BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union College Director of Athletics Darin S. Wilson has been named the 2008-09 Appalachian Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year, the league recently announced at its annual spring meeting.

"I am very humbled and honored to receive this honor," said Wilson. "I am very appreciative of the other members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference as well as commissioner John Sullivan for awarding me this honor."

This marks the second year in a row Wilson has received this honor.

The Union Department of Athletics has had a tremendous year in 2008-09. Union placed second in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Duad Walker All-Sports Trophy for the second consecutive year.

Union captured conference regular-season championships in men's golf, men's tennis and women's tennis, while collecting conference tournament titles in men's golf, men's track & field, men's tennis and women's tennis. In addition to all of the conference crowns, Union had nine different programs advance to the NAIA National Championships.

Union also boasted its first NAIA Individual National Champion since 1965 when Johnnie Nabors won the 60 Meter Dash at the 2009 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championship Meet.

"This honor is byproduct of all the hard work of the coaching staff, the athletic training staff, the sports information staff and our administrative assistant Lana Faulkner," Wilson said. "This award would not be possible if it were not for them. Everyone has worked together to help make Union College athletics the best is can be.

"I would also like to thank the administration and (Union) president Edward de Rosset for their support of me and of Union College athletics," he added. "The school as a whole has been very supportive of athletics, and all of the teams' successes are a result of that."

In addition to all the on the field success, Union has had five student-athletes named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes and dozens to the Academic All-Conference Team.

Wilson has been the Director of Athletics at Union since February of 2003.