Association History
In 1986, Homer Rice was elected President of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). At that time, the 1A Directors was the only major group that had not organized its own professional organization. Homer Rice and a group of 1A Directors met in 1986 and discussed their concern for this situation. The group encouraged Homer to take action and they promised support. The first meeting of the Athletic Directors Association was held in Chicago in 1986. Ninety-seven athletic directors attended the first meeting. They decided on a philosophy that was dedicated to the future success of our student-athletes. That philosophy was to be the high purpose of the association. Because there were no funds, Homer paid for all the telephone calls information sent out, setting up the meeting rooms, providing receptions, etc.
At the first meeting, the group elected Homer as its first President. He held that position for two years. In May, 1988 the 1A Athletic Directors' Association was registered as an official corporation.
A luncheon was arranged during the first year to show gratitude to a former Division 1A Director of Athletics to be honored for his/her contributions to intercollegiate athletics. That person must have claimed distinction, among their accomplishments, as a 1A athletics director. The 1A Directors have aptly named the award as the "Homer Rice Award", in honor of the man who was the unifying force in the early days of the D-1A Athletic Directors Association.