Concordia's Lonnie Pries Named WHAC Terry Bocian AD of the Year

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Lonnie Pries of Concordia was voted by his peers as the 2023-24 Terry Bocian Athletics Director of the Year, presented by Kuhn Speciality Flooring. It marks the first such honor for Pries who has served as the Concordia Director of Athletics for 11 seasons. The award is named after former longtime Aquinas athletics director Terry Bocian who was instrumental in the formation of the conference. His nomination is now forwarded to the NAIA for National AD of the Year consideration.

In addition to his duties at Concordia, Pries serves as the AD Chair for the WHAC Administrative Committee. He is also a member of the NAIA Athletic Directors Association and previously served as an AD representative to the Association of Student Athletes for four years. On campus, he is an advisor for multiple student groups including the Student Athlete Leadership Team, Athletes in Action, and the Black Student Union. Pries also helped guide Concordia through challenging institutional times this season and has served as an advocate for both the campus and its student-athletes. 

In addtion to their successes in sport this season, Concordia was also the host of the NAIA Cheer and Dance National Championships. The event took place on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. 

Pries is the first Athletic Director from Concordia to ever win the WHAC AD of the Year award. 

All-Time Terry Bocian AD of the Year winners
2003-04: Bryan Rizzo, Madonna
2004-05: None
2005-06: None
2006-07: Terry Bocian, Aquinas
2007-08: Bryan Rizzo, Madonna
2008-09: Fred Smith, Siena Heights
2009-10: Dave Grubbe, Cornerstone
2010-11: Bryan Rizzo, Madonna
2011-12: Paul Lowden, Davenport
2012-13: Dave Grubbe, Cornerstone
2013-14: Scott Trudeau, Lawrence Tech
2014-15: Martin Neuhoff, Indiana Tech
2015-16: Terry Bocian, Aquinas
2016-17: Matt Beaudry, UM-Dearborn
2017-18: Scott Kennell, Madonna
2018-19: Fred Smith, Siena Heights
2019-20: Debbie Warren, Indiana Tech
2020-21: Janet Eaton, Lourdes
2021-22: Chris Adams, UNOH
2022-23: Scott Trudeau, Lawrence Tech
2023-24: Lonnie Pries, Concordia