2022 Loyalty Award

Loyalty Award

The Loyalty Award is given to an active athletic director in the NJCAA membership that has worked to uphold the ideals of the organization. Significant to this award is leadership in an athletic program exemplifying excellence both on the field/court and in the classroom. To view a list of past winners, visit: Loyalty Award Past Winners

Darin Monroe - Rock Valley (IL) | Athletic Director, Head Softball Coach

For 11 seasons, Darin Monroe has led the Golden Eagles to distinguished success as the head softball coach, including winning seven straight NJCAA Division III Softball Championships – the first program to do so. Monroe has upheld a reputable image and high standards for the athletic department as well as academic success. 

On the softball diamond, Monroe has coached 33 NFCA All-Americans, 54 All-Region IV honors, 54 All-N4C honors, including seven N4C MVP. Vivi Marquez, current Golden Eagles Co-Head Softball Coach, was named the NFCA National Catcher of the Year in 2013 and 2015. Hannah Long won the award in 2017, Cara Alexander in 2019 and Jenna Green in 2021. Marquez was awarded the NJCAA National Player of the Year in 2015, Olivia Fluehr in 2017, Madason Shaw in 2018, and Kelli Riordan in 2021. Monroe has coached the last seven National Pitcher of the Year recipients with Amanda Blankenship in 2014, Morgan Adolph was the first-ever to win it in back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016, Kelsie Packard in 2017, Breanna Crown in 2018 and 2019, and Ashton Melaas in 2021. 

In the classroom, Monroe has tutored 68 NFCA Academic All-Americans in ten years.  His teams have been recognized by both the NFCA and NJCAA for academic achievement and having a team GPA above 3.0 for the 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. 

Monroe and his staff have been awarded the NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year from 2014-19 and in 2021. Monroe has been awarded the N4C Coach of the Year from 2013-16 and in 2021, NJCAA Region 4 Coach of the Year from 2013-19 and in 2021. Monroe has also been awarded the NJCAA Division III Softball Championship Coach of the Tournament from 2014-19 and in 2021. Within the NJCAA, Monroe serves on the NJCAA Board of Regents as a Region 4 representative and is also a member of the NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Committee. Monroe's commitment to the association and student-athlete success makes him stand out as one of the strongest leaders and mentors.

For all 2022 NJCAA Honors and Annual Award Winners, visit: 2022 NJCAA Award Winners

For all NJCAA Honors, please visit: NJCAA Honors Home