Roderick Stubbs named NJCAA Athletic Director of the Year
Roderick Stubbs, athletic director and head men's basketball coach, has been named the 2026 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Athletic Director of the Year.
The award is presented to an NJCAA Athletic Director who best exemplifies the overall purpose of leading their institution, athletic department, student-athletes, and community through positive initiatives and contributions.
Stubbs began his career at Oxford College of Emory University in 2005 as the fourth head coach in Oxford basketball history. He was named the athletic director in June 2013.
During his time as athletic director, Stubbs has transformed the student-athlete experience by intentionally centering holistic development. Under his leadership, student-athletes consistently achieve academic success while competing at a high level, demonstrating his commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
For thirteen consecutive years, every varsity team earned an average GPA above 3.0. Beyond academics, Stubbs cultivates environments where athletes grow as leaders, teammates, and campus contributors. His mentoring approach emphasizes character, resilience, and accountability, equipping students with lifelong skills that extend well beyond athletics.
Teams have captured 20 national championships in men's and women's tennis, women's golf, and women's cross country during Stubbs' time as athletic director. In addition to competitive success, the program expanded significantly during his leadership, doubling the number of sports offerings and creating new opportunities for student participation, recruitment, and institutional visibility. This growth reflects Stubbs' strategic vision and his ability to build sustainable, high-performing programs.
Additionally, the program has 492 NJCAA Academic All-Americans and 241 NJCAA All-American recipients overall, with most coming during Stubbs' tenure.
Not only is Stubbs active in the campus community, but he is also very involved in the outside community. He is deeply committed to connecting the college with surrounding communities. He oversees youth camps, athletic clinics, and summer programming that invite local families onto campus and foster positive relationships between the institution and neighboring cities. Stubbs regularly opens athletic events to community members and promotes athletics as a shared civic space.
Some of the awards he has won during his time as athletic director include the Emory University Award of Distinction in special recognition for outstanding service and contribution, the Most Outstanding Men of Newton County for his service to the county and his mentorship, and the Emory Oxford College Outstanding Staff Award.
"Rod leads with calm confidence, integrity, and a focus on student development," said Dr. Amanda Yu-Nguyen, director of the Center for Healthful Living. "He does not seek recognition, yet his impact is visible in every thriving team, every confident student athlete, and every successful season."