CLEVELAND – Jim Abbott from Oklahoma City University has been selected for induction into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony is set to take place during the upcoming NACDA convention June 11-14 in Orlando, Fla. Abbott concluded his 19-year tenure of Oklahoma City athletic director in December 2021.
Abbott worked in athletic and higher education administration for the 30 years, including a previous stint at OCU as assistant athletic director from 1991-94.
"I was blessed to work at Oklahoma City University for 24 years and to be surrounded by amazing administrators, coaches and students," said Abbott. "I truly enjoyed going to work every day and being inspired to contribute to something so much bigger than myself. I'm thankful for peer administrators and colleagues around the country that so freely shared their advice and encouraged me to keep learning and growing throughout my career. Most of all, I'm grateful for the support of my wife of 30 years, Annetta, and our children for supporting my passion to work in athletics and enduring the sacrifices that this brings about. I am honored and humbled by this award and keenly aware of and thankful for the multitude of people that contributed to making this possible."
The Stars flourished during Abbott's tenure, capturing 48 team national championships, including at least one team national championship every year. Oklahoma City extended that streak of winning at least one national title per year to 30 years over the weekend by taking the NAIA team performance title in the National Dance Alliance College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla. OCU has captured 73 national championships in all sports.
"As a college student nearing graduation, I had a professor suggest to me that I should pursue a graduate degree in sports administration," Abbott said. "To be honest, I didn't even realize that you could 'work in sports.' That suggestion created an avenue to a career for me that would give me countless opportunities to provide the same impact and advice for college students."
Abbott endeavored to provide a championship experience for Oklahoma City student-athletes athletically, academically and socially.
"The OCU athletics family proudly congratulates Jim Abbott for his induction into the NACDA Hall of Fame," said Corey Bray, current OCU director of athletics. "His tireless and faithful service to OCU student-athletes and his commitment to excellence created the foundation on which we now stand at the Home of Champions. I would personally like to thank Jim for his support during my first year of serving OCU athletics. Jim is a shining Star in our profession and there is no one more deserving of induction into the NACDA Hall of Fame."
In competition, Oklahoma City achieved the LEARFIELD Sports Directors' Cup on three occasions. Throughout Abbott's time as athletic director, the Stars placed in the top 15 of the Directors' Cup rankings every year, a measure of the overall success of the OCU athletic department.
Abbott was recognized twice as the NAIA National Athletic Director of the Year (2008-09, '16-17), three-time Under Armour Central Region Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) (2010, '15 and '18) and been named the Sooner Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year on six occasions, most previously in 2018-19. Abbott gained induction into the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017-18.
In the classroom, OCU student-athletes thrived during Abbott's tenure achieving an annual cumulative grade-point average above a 3.0 each year. In 2020-21, OCU student-athletes achieved their highest combined GPA of the previous 10 years (3.33).
OCU student-athletes and coaches have annually demonstrated a commitment to community service. Among these efforts is the department's annual food drive, an effort that delivered 128,453 non-perishable food items to the community since 2007.
Abbott was a member of the NAIA Membership Committee, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Executive Council, chairman of the NAIA Hall of Fame selection committee, member of the Greater Oklahoma City Sports Consortium, and a board member for Chi Alpha Sigma national student-athlete honor society. Abbott has previously served as president of the NAIA Athletic Directors Association, member of the NAIA Athletic Director's Association Board of Directors, member of the NACDA executive committee and as a member of the NAIA National Administrative Council. Abbott has been a panelist and presenter at numerous NAIA and NACDA conventions.
Abbott oversaw the growth of the OCU athletic department through the implementation of several new sports on campus. OCU has added men's and women's cross country and track & field, volleyball, men's and women's rowing, men's and women's wrestling, competitive cheerleading, competitive pom/dance and STUNT under Abbott's guidance, bringing OCU's athletic offerings to 22 varsity intercollegiate programs. Abbott's tenure saw new facilities and renovations for OCU baseball, soccer and wrestling including the Ann Lacy Softball Stadium, the Devon Boathouse, the Knight Strength and Conditioning Facility and the Jim Wade Athletic Office Suite. Abbott spearheaded efforts of the Champions Club, OCU's athletic booster club, and the department's largest annual fundraising event, the Sports Spectacular dinner and auction.
Since 2012, Abbott has overseen The Business of Small College Athletics (BOSCA) to provide professional development opportunities and consulting to administrators working in small-school athletics departments.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"Very deserving of a man whose handprint was involved in many areas of intercollegiate athletics. Jim was a mentor and someone who was always there to help field a question, give advice or help you find solutions. Jim was a tremendous leader who led by example. He was the first to greet you, the first to offer assistance and the first to congratulate on your success. He has always been one to pass along all he has learned whenever asked. A passionate leader who is a lifelong learner. He is one who left OCU, the Sooner Athletic Conference and the NAIA in a better place than when he started. Congratulations Jim." – Robyn Daugherty, John Brown (Ark.) director of athletics
"Very few individuals are as deserving of NACDA Hall of Fame recognition as Jim Abbott. His numerous accomplishments as an athletic director set him apart from other professionals in the athletic administration arena. Jim has provided insight and wisdom at the conference and national level in the NAIA to the benefit of all involved. I owe a personal debt of gratitude to Jim for the impact he had on my career providing guidance and affording me opportunities to learn and work alongside him. I am certain that my colleagues in the Sooner Athletic Conference, and the NAIA, join me in a heartfelt congratulations to Jim for being chosen for induction into the NACDA Hall of Fame." – Dr. Jesse Godding, Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) athletic director
