KANSAS CITY, Mo. – UW-River Falls Athletic Director Crystal Lanning has been named a 2026 Nike Executive of the Year Award recipient by Women Leaders in Sports.
The Nike Executive of the Year Awards recognize five senior-level executives for their contributions within each NCAA division and the broader sports industry. Honorees demonstrate leadership and vision while promoting excellence, professional development, diversity, and gender equity in sports.
Lanning will be recognized during the 2026 Women Leaders in Sports National Convention, held October 12-14 in Chicago.
"The experiences I have had with Women Leaders have been transformational in shaping my path and empowering me to pursue my career goals with clarity and confidence," Lanning said. "This recognition is especially meaningful because I know I would not be here without the unwavering support of my family and colleagues."
Lanning's recognition follows a historic 2025-26 season for Falcon Athletics, highlighted by multiple NCAA Division III national championships and postseason appearances.
Under her leadership, football captured the first national championship in program history with a 24-14 Stagg Bowl victory over North Central, finishing 14-1 after winning its first outright WIAC title since 1985. Women's hockey earned their third consecutive national championship with a 4-0 victory over Nazareth at Hunt Arena, becoming just the third Division III women's hockey program to win three straight titles.
Jacob Balcome won his second consecutive NCAA indoor heptathlon championship with a championship-record 5,487 points before finishing as the national runner-up in the outdoor decathlon. Annika Gunderson and Lauryn Schutz both also earned outdoor All-America honors.
Football's Kaleb Blaha received the Gagliardi Trophy as the nation's most outstanding NCAA Division III football player, while women's hockey standout Megan Goodreau was named the Laura Hurd Award recipient as the Division III Women's Player of the Year. Football, women's hockey, women's lacrosse and women's soccer also earned coaching staff of the year honors, while several Falcons received WIAC player of the year recognition.
Lanning's Nike Executive of the Year Award recognizes her guidance and commitment to creating an environment in which Falcon student-athletes, coaches and staff can thrive.
