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ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington Deputy Athletic Director for Development and General Manager of Athletics Ira\u00a0Childress\u00a0has been nominated\u00a0for the\u00a0National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) 2025\u201326 Fundraiser of the\u00a0Year\u00a0award. The\u00a0winner will be\u00a0announced in the\u00a0coming months and the\u00a0award will be\u00a0presented in June\u00a0at the\u00a02026 NACDA\u00a0& Affiliates Convention.<\/p>\n
Childress\u00a0joined UT Arlington in August 2023 and has since\u00a0guided UTA Athletics to unprecedented fundraising success. Under his leadership, the\u00a0department launched a revitalized Maverick Club, implemented\u00a0a\u00a0DFW and Texas statewide\u00a0Tours, to\u00a0strengthen\u00a0alumni and donor engagement.\u00a0In addition to leading the\u00a0development staff, Childress\u00a0serves as the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics’\u00a0General Manager, overseeing NIL and revenue\u00a0sharing, and is also the sport administrator for men’s and women’s basketball.<\/p>\n
“Just to be\u00a0nominated for a national award like\u00a0this is truly an honor, and I’m grateful,” said Childress. “The\u00a0success we’re\u00a0having in fundraising speaks to the\u00a0outstanding staff we\u00a0have\u00a0in our athletic department, our on-campus development team\u00a0and most importantly our incredible donors.”<\/p>\n
UTA Athletics is having a historic fundraising year in 2025, breaking numerous school records, including:<\/p>\n
\n\t102%\u00a0increase\u00a0in annual fund contributions
\n\t152%\u00a0growth in major gift fundraising
\n\t280%\u00a0increase\u00a0in total dollars raised
\n\t78%\u00a0increase\u00a0in premium seating
\n\tThe\u00a0most gifts exceeding $25,000\u00a0in program history
\n\tThe\u00a0largest unrestricted gift\u00a0ever received:\u00a0$2 million
\n\tNearly $9 million\u00a0raised over the\u00a0last 18 months
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“Ira has transformed our fundraising in his two years in Arlington,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jon Fagg<\/a>. “I am thrilled that Ira’s ability to connect our donors with their passion is being recognized in this way.”<\/p>\n
\nFOLLOW THE MAVS SOCIALLY
\n— #BuckEm —<\/p>\n
\nFor up-to-date news, photos and videos, follow UTA Athletics online at\u00a0UTAMavs.com<\/a>\u00a0or via several social media accounts on X\u00a0@UTAMavs<\/a>, Instagram\u00a0@UTAMavs<\/a>\u00a0and Facebook\u00a0\/UTAMavs<\/a>.<\/p>\n