Northwestern’s Tony Hoops Named GPAC Athletic Director of the Year

(Sioux City, Iowa) – Tony Hoops of Northwestern College (Iowa) has been named the 2025-26 Hauff Mid-America Sports/Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Athletic Director of the Year. The award is selected by the conference's athletic directors.

Now in his third year as Northwestern's athletic director, Hoops has guided the Red Raiders to significant success in athletics, facilities, and leadership after previously serving as athletic director at his alma mater, Bethel College (Kan.).

Under Hoops' leadership, Northwestern completed the $6.2 million Den Hartog Athletic Complex in 2025. He is also overseeing the $12 million renovation of Korver Field/De Valois Stadium, with construction scheduled to begin in fall 2026, and led fundraising efforts for the new softball turf project that broke ground in summer 2026.

Hoops was recognized as a 2024-25 NACDA Athletic Director of the Year and serves the NAIA as the GPAC representative on the NAIA Athletics Directors Association and as third vice president of its Executive Council.

Northwestern teams captured four GPAC championships and earned 12 NAIA National Championship appearances this past season.  The Red Raiders also hosted the NAIA Women's Volleyball Opening Round and Men's Basketball First/Second Rounds.  The Northwestern women's volleyball team was the NAIA National Runner-Up.  Looking forward, the college will add women's wrestling as a varsity and conference sport next year.

"Any athletic director is ultimately measured by the success of the teams that he or she provides leadership for, and by every measure Tony's first three years at Northwestern have been outstanding," said Northwestern President Greg Christy. "Beyond his professional accomplishments, people value his faith, his devotion to his family, his commitment to Northwestern's mission, his character, work ethic, and his ability to be a team player."

"The GPAC is honored to present this year's award to Tony Hoops," said GPAC Commissioner Corey Westra. "He has made a tremendous impact on our league since arriving at Northwestern. He is a trusted colleague who willingly shares his insight and leadership, and we are proud to recognize him with this award."

As the GPAC recipient, Hoops will be the conference's nominee for the NAIA Athletics Directors Association Athletic Director of the Year award.