Milligan's Pope Named 2024-25 AAC Athletic Director of the Year

WALESKA, Ga. - Christian Pope of Milligan is the 2024-25 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Athletic Director of the Year, the league announced Thursday.

The award was voted on and selected by the athletic directors of the AAC.

Serving as the Buffaloes' Athletic Director since July of 2021, Pope helped guide Reinhardt to great success during the 2024-25 academic year. Milligan won the 2024-25 Duard Walker All-Sports Trophy and the Women's Sports Trophy. Milligan collected a total of nine AAC championships. Nationally, Milligan collected six individual national championships and had numerous strong team finishes in NAIA National Championships, highlighted by a national runner-up showing in men's cross country. Milligan placed seventh in the NAIA Learfield Directors' Cup Standings.

Pope represents the AAC on the NAIA-ADA Board and serves as a member of the AAC Advisory Committee.

This is the second time Pope has received this award.