Morgan stepping up to NAIA athletics directors leadership role
JOURNAL SPORTS
He’s not moving on, just moving up.
LSU Shreveport’s Lucas Morgan is taking over as the NAIA Athletics Directors Association president for the 2026-27 membership year, the organization announced Wednesday from its suburban Cleveland headquarters.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the next President of the NAIA-ADA,” said Morgan. “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my colleagues and I’m inspired by the dedication of the leaders before me who have helped advance both the NAIA and NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics).
“As we move forward, I am committed to leading through service by listening, collaborating, and supporting our NAIA-ADA members as they navigate the evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics. This is also a tremendous opportunity to build on our strong foundation, as we continue to strengthen our profession, develop future leaders, and champion the values that make the NAIA unique.”
Morgan takes the reins from Dr. Jesse Godding, director of athletics at Nelson University, who will transition to Immediate past president.
Since arriving as AD in 2016, Morgan has led LSUS into a national powerhouse across multiple sports, fostering a culture rooted in competitive excellence, academic achievement, and student-athlete development.
LSUS secured its first-ever national championship in record-setting fashion in 2025, with the baseball program capturing national attention by completing a perfect 59-0 season. The team also became the first NAIA school to receive an invitation and be recognized by the President of the United States at the White House.
The Pilots have amassed 42 Red River Athletic Conference championships, 37 national tournament appearances, and nine NAIA Opening Round titles during his tenure. Beyond the scoreboard, LSUS student-athletes have excelled academically, with the department’s overall grade point average improving each year and nearly 65 percent of athletes maintaining GPAs above 3.0.
He has been an influential voice within the NAIA governance structure since 2018. He currently contributes to key bodies such as the NAIA National Administrative Council, Competitive Experience Committee, Championship Competition Committee, and the Minority Opportunities Athletics Association. He also plays an integral role on the NAIA Men’s Soccer Executive Committee and National Selection Committee.
Morgan was selected as a national Athletic Director of the Year by NACDA in 2024–25 and is a four-time RRAC Athletic Director of the Year (2018–19, 2022–23, 2024–25, 2025-26). LSUS was honored as an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution and captured its first RRAC All-Sports Trophy in 2020–21, marking the department as the conference’s top overall program.
In 2025-26, Morgan fostered one of the most successful athletic years in school history as LSUS captured conference championships in five of its six sports programs. Four of the university’s six teams advanced to NAIA national tournament competition, with two programs reaching their respective national championship final sites.
In addition to competitive success, LSUS elevated its national profile by serving as host for NAIA postseason events in men’s soccer, men’s basketball, and baseball. It marked the first time the institution hosted national tournament events in both men’s soccer and men’s basketball, showcasing the growth and visibility of the Pilots’ athletic department under Morgan’s leadership.
He is a former basketball player at Dodge City Community College and Newman University, and a graduate of Wichita State.
Among those serving alongside Morgan will be board of directors member Tyler Unsicker, AD at LSU-Alexandria.