Kansas City, Mo. - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Interim Director of Athletics Kim Blum has been selected the 2013-14 National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) Administrator of the Year for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.  The Administrator of the Year Award, sponsored by Jostens, is presented to NACWAA members for significant contributions made as an administrator of intercollegiate athletics.  

The award, recognizing administrative excellence, is presented annually to members in each NCAA division (Division I, Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics/National Junior College Athletic Association or Conference/Organization).

The 2013-14 awards will be presented at the NACWAA National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky October 12-14.  The NACWAA is the premier leadership organization that empowers, develops, assists, celebrates, affirms, involves and honors women working in all fields of intercollegiate athletics.  NACWAA takes a pro-active role in advancing women into positions of influence and powerfully shapes the landscape of women leaders.  For more information about the NACWAA, click here.

"The NACWAA is pleased to celebrate and honor these extraordinary women who are champions for their student-athletes, colleagues, institutions and conferences," said Grace Calhoun, NACWAA awards committee chair, board of directors member and athletic director at the University of Pennsylvania.  "Their commitment to student-athletes, their institutions and the advancement of women in our profession is inspiring and truly remarkable.  We look forward to honoring these women for their outstanding service and leadership in Louisville."
Blum, in her 11th year at UW-L, was selected as UW-L's Interim Director of Athletics June 18 after serving as Deputy Director of Athletics in 2013-14.  Prior to being named Deputy Director of Athletics, she was UW-L's Associate Athletic Director for nine years.  

"I am so happy to see Kim receiving national recognition for the tremendous leadership and vision she has provided to the athletic program at UW-L for the last 10 years," said former UW-L Director of Athletics Josh Whitman.  "The award, which highlights the top female administrator in all of Division III athletics, is a testament to Kim's work ethic, her creativity, and her commitment to providing a championship-caliber experience to all of UW-L's student-athletes in every phase of their time on campus -- academically, athletically, and socially."  

As Deputy Director, Blum was involved in all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics program, including strategic planning, personnel, facilities, and resource development.  Her primary duties include managing the athletic program's business operations and budget, which this year will approach $3 million from more than 80 accounts, and serving as the program's chief compliance officer, responsible for certifying student-athlete eligibility and monitoring compliance with the NCAA and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) rules and regulations. 

In addition, Blum is the staff liaison to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and served as Meet Director in leading the university's efforts to host the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships (in 2011 and 2012) and the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships (in 2013). 

Blum directly oversaw the sport programs in men's basketball, men's and women's track and field, men's and women's cross country, gymnastics, softball, and men's and women's tennis in 2013-14. 

She serves on the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Executive Committee and was selected the 2013-14 Division III West Region Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W).  The NACGC/W is the national coaches association for all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women's Gymnastics Coaches in Division I, II and III.  Each year the membership votes for regional head coach, assistant coach, gymnast and administrator of the year awards.  

"The past list of recipients is a who's-who of Division III athletics and is filled almost exclusively with sitting athletic directors; for Kim to add her name to such esteemed company is a great honor," said Whitman, who was named Washington University's (Mo.) Director of Athletics June 4.  "This is a wonderful springboard for Kim as she begins her extended term as the interim director.  I can think of no more deserving person," added Whitman.

Blum served as the women's track & field head coach and associate athletic director at Winona (Minn.) State University for seven years prior to coming to UW-L.  She earned her bachelor's (recreation management) and master's (sport administration) degrees from UW-L and served as an administrative graduate assistant in intercollegiate athletics at UW-L for two years.  Blum graduated from Tomahawk (Wis.) High School.

Along with her coaching duties at Winona State, Blum has served as an assistant track & field coach at Whitnall (Wis.), Sparta (Wis.) and Onalaska (Wis.) High School.  She worked as the assistant coordinator of intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports at Marquette University (Wis.) for two years.