NEW ORLEANS — The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference announced Friday that Xavier University of Louisiana's Jason Horn has been chosen Athletic Director of the Year for 2019-20.
     Horn was selected by his peers.
     Horn in March began his seventh year as XULA's assistant vice president for student affairs/director of athletics and recreation. XULA in 2019-20 won the Thomas Howell Cup, the GCAC's all-sports award, for the fourth consecutive year, and had three NAIA top-10 programs: men's tennis was ranked second, women's tennis third and men's basketball 10th. XULA won six GCAC team championships this season: women's cross country, men's cross country, volleyball regular season and tournament, and men's basketball regular season and tournament.
     "Under the steady and successful leadership of Jason Horn, the Xavier athletics program has reached impressive levels of success across its 11 varsity programs," XULA President Reynold Verret said. "Jason's integrity and talent have empowered our staff, coaches and student-athletes to succeed in competition, in the classroom and in the communities they serve. Jason continues to inspire our program to reach even higher while supporting Xavier's academic mission in creative and impactful ways."
     This is Horn's third GCAC Athletic Director of the Year award in four years. He also was honored in 2018-19 and 2016-17.
     "It is a great and humbling honor to be recognized by my peers," Horn said. "The success of Xavier Athletics is driven by a wonderful staff, dynamic coaches, talented young people and strong support throughout our campus."
     The GCAC award makes Horn eligible for consideration as the NAIA's AD of the Year with other conference recipients. National awards will be announced Sept. 15.