2021 NJCAA Athletic Director of the Year
NJCAA Athletic Director of the Year
The NJCAA Athletic Director of the Year is awarded to an NJCAA Athletic Director who best exemplifies the overall purpose of leading their institution, athletic department, student-athletes, and community through positive initiatives and contributions.
Created in the spring of 2020, the NJCAA Athletic Director of the Year is part of the NJCAA Annual Awards that honor three distinct categories across the association - Athletic Director of the Year, Sports Information Director of the Year, and Athletic Trainer of the Year. These awards represent individuals who strive to create the optimal student-athlete experience on their campus while also performing duties that go far beyond the institutional level. To view past winners, visit: NJCAA Annual Award Past Winners
Barrett "BJ" McGinn | Des Moines Area Community College (IA) | Director of Athletics
BJ McGinn has served as the Director of Athletics at Des Moines Area since 2016. During his tenure, McGinn has been responsible for numerous improvements to the Bears' athletic facilities including the recent addition of a brand new athletic facility complete with an indoor training facility, golf facility, athletic training facility, and weight room. The completion of this facility has enhanced the overall student-athlete experience at Des Moines Area while providing an opportunity to host camps, clinics, and other events on the DMACC Boone campus.
During the 2020-21 academic year, the Bears had two teams qualify for NJCAA Division II National Tournaments. Des Moines Area's softball team earned a No. 4 seed in the championship tournament held in Oxford, AL in May 2020. The Bears' men's basketball team won the 2021 NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship title in April.
In addition to ensuring eligibility standards are met for the Bears' nine athletic teams, McGinn has been instrumental in successfully completing many projects at Des Moines Area including implementing a new website through PrestoSports-www.dmaccbears.com, re-surfacing the gymnasium floor, remodeling the varsity women's locker room, hosting the first-ever Fall DMACC Athletics Banquet, and adding the sport of men's cross country.
McGinn started at Des Moines Area in 2006 as an assistant men's basketball coach for the Hall of Fame Coach Orv Salmon. In the summer of 2009, McGinn was elevated to head men's basketball coach as Salmon assumed full-time Director of Athletics duties. Over a nine-year span, McGinn's basketball teams posted an overall record of 191-95 for a .670 winning percentage.
For all 2021 NJCAA Honors and Annual Award Winners, visit: 2021 NJCAA Award Winners
For all NJCAA Honors, please visit: NJCAA Honors Home