Kevin McHugh, the Director of Athletics at The College of New Jersey, was named one of 25 winners of the 2004-05 GeneralSports TURF Systems Athletic Directors of the Year Award as chosen by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). In addition to his AD of the Year honor, McHugh was also named to the NACDA Executive Committee at the organizations national convention as well.

All NACDA-member directors of athletics in the United States, Canada and Mexico who met the criteria were eligible for the award. Among the criteria were service as an AD for a minimum of five academic years; demonstration of commitment to higher education and student-athletes; continuous teamwork, loyalty and excellence; and the ability to inspire individuals or groups to high levels of accomplishments. Additionally, each AD’s institution must have passed a compliance check through its appropriate governing body.

Earlier this year, McHugh was selected to join the NCAA Division III Management Council. He will fill an interim vacancy in 2005, and will then be eligible for reelection for a full four-year term at the end of the one-year appointment.

Now in his 18th year at The College of New Jersey, McHugh serves as the Executive Director for Student Development and Campus Programs. In this role he heads the Department of Athletics comprising the nationally successful 21-sport intercollegiate program as well as the intramurals, club sport and recreation programs along with the Department of Campus Activities, which includes the College's 180+ student organizations.

McHugh, a native of Wharton, NJ, is a 1978 graduate of Columbia University, where he starred four years as a varsity wrestler. He twice served as team captain and was named All-Ivy League on two occasions as a 134-pound grappler. During his collegiate career, he won 75 matches, was named Columbia’s Most Outstanding Wrestler his last two years, and was honored as an All-American by National Mat News. From 1994-97, he served as the chair of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee after serving as a Division III representative on the Wrestling Committee the previous two years. At the 1999 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships, he was inducted into the NWCA Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport. In addition, he is the President-Elect of both the New Jersey Athletic Conference and the Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey.

Also a letterman on Columbia University’s lightweight football team, McHugh went on to graduate study at the University of Massachusetts. While at U. Mass, he served as an assistant coach for the wrestling team and as a junior varsity coach for football

McHugh holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from Columbia. At the University of Massachusetts, he earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Management.