GCPS Regional Athletic Directors receive honors from Georgia Athletic Directors Association

     Three Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Athletic Directors have been named Region Athletic Directors of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA). Those honored include:

• Dr. Sam Nichols, Archer High School (Region 4‑AAAAAA)
• Daniel Garrett, Dacula High School (Region 8‑AAAAAA)
• Chris Hall, Duluth High School (Region 7‑AAAAAA)

     The honorees were recognized during the 2026 GADA Annual Conference. Each award recipient was selected from among colleagues across Georgia’s 64 regions and seven classifications—an acknowledgment of exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication to supporting students beyond daily responsibilities.

     “We are extremely proud of our three Region Athletic Directors who were honored by the GADA,” says GCPS Director of Athletics Jason Holcombe. “Their leadership, integrity, and commitment to serving our student-athletes exemplify the very best of GCPS athletics, and this recognition is a testament to their outstanding work.”

     The GADA provides leadership, workshops, and training experiences to more than 200 Athletic Director members across the state. The organization is committed to supporting Georgia’s athletic directors by providing training and service opportunities while introducing the philosophy of educational athletics that focuses on the role of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association (NIAAA), the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA). The GADA supports Georgia’s athletic directors and coaches in their essential efforts to develop student-athletes both in and out of the classroom, encouraging them to become productive and successful members of society.