Ron Wellman Receives 30th Homer Rice Award from the LEAD1 Association

Complete List of Homer Rice Award Recipients

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Ron Wellman, former Director of Athletics Director at Wake Forest University, was selected by the board of the LEAD1 Association to receive the 30th Homer Rice Award. The award was presented at the LEAD1 Association's annual meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

Wellman spent 27 years as Wake Forest University's athletic director (1992-2019) and elevated the Demon Deacon athletics program to unprecedented success both on the field and off. Under Wellman's leadership, Wake Forest won five national championships and 24 Atlantic Coast Conference titles.

Wellman was honored by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal as its College Athletic Director of the year in 2008.

The dean of Atlantic Coast Conference athletics directors and the longest tenured AD nationally among the Power-5 Conferences at the time of his retirement, Wellman played a large role in the shaping of intercollegiate athletics on a regional and national level. He served as chair of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship committee, the NCAA Division I Management Council and chaired the NCAA Baseball Committee.

Among the numerous honors bestowed upon Ron and Linda was the announcement that the Wake Forest Athletics Department had its mailing address changed to 1 Wellman Way. In addition, the road that leads directly to the Sutton Sports Performance Center and Shah Basketball Complex will culminate at Wellman Plaza.

Wellman's service to Wake Forest University and his care and respect for the many student-athletes and coaches that he worked with were recognized by the presentation of the first Ron and Linda Wellman Life Teammate Award. Awarded annually, the award recognizes a male and female student-athlete who best represents the characteristics of being a life teammate.

Wellman's leadership, empathy and strong relationships helped prepare and push Wake Forest Athletics forward through his entire tenure.

Quotes:

Homer Rice Award Recipient, Ron Wellman:
- "Awards like this are always a reflection of the institution and the people in that community that helped someone achieve and create something special. I am extremely appreciative of Tom McMillen and LEAD1 Association for this honor. I'm truly enjoying retirement, but I miss being around our student-athletes, coaches and staff each day. Our Wake Forest community allows us to build relationships that last a lifetime and this award is dedicated to all those people, including my wife Linda and our three children, who helped us achieve so much."
Wake Forest University President, Dr. Nathan Hatch:
- "Ron led Wake Forest Athletics with grace, integrity and a commitment to excellence without pretension. Under his leadership, we experienced the most successful period in the history of Wake Forest Athletics, and this is a well-deserved award. It was an honor to serve alongside a leader at Wake Forest like Ron, and I know he will cherish this honor."
Wake Forest Director of Athletics, John Currie:
- "Ron Wellman's influence and leadership continues to be felt each day at Wake Forest. His lifelong service to student-athletes and lasting impact on our University community is why he is well-deserving of this prestigious honor. As my long-time mentor, he is responsible for everything I have in my professional life – the most important of which is the ethical foundation that has sustained me over the last 27 years. I look forward to a socially distanced celebration for Ron!"
Former Wake Forest Director of Athletics & 2002 Homer Rice Award Recipient, Dr. Gene Hooks:
- "Ron did a really fine job moving Wake Forest forward during his tenure as Athletic Director. He took advantage of the good resources and opportunities to develop an outstanding Athletic Department."
President and Chief Executive Officer of the LEAD1 Association, Tom McMillen:
- "The success of Ron Wellman can be measured both on and off the playing field for Wake Forest University as the longest tenured Athletic Director nationally among Power Five conferences at the time of his retirement and former president of the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association. He was also a visionary leader of the Atlantic Coast Conference, instrumental in leading its growth to five national championships and 24 ACC conference titles. We are honored to acknowledge his legacy as this year's recipient of the Homer Rice Award."

Homer Rice Award & LEAD1 Association:

Awarded annually, the Homer Rice Award is named after the legendary former athletic director at Georgia Tech University, who founded the Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association, the predecessor to the LEAD1 Association. The LEAD1 Association represents the athletics directors, athletic programs and student-athletes of the 130 universities of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The award goes to one who has served as an athletics director for at least 10 years, has made significant and meaningful contributions to intercollegiate athletics and has retired from a LEAD1 Association university for at least one year.
Essential to the mission of the LEAD1 Association are influencing how the rules of college sports are enacted and implemented, advocating for the future of college athletics and providing various services to the members, ranging from professional development to pooled purchasing arrangements. The mission statement of the LEAD1 Association is, "Supporting the athletic directors of America's leading intercollegiate programs in preparing today's students to be tomorrow's leaders." The universities of LEAD1 Association are located in 41 states across America. For more information, please contact Jonathan Yates, Director of Communications & Public Affairs for LEAD1 Association, by email at jonathan@lead1a.com, by phone at 301-807-2523, or visit the website, http://www.lead1association.com.

Wake Forest Athletics

Ron Wellman Receives 30th Homer Rice Award from the LEAD1 Association

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