PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) announced today that Rutgers University Deputy Director of Athletics Sarah Baumgartner has been selected as its NCAA Division I FBS Administrator of the Year. She will be honored on October 11 in Kansas City at the association's 2016 Administrator of the Year Luncheon presented by AXA, in conjunction with the annual NACWAA Rally.



"I am absolutely humbled to be honored by an organization that has done so much for so many women throughout collegiate athletics," said Baumgartner. "It is a privilege to be a member of such a talented staff at Rutgers under the leadership of Pat Hobbs. The hard work, dedication and commitment by so many members of our team is what made this recognition possible. I'm so excited to build on our momentum as we continue to create a championship culture within athletics."



Baumgartner, who was officially elevated to her current position by Hobbs on June 14 after previously serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Development Officer, has oversight of the marketing, ticketing and communications departments, with a continued role in development and sport administration.



"Sarah is a skilled administrator and an exceptional relationship builder," said Hobbs. "We are very fortunate to have her leadership and vision to ensure a defined plan for success. We are proud to share in her success as she accepts this much-deserved honor."



Baumgartner was instrumental in developing and executing a fundraising strategy that resulted in record-breaking gifts. "R B1G Build," a comprehensive campaign to raise $100 million for new or upgraded facilities, surpassed the $50 million milestone in just 15 weeks. The contributions included the three largest gifts in Rutgers Athletics history, which combined to exceed $11 million.



Since arriving "On the Banks" in December 2013, Baumgartner also directed a 10-person fundraising team that developed and implemented the comprehensive annual giving program, R FUND. The program has reached record levels of support, including generating all-time highs in annual operating gifts and total donors.



The 2015-16 athletics season was marked by great success, both on the field and in the classroom. Rutgers was one of just two Universities to have its men's and women's soccer, wrestling and men's lacrosse programs all nationally-ranked. RU student-athletes combined to win 16 Big Ten Conference Players of the Year honors and individual championships. In addition, Scarlet Knights earned 17 All-America and 46 All-Big Ten honors.



Rutgers had 228 student-athletes recognized as Academic All-Big Ten, an increase from 196 in 2014-15. RU also boasted 72 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars with cumulative grade point averages of 3.7 or better, an increase from 54 the prior year. In between their athletic and academic achievements, Rutgers student-athletes performed more than 3,500 hours of community service in 2015-16.