WAXAHACHIE, Texas – Dr. Jesse Godding, Southwestern Assemblies of God University Director of Athletics, was recently chosen by his peers as the 2021-2022 Sooner Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year.
The SAC-ADOY recognizes an outstanding conference athletics administrator for their dedication and helpful contributions to student-athletes, conference institutions, and the NAIA.
As SAGU Director of Athletics, Godding oversees 15 varsity sports, with Esports joining the sport offering lineup in the coming year. Godding has served SAGU since 2002, when he became the head football coach. In 2011, Godding added the duties of athletic director at SAGU. This is the third SAC-ADOY award for Godding in his 10-year tenure as SAGU Director of Athletics.
"Winning this award is incredibly humbling," said Godding. "The Sooner Athletic Conference possesses amazing leaders at each of the respective institutions. Being chosen by those individuals, who do so much on their campuses and for the conference is truly an honor."
Institutionally, Godding serves as a faculty member and member of the Admissions Committee and Faculty Council in addition to his athletic director duties. At the conference level, he is part of the SAC Executive Committee and SAC Football AD Liaison. At the NAIA national level, Godding is the SAC representative to the NAIA-Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors, and the National Administrative Committee (NAC). Godding is a member of the NAIA Transfer Task Force, the NAIA Return On Athletics Advisory Board, and serves as NAC AD Liaison to the NAIA-AFCA Football Coaches Association. As the NAC AD Liaison, Godding has served as the NAIA Football National Selection Committee Chair.
In 2021-22, SAGU Athletics achieved multiple milestones as a department. Southwestern Assemblies of God finished with the best season in its football program history with a 9-3 record and winning the NCCAA Victory Bowl. SAGU won the SAC volleyball tournament and qualified for its first appearance in the NAIA Championships. The Lions produced the most wins in school history in baseball and softball with softball winning the NCCAA National Softball Tournament. The Lions won the SAC men's basketball tournament and an NAIA Championship Opening Round.
Off the field, the 2021-22 academic year produced 52 NAIA and SAC Scholar-Athletes, six SAC Scholar-Teams, 107 Academic All-SAC Award winners, and 173 SAC Honor Roll Award recipients. SAGU Athletics continued to develop facilities, opening a remodeled men's soccer locker room, an indoor batting cage facility, an Esports arena, and broke ground on a track/turf and lights complex as well as a 200,000-square foot practice and field event area.
Sooner Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year
Past Honorees |
| Year |
Name |
School |
| 2021-22 |
Dr. Jesse Godding |
SW Assemblies of God |
| 2020-21 |
Dr. Jesse Godding |
SW Assemblies of God |
| 2019-20 |
Robyn Daugherty |
John Brown |
| 2018-19 |
Jim Abbott |
Oklahoma City |
| 2017-18 |
Rick Cooper |
Wayland Baptist |
| 2016-17 |
Jim Abbott |
Oklahoma City |
| 2015-16 |
Jim Abbott |
Oklahoma City |
| 2014-15 |
Dr. Jesse Godding |
SW Assemblies of God |
| 2013-14 |
Jim Abbott |
Oklahoma City |
| 2012-13 |
Robert Davenport |
Oklahoma Baptist |
| 2011-12 |
Greg Feris |
Wayland Baptist |
| 2010-11 |
Robyn Daugherty |
John Brown |
| 2008-09 |
Jim Abbott |
Oklahoma City |
| 2007-08 |
Jim Abbott |
Oklahoma City |