DR. CLARENCE NOE ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to an athletic administrator recognized in the community as a leader who maintains athletics as an integral part of the total education program. He/She shall administer an exemplary athletic program making full use of school and community resources and involving as many students as possible. All members of the FIAAA are eligible for this award. There is only one nomination per district per year. If there is more than one nomination from a district, the district director will determine the nominee from that district. Prior to 2010, this award was the Athletic Administrator of the Year Award and was re-named the Dr. Clarence Noe Athletic Administrator of the Year Award in 2010. The Awards and Recognition will narrow the number of selections to not more than three and present that slate to the Executive Board for final determination.
The FIAAA is proud to announce the 2026 recipient of the Dr. Clarence Noe Athletic Administrator of the Year:
Roderick “Rocky” Gillis, CAA
Roderick “Rocky” Gillis has dedicated nearly four decades to education-based athletics and student development in Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), serving with distinction as the district’s County Athletic Director since 2003. A Broward County native, Gillis is a proud 1978 honors graduate of Pompano Beach High School, where his foundation in academics, athletics, and leadership first took shape.
Following high school, Gillis earned an athletic scholarship to Iowa State University, where he was a four-year football letterman from 1978 to 1983. He graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Small Business Management. He later served his country as a United States Army officer, holding the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Armor branch.
Gillis began his career with Broward County Public Schools in 1987 as a teacher and coach at Blanche Ely High School, quickly establishing himself as a respected mentor and leader. In 2003, he made history as the first Black County Athletic Director for BCPS, overseeing one of the largest interscholastic athletic programs in the nation. In this role, he has led efforts in athletic programming, compliance, and student-athlete safety, impacting thousands of students and hundreds of schools.
Throughout his career, Gillis has been recognized as a servant leader, advocate, and problem-solver whose influence extends far beyond administration. He has played a critical role in shaping lives, expanding opportunities, and elevating the role of athletics as an integral part of education. He is a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), reflecting his commitment to the highest standards of professionalism.
His many honors include the National Football Foundation’s Lifetime of Contribution to Amateur Athletics Award (2014–15), induction into the Broward Education Foundation Hall of Fame (2016), the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame (2018), Champs Homefield Wall of Game (2022), and Deerfield Beach High School Wall of Fame (2022). He also served as President of the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAAA) during the 2021–22 term and received the FIAAA Lifetime Membership Award in 2024. Additionally, he was honored with the prestigious James L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition
of his leadership, community impact, and lifelong service.
As he enters retirement, Rocky Gillis leaves a legacy defined by opportunity, equity, and excellence. His impact is evident in the countless student-athletes, coaches, and administrators he has mentored and inspired. Broward County athletics is stronger because of his leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to serving
others.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
Year Awarded / Recipient / Representing / Conference City
1979-80 / Paul Straub / Tampa Jesuit High / Lakeland
1981-82 / Wayne Williamson / Hillsborough County Schools / Lakeland
1982-83 / Chuck Holland / Hillsborough High / Kissimmee
1983-84 / Bob Williams / Colonial High / Orlando
1984-85 / Tom Stoll / St. Stephen’s Episcopal / Ft. Lauderdale
1985-86 / Wayne Taylor / Miami Palmetto Sr. High / Daytona Beach
1986-87 / C.H. McKinnon / Lake Worth High / Tampa
1987-88 / Cooper Means / Orange County Schools / Orlando
1988-89 / Carol Dagostino / Tampa Prep / Marco Island
1989-90 / Bob Hosak / Pinellas County Schools / Tampa
1990-91 / Joan Falsone / Hillsborough County Schools / Ft. Lauderdale
1991-92 / Wally Keller / Charlotte High / Daytona Beach
1992-93 / Bill Blakemore, CAA / Lely High / Tampa
1993-94 / Vernon Korhn / Hillsborough County Schools / Deerfield Beach
1994-95 / Wayne Story, CAA / Miami-Dade County Schools / Boca Raton
1995-96 / Mike Leeds / Ft. Pierce Central High / Grenelefe
1996-97 / Ron Balazs, CAA / Miami Coral Park Sr. High / Clearwater
1997-98 / Don Bridges / Polk County Public Schools / Grenelefe
1998-99 / Tommy St. Amant / Bay County Schools / Clearwater
1999-00 / Donna Blumer, CAA / Dixie Hollins High / Tampa
2000-01 / Ronnie Youngblood / Leon County Schools / Ft. Lauderdale
2001-02 / Cheryl Golden / Miami-Dade County Schools / Naples
2002-03 / Danny Ninestine / Port St. Lucie High / Orlando
2003-04 / Jerry Bourg / University High / Naples
2004-05 / Dave Horner, CAA / Forest High / Orlando
2005-06 / Trish Highland / Orange County Schools / Daytona Beach
2006-07 / George Phelan, CAA / Miami Sunset Senior High School / Orlando
2007-08 / Dan Comeau, CMAA / Treasure Coast High School / Orlando
2008-09 / Michael Colby, CMAA / Hialeah-Miami Lakes SHS/FHSAA / Orlando
2009-10 / Joel Furnari / South Dade Senior High School / Orlando
2010-11 / E. Michael Stutzke, CMAA / Sebastian River High School / Orlando
2011-12 / Andrew Chiles III, CMAA / Lake Nona High School / Orlando
2012-13 / Dianne Sanzari / Coral Springs High School / Orlando
2013-14 / Ricky Bell / Leon County Schools / Orlando
2014-15 / Lanness Robinson, CMAA / Hillsborough County Schools / Orlando
2015-16 / Russell Wambles, CMAA / Dr. Phillips High School / Orlando
2016-17 / Jody Phillips, CAA / Marion County Schools / Orlando
2017-18 / Michael Brown / Winter Park High School / Orlando
2018-19 / Jerry Kelly, CAA / Lake Brantley High School / Orlando
2019-20 / Tammie Talley, CAA / Duval County Public Schools / Orlando (recognized in 2021)
2021-22 / Carlos Ochoa / Hialeah Gardens Senior High School / Orlando
2022-23 / Jay Getty, CAA / Hagerty High School /Kissimmee
2023-24 / Kevin Demer, CAA / William R. Boone HS / Kissimmee
2024-25 / Dan Talbot, CMAA / Polk County AD / Kissimmee
2025-26 / Roderick “Rocky” Gillis, CAA / Broward County Public Schools / Kissimmee