Jim Jarrett Position: Director of Athletics Institution: Old Dominion University

When Jim Jarrett arrived on the campus of Old Dominion (ODU) in the fall of 1967 as a health and physical education professor, he had little idea that his tenure would be counted in decades. During that time span, he has led the program from a well respected NCAA Division II member to a nationally respected Division I power that has captured 25 national championships.

Jarrett began his 36th year as athletics director in 2006, taking over the reigns in 1970 when Bud Metheny stepped down from that position. As one of the youngest athletics directors in the nation at that time, Jarrett quickly began to make a name for himself and ODU. He committed early on to a philosophy of "selective excellence," whereby the department "selected" its competitive sports and committed itself financially, academically and competitively to the sports it felt the University could best excel.

In 1974, Jarrett became the first athletics director in the state of Virginia to award grant-in-aids to women student-athletes. It was a bold move at the time for a young athletics director and equally young University, but one that paid great dividends. Just five years later, in 1979, the Lady Monarchs won the first of three national championships in women's basketball, and led the nation in attendance.

Under his leadership, the department's athletics venues have tripled and are considered state of the art facilities. They include the construction of the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex, the Sailing Center, the Athletics Administration Building and the 8,500 seat Constant Convocation Center.

Currently, Jarrett is overseeing construction of the ODU Soccer Building, an indoor tennis facility and renovations to the Athletics Administration Building, which include a new weight room, training room and academic advising area.

For all his efforts, Jarrett's has been honored many times by national and local groups. Most recently, Jarrett was given Lifetime Achievement awards from NACDA and VaSID. In 2003, he was named the Southeast Regional Athletic Director of the Year by NACDA. Other awards he's received include the Collegiate Director's Award from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and the Norfolk Sports Club Man of the Year. He served as a member of the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee and is a past president of the Colonial Athletic Association and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

An avid golfer and tennis player, Jarrett and his wife Suzie reside in Norfolk.