Daugherty Named ACCC Athletics Director of the Year
MONTGOMERY, AL – Calhoun Director of Athletics AJ Daugherty has been named the 2025-26 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Athletics Director of the Year, recognizing his leadership excellence and the unprecedented success of Warhawk Athletics during the past year.
In just his second year leading the department, Daugherty has overseen the most transformative period in Calhoun Athletics' history. Under his leadership, the Warhawks enjoyed one of the most successful competitive years the college has ever seen, highlighted by volleyball capturing the program's first ACCC/NJCAA Region 22 Championship, the first championship at Calhoun in 25 years. The Warhawks followed with an NJCAA District Championship and a victory at the NJCAA National Tournament, marking Calhoun's first national tournament win since 2000.
The department also celebrated two NJCAA All-Americans during the 2025-26 academic year, the first time in a quarter-century that multiple Calhoun student-athletes earned the prestigious national honor in the same year. In addition to volleyball's historic postseason run, three other Warhawk programs qualified for NJCAA National Tournaments, while Calhoun's eSports program produced an individual national runner-up finish. The men's basketball program also reached a historic milestone by producing the first ACCC/NJCAA Region 22 Player of the Year in school history, and softball recorded its highest win total since 2014.
Beyond competitive success, Daugherty has overseen the expansion of Calhoun Athletics with the addition of four new varsity programs, flag football, men's soccer, women's soccer, and cheer, growing the department to nearly 250 student-athletes during his tenure. He has also spearheaded numerous facility improvements, enhanced the department's branding and visibility, and positioned Calhoun Athletics for sustained long-term success.
Daugherty's leadership extends well beyond Calhoun. He currently serves as the ACCC Chair for Division I Softball, the NJCAA Region 22 Men's Director, and was recently appointed to the NJCAA Division I Softball National Committee.
"During his time at Calhoun, AJ has quickly demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unwavering commitment to serving not only the student-athletes at his own institution, but every student-athlete across the Alabama Community College Conference," said ACCC Commissioner Dean Myrick. "His vision, professionalism, and collaborative approach have elevated Calhoun Athletics while strengthening our conference as a whole. AJ is a respected leader among his peers, and this recognition reflects the tremendous impact he has made in a remarkably short period of time."
"This award belongs to the incredible staff and administration I am blessed to work alongside every day," Daugherty commented. "Their dedication to our student athletes is what makes this possible."
The ACCC Athletics Director of the Year award is presented annually to an athletic administrator who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to advancing intercollegiate athletics throughout the conference.