IRVING, Texas (Dec. 17, 2020) - The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today Jack Swarbrick, the University of Notre Dame Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics, as the 2020 recipient of the NFF John L. Toner Award.
“Jack Swarbrick has established himself as one of the top athletics administrators in the country today with a relentless commitment to excellence and ensuring the student-athletes at Notre Dame have an educational experience that is second to none,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “Under his leadership, the traditions at Notre Dame have thrived, and he has brought a strategic focus, which has allowed the Fighting Irish to remain a powerhouse in every aspect of the college experience for the school’s student-athletes in South Bend.
“Jack Swarbrick’s exceptional leadership abilities have never been more evident than during the pandemic, and he has been one of the leaders who has worked tirelessly to provide the student-athletes in South Bend and nationwide an opportunity to play this season while ensuring their health and safety.”
Presented annually by the NFF since 1997, the John L. Toner Award recognizes athletics directors who have demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding dedication to college athletics and particularly college football. The award is named in honor of its inaugural recipient, the late John L. Toner who was a former athletics director and football coach at Connecticut. Toner, an NCAA President from 1983-85, joined the NFF Board in 1988 and served as the vice chairman from 2000-2008.
"It is a great honor for me and Notre Dame Athletics to be recognized with the National Football Foundation's John L. Toner Award,” said Swarbrick. “I am humbled to be added to such a distinguished list of prior recipients, including many athletic directors who I have counted among my mentors and close friends over the years. I especially appreciate that this year's award recognizes the hard work that our staff at Notre Dame put in to ensure that our student-athletes had the opportunity to pursue their athletic dreams during a year in which so many thought that would not be possible."
A magna cum laude graduate from Notre Dame in 1976, Swarbrick earned his law degree from Stanford in 1980 and practiced law for the next 28 years before becoming the head of the athletics department in South Bend in 2008. His tenure has seen a major $400 million renovation of Notre Dame Stadium; the hosting of major events on campus to generate revenue for the school and community; the construction of the $50 million Compton Family Ice Arena; an extension of the university’s relationship with NBC Sports through the 2025 football season; a partnership with student-athletes to advance social justice issues on campus and nationally; and a long-list of additional accomplishments that have touched every aspect of the student-athlete experience at Notre Dame.
“Jack Swarbrick has established himself as one of the top athletics administrators in the country today with a relentless commitment to excellence and ensuring the student-athletes at Notre Dame have an educational experience that is second to none,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “Under his leadership, the traditions at Notre Dame have thrived, and he has brought a strategic focus, which has allowed the Fighting Irish to remain a powerhouse in every aspect of the college experience for the school’s student-athletes in South Bend.
“Jack Swarbrick’s exceptional leadership abilities have never been more evident than during the pandemic, and he has been one of the leaders who has worked tirelessly to provide the student-athletes in South Bend and nationwide an opportunity to play this season while ensuring their health and safety.”
Presented annually by the NFF since 1997, the John L. Toner Award recognizes athletics directors who have demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding dedication to college athletics and particularly college football. The award is named in honor of its inaugural recipient, the late John L. Toner who was a former athletics director and football coach at Connecticut. Toner, an NCAA President from 1983-85, joined the NFF Board in 1988 and served as the vice chairman from 2000-2008.
"It is a great honor for me and Notre Dame Athletics to be recognized with the National Football Foundation's John L. Toner Award,” said Swarbrick. “I am humbled to be added to such a distinguished list of prior recipients, including many athletic directors who I have counted among my mentors and close friends over the years. I especially appreciate that this year's award recognizes the hard work that our staff at Notre Dame put in to ensure that our student-athletes had the opportunity to pursue their athletic dreams during a year in which so many thought that would not be possible."
A magna cum laude graduate from Notre Dame in 1976, Swarbrick earned his law degree from Stanford in 1980 and practiced law for the next 28 years before becoming the head of the athletics department in South Bend in 2008. His tenure has seen a major $400 million renovation of Notre Dame Stadium; the hosting of major events on campus to generate revenue for the school and community; the construction of the $50 million Compton Family Ice Arena; an extension of the university’s relationship with NBC Sports through the 2025 football season; a partnership with student-athletes to advance social justice issues on campus and nationally; and a long-list of additional accomplishments that have touched every aspect of the student-athlete experience at Notre Dame.
