Viterbo University's Barry Fried has been selected by his peers as the 2009-10 Midwest Collegiate Conference Athletic Director of the Year, the MCC announced today.

"While it's nice to receive this recognition, the credit really goes to the Viterbo student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff," Fried said. "I know how much time and effort our staff puts in and I also see the dedication of our student-athletes. It's been fun to see the growth and success of our athletics programs and I share this honor with them."

Under the direction of Fried, V-Hawk teams experienced plenty of success on and off the court during the 2009-2010 school year. Viterbo saw its athletics department grow to 13 sports by adding varsity men's and women's bowling teams, the third straight year the school has increased its number of sport offerings. The 2009-10 school year also included a record recruiting class for the athletic department with 131 new student-athletes. The V-Hawks also had a successful season in the classroom, finishing with a cumulative team GPA of 3.16.

Fried also continued to emphasize Viterbo's participation in the NAIA Champions of Character initiative as Viterbo was once again honored as a NAIA Champions of Character institution. V-Hawk teams sponsored 37 community service projects and hosted 3,349 youth in different camps, leagues and tournaments.

V-Hawk Athletics also raised over $250,000 through sponsorships, booster clubs, golf outings, and youth camps/leagues. These fundraising efforts helped with numerous facility improvements during the past year including new scoreboards in the R.W. Beggs Senior Gymnasium, expanded workout facilities in the Varsity Athletic Center, and improvements in the Viterbo Outdoor Athletic Complex including semi-permanent soccer goals, branded windscreens, and field improvements.