ANNVILLE, Pa. (Conference News) – The Middle Atlantic Conference announced Misericordia University’s Director of Athletics Dave Martin as the 2015 recipient of the Lou Sorrentino Award on Tuesday at the 14th Annual MAC Awards Luncheon at Hood College.

Named for the long-time former Lebanon Valley athletics administrator, the Lou Sorrentino Award is presented to the Middle Atlantic Conference athletics administrator who has had a sustained and influential role in conference and national affairs and embodies the NCAA Division III philosophy.

Sorrentino served Lebanon Valley College as a student-athlete, coach and athletic director for nearly 60 years from 1950 until his passing in November of 2010.

“Since joining the MAC, Dave has been a leader in the MAC on many fronts,” said Ken Andrews, MAC Executive Director. “Besides his contributions to the conference, he has been an exceptional representative for us with the NCAA and ECAC. We are grateful for all he has done, and hope he will continue to exert leadership in the MAC for many years to come.”

Martin is in his 11th year as director of athletics at Misericordia University. Under his leadership, the Cougars have won 26 conference championships and earned 22 NCAA tournament berths.

The women’s soccer team made the school’s first trip to the NCAA Division III semifinals in 2012, and Ashlee Ward won NCAA Division III Indoor and Outdoor high jump national titles in 2014.

During 2014-15 academic year, 10 of the 12 Misericordia programs competing in the Freedom Conference earned berths into their respective Freedom Conference Championship events.

Martin guided Misericordia’s transition to the Middle Atlantic Conference in 2008 and has overseen the addition of football, men’s tennis and women’s golf as a varsity sports offering at Misericordia.

In addition, Misericordia’s athletics facilities have undergone significant upgrades with the addition or improvement of Tambur Field, McGeehan Field, Anderson Field, Mangelsdorf Field and Metz Field House.

As interim head women’s basketball coach, Martin led the Cougars to their first Freedom Conference title and NCAA Division III Tournament appearance during the 2011-12 season.

Martin previously spent 14 seasons as head men’s basketball coach at Misericordia and served as associate athletic director and coordinator of athletic recruiting. He led the Cougars to 11 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) playoff berths and two PAC finals appearances. Martin compiled 178 career wins at Misericordia and was a four-time PAC Coach of the Year.

In addition, he has served as chair of the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Basketball committees, the MAC Operations Committee and served as the treasurer on the ECAC Board of Directors.

A graduate of Wilkes University, Martin earned a master’s degree in education from Misericordia.