whether serving on conference committees, representing The Sun Conference on the NAIA National Administrative Council, or contributing to national championship administration, Kris approaches every responsibility with professionalism, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to doing what is best for the organization.
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