TAMPA, Fla. — Keiser University Director of Athletics Kris Swogger has been named the 2025-26 Sun Conference Athletic Director of the Year, as voted on by his peers across the league. This marks his fourth time receiving the honor, having previously earned the award in 2024-25, 2022-23, and 2016-17.

Under Swogger's leadership, Keiser continued its position as one of the NAIA's premier athletic departments during the 2025-26 academic year. The Seahawks captured their second consecutive Sun Conference Commissioner's Cup and sixth overall, compiling the league's highest point total across men's and women's competition.

Keiser's success was fueled by conference championships across multiple sports, including football, men's soccer, men's golf, men's tennis, men's basketball, women's lacrosse, women's tennis, softball, and others that contributed to the program's all-sports title. The Seahawks also maintained their dominance on the national stage, claiming five NAIA National Championships in women's soccer, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, men's lacrosse, and women's tennis.

In addition to its national titles, Keiser finished as the NAIA Football National Runner-Up and posted deep postseason runs across numerous sports. The Seahawks accumulated 918.00 points in the final NAIA Learfield Directors' Cup standings, finishing among the nation's top five programs for the ninth consecutive year despite six qualifying sport scores not counting toward the final total due to Directors' Cup scoring limitations.

In total, the Seahawks collected 202 All-Sun Conference honors and 163 Academic All-Sun Conference selections.
“I’m honored to receive this recognition, but this award is really a reflection of our entire Keiser Athletics family,” noted Swogger. “Our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and university leadership all play a vital role in our success, and I’m grateful for their dedication and support. I’m fortunate to work alongside such an incredible team, and this recognition highlights the collective effort and commitment of everyone in our department.”

Beyond Keiser's departmental success, Swogger currently serves on The Sun Conference Council of Athletic Directors Executive Committee and represents the league on the NAIA National Administrative Council, where he is a member of the Championship Competition Committee.
 
“Kris Swogger is a steady, respected leader who keeps student-athletes at the center of everything he does,” commented Sun Conference Commissioner Dustin Wilke. “His relentlessness, vision, and commitment to excellence have strengthened both his department and The Sun Conference. We are proud to recognize Kris as our Athletic Director of the Year.”

Swogger now advances to the national ballot for the NAIA Athletic Director of the Year Award, which will be announced on September 15.
 
ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now in its 36th year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 24 NAIA sports. Learn more at thesunconference.com