Mount Pleasant, Iowa - Viterbo University Director of Athletics Barry Fried, has been named the 2009-2010 Midwest Collegiate Conference Athletic Director of the Year by his peers in the MCC.

"While it's nice to receive this recognition, the credit really goes to the Viterbo student-athletes, coaches and athletics staff," comments Fried. "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."

The V-Hawks experienced plenty of success on and off the court during the 2009-2010 school year under the direction of Fried. 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 number of student-athletes also drastically increased as the 2009-10 recruiting class included a record 131 new student-athletes. Increase in student-athletes did not compromise the importance of academic success as the V-Hawks had another successful season in the classroom, finishing with a cumulative team GPA of 3.16.

Just as important to Fried as the athletic and academic success is the NAIA Champions of Character initiative. The Champions of Character program is designed to help teach coaches, student-athletes and spectators the role character development plays in athletics, and 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.

Also under the leadership and guidance of Fried, V-Hawk Athletics 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. Viterbo installed brand new scoreboards which included new shot clocks and LED lighting displays in the R.W. Beggs Senior Gymnasium. The V-Hawks also received expanded work out facilities in the Varsity Athletic Center as a racquetball court was converted into a new fitness room. Finally, the Viterbo Outdoor Athletic Complex received a improvements including semi-permanent soccer goals, V-Hawk branded windscreens, and field improvements.