Georgia Gwinnett College’s first Director of Athletics, Dr. Darin S. Wilson, has been named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) 2025 Hall of Fame class. The announcement was made by the NAIA national office as part of its annual awards day on September 15. Wilson will be formally inducted at the 2026 NAIA National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.
Wilson currently holds the position of Vice President for Advancement and Community Engagement at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). He led GGC’s athletics program from 2011 to 2023 as Associate Vice President of Athletics and Director of Athletics.
“This honor is truly special. I am deeply grateful to the student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who, over the past 20-plus years, have worked tirelessly and shared in this journey. I’m also thankful for the presidents who trusted me to lead their athletics departments,” Wilson stated about the NAIA Hall of Fame honor. “The NAIA Hall of Fame is filled with remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping others succeed, and I am humbled to join their ranks. It is a privilege to be forever connected to this distinguished group.”
During his tenure at GGC, Wilson established an athletic department that won 21 national championships and 32 conference titles. The men’s and women’s tennis teams each secured ten national titles under his leadership, while baseball claimed the Avista NAIA World Series title in 2021.
Wilson is one of only two athletic directors recognized twice as NAIA National Athletics Director of the Year (2015-16 and 2010-11). He also received multiple regional honors from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
GGC President Dr. Jann L. Joseph stated, “It was my great pleasure and honor to nominate Dr. Darin Wilson for induction as a distinguished member of the 2025 NAIA Hall of Fame class. I have witnessed firsthand Dr. Wilson’s transformative leadership and the profound, positive impact he has made on our athletics program, students, institution, and broader community.”
Wilson mentored staff members across six intercollegiate teams in academic and athletic development while emphasizing core values such as service, responsibility, leadership, sportsmanship, and pursuit of excellence.
Executive Athletics Director Dr. Ian Potter commented on Wilson’s influence: “Dr. Darin Wilson is well-deserved for this NAIA Hall of Fame induction. His vision and leadership set the standard for excellence and has left a legacy at GGC and within NAIA college athletics. I’m especially grateful for his mentorship and guidance in my career. It has been a true reflection of the countless lives he has positively impacted throughout his journey.”
Wilson contributed to national collegiate organizations by serving on both the NAIA’s National Administrative Council and Athletic Directors Association Executive Committee as well as participating in Continental Athletic Conference governance.
Before joining GGC, he served as Athletic Director at Union College in Kentucky after five years coaching baseball there.
Under his direction at GGC, athletic teams achieved nearly a 78 percent win rate with more than 1,500 victories over eleven seasons; three teams won national championships during the 2020-21 season alone; additionally producing over one hundred All-Americans academically or athletically.
He played a key role in bringing postseason championship events to campus across several sports including soccer, tennis softball—and oversaw construction projects such as Grizzly Athletics Complex ($15 million), which includes multiple sport facilities plus support amenities like locker rooms offices training areas hospitality suites—and academic resources.
In an executive capacity beyond athletics administration—he helped organize construction/operation for GGC’s Convocation Center: a facility with wellness space meeting rooms arena seating up-to-3–500 people now set host basketball games starting next season alongside commencement ceremonies already held there.
Wilson earned undergraduate/graduate degrees from Union College along with a doctorate from Capella University.
