Livonia, Mich. – Madonna University Director of Athletics Bryan Rizzo was named the 2008 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) AD of the Year in a vote of the eight member institution AD's.  It marks the second time Rizzo has been honored by the league. 

The announcement was made at the annual summer meeting of conference directors held at Indiana Institute of Technology.

Rizzo, who was also honored in the same capacity in 2004, is in his sixth year at the helm of the Crusader program.  He was also named the 2005 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Region VIII AD of the Year and 2005 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) General Sport Turf Central Region AD of the Year.

Under Rizzo's guidance, the 2007-08 year saw MU win four regular season conference titles, three WHAC tournament titles and a pair of teams advance to their respective NAIA National Tournaments (men's soccer, volleyball).  MU finished just one-and-a-half points shy of winning their second conference all-sports title.

"I really believe in the mission of Madonna University and feel that athletics has its own unique way to carry out that mission" states Rizzo. "I feel we have an unbelievable staff that exhibits dedication, commitment to excellence and a desire to do things ethically. That, to me, is what this job is all about. I'm humbled to be a part of Madonna Athletics and my goal is to make our department the best it can be."

Rizzo was appointed to his current post in July of 2002 but has been a longtime member of the Crusader athletic family. Previously, Rizzo served as Madonna's Assistant Athletic Director as well as its first ever Sports Information Director, from October 1994 through June of 2002.

During his time at Madonna Rizzo has also been involved in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) as well as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Rizzo assisted in Madonna's admission to the WHAC in 1997. Since then he has served as the conference Media Relations Director for several years and more recently has been President of the WHAC for the past four years.

Rizzo has also assisted both Madonna and the WHAC in the NAIA, serving as the NAIA Region VIII Media Relations Director as well as a member of the Region VIII Management Committee. Rizzo has assisted the NAIA in reviewing new members, including Marygrove College and Holy Cross College.

Since taking over as Director of Athletics, Rizzo has put an emphasis on improving facilities, academics, sportsmanship and staffing. Aided by tremendous institutional support the Crusaders have seen steady progress in these areas.

Over the last six years the facility upgrades have included a new baseball field, new scoreboards for both the baseball and softball fields as well as the gymnasium. Also, new bleachers have been installed in the gymnasium as well as new hard floor, new championship banners and a new paint job. The weight room has seen slow progress as well.

Academically, Madonna student-athletes have maintained a cumulative grade point average above 3.00 in each semester Rizzo has served as Athletic Director. Coupled with that, Madonna has instituted the NAIA Champions of Character Program and is recognized as a Program Center. This program is designed to teach character through sport, a goal Rizzo embraces.

Finally, Madonna has added four sports over the past six years as well as several new staff positions including three head coaches an assistant athletic director and a second full-time athletic trainer.