Rick George, the mastermind behind Deion Sanders’ recruitment, has been recognized with a prestigious award following Colorado’s significant growth.
Ever since Deion Sanders assumed leadership of the Colorado Buffaloes in 2022, their popularity and achievements have soared to unprecedented heights. The team has drastically transformed from a struggling unit with an abysmal record of 1-11 to becoming a dominant force within the Pac 12 conference, captivating fans across the globe. This meteoric rise is largely attributed to Coach Prime Sanders’ shrewd recruitment tactics that resulted in over two dozen new players joining the ranks and securing a commendable ranking position by trusted sports analysts at 247Sports.
Standing behind Sanders is Athletic Director Rick George, who has played a crucial role in driving Colorado’s surge. Thanks to his visionary leadership and unwavering support, the program has experienced remarkable transformation. As the Buffaloes bask in their newfound glory, it’s clear that George deserves ultimate recognition for his contributions.
CU’s Rick George becomes the Athletic Director of the Year.
On Wednesday, Rick George was named the recipient of the esteemed Athletic Director of the Year award by The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). This accolade is a tribute to Mr. George’s outstanding efforts in recruiting top-notch athletic talent for Colorado Buffaloes, which has greatly aided Coach Deion Sanders’ acquisition endeavors across America.
The recruitment efforts of George have played a crucial role in boosting the profile and success of the Buffaloes team. His dedication has been acknowledged, as he is among an exclusive group of individuals recognized by NACDA across diverse divisions. The CEO Pat Manak stresses on acknowledging leaders like George for their contribution towards shaping the future of college sports. Being one amongst just seven previous recipients highlights his influence as a pioneering leader at CU; especially since twenty-one other honorees are first-time winners.
At CU, Rick George leaves behind a memorable trail of leadership and innovation.
Rick George returned to the University of Colorado (CU) as athletic director in 2013, marking his second tenure in Boulder. He played a major part in securing the school’s first national championship win in football 23 years earlier. Among George’s early achievements were successfully overseeing expansion efforts for CU’s sports complex and introducing new facilities that included an indoor training center and Champions Center, both much needed additions to upgrade their infrastructure.
George exhibited outstanding leadership skills during his time at CU, skillfully guiding the university through numerous obstacles. These included dealing with a catastrophic 100-year flood and the unprecedented changes in college sports due to the global pandemic. His unwavering commitment and valuable contributions were honored by achievements like being added to the National Football Foundation’s “Team of Excellence” roster for 2019 as well as earning individual awards for spearheading sustainability initiatives within athletics programs.
Hiring Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders as head football coach in 2022 proved to be a game-changing decision for George. It successfully energized Colorado Football, which had been struggling with an 11-1 to 4-8 season record, and created remarkable enthusiasm among fans and media alike.
George’s dedication towards student-athletes is unmistakable through his numerous accolades as CU’s Staff Member of the Year. This highlights his steadfast encouragement and attendance at athletic functions. Furthermore, George’s active participation in NCAA committees and leadership responsibilities underscores this proficiency and impact on Colorado athletics.
