8/15/25
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – At the annual NJCAA Region XIX Preseason meetings this week, Lackawanna College Athletic Director Erik Larson was named as the 2024-2025 Ron Case Athletic Director of the Year award winner by the Region XIX committee.
 
"I could not think of a better candidate than Erik Larson," said Troy Tucker, Region XIX Executive Director and Athletic Director at Northampton CC. "Erik has not only elevated Lackawanna College athletics, he has elevated Region 19 through his hard work and dedication as our Assistant Men's Director. Erik is a true professional and leads by example, and it is an honor to present him with this award."
 
The Ron Case Athletic Director of the Year award is given annually to a Region XIX Athletic Director "for their commitment and positive contributions to their campus, the region, and their surrounding communities." The award was started in 2016 to honor former RCSJ Gloucester Athletic Director Ron Case, who helped guide the Roadrunners to unprecedented success, in addition to being a vital member of the region with service as women's director, treasurer, chairing numerous committees, and hosting championships.
 
Larson, who started at Lackawanna College in 2019 as the Assistant Athletic Director before his elevation to AD in February 2021, helped guide the Falcons' collective athletic programs through a very successful period during the 2024-2025 scholastic year. Last year, Lackawanna College athletics hosted the Region XIX DII Women's Volleyball championship tournament, the Region XIX DII Men's and Women's Basketball Final Four, the Gulf Atlantic District Wrestling tournament, and the Division II East District Baseball tournament. The Falcons earned eight different NJCAA All-Americans, including their first-ever women's volleyball award winner, plus Players of the Year in both women's volleyball and baseball.
 
In addition to the athletic success, Larson chairs the Region XIX softball committee, serves as Assistant Men's Director, and serves on the Region XIX baseball committee. Nationally, he serves as a member of the Division I Football and Women's Wrestling sports committees with the NJCAA.
 
"We are so proud that Erik Larson has been awarded the prestigious Ron Case Athletic Director of the Year Award by Region XIX," said Lackawanna College President, Dr. Jill Murray, Ph.D. "Erik has elevated Lackawanna College athletics to an unbelievable level since he began his tenure with us."
 
Under Larson's leadership, Lackawanna College has expanded its athletic brand with online accessibility and a video livestream philosophy that makes sure every Lackawanna College home event has a video livestream and broadcast, including multiple cameras, graphics, and enhancements to provide a professional broadcast. Teams have seen an uptick in success since Larson's arrival, which includes a national championship appearance by football (2019), two national tournament appearances for women's basketball (2019 and 2021), four World Series appearances for baseball (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025), the first region championship for men's basketball in nine years (2021), and the first region championship for women's volleyball in 17 years (2023).
 
Larson's drive and commitment to excellence have also pushed Lackawanna College to uncharted territory, as the College announced earlier this summer that it will be leaving the NJCAA to become a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and compete as a four-year school in the NCAA Division II, beginning in the 2026-2027 scholastic year.
 
"Mr. Larson is the ultimate collaborative leader, he has a strong focus on academics and leadership development for our students, while embracing challenges like no other," says Dr. Murray, "We are tremendously grateful for his continued focus on bringing Division II athletics to NEPA and maintaining our remarkable levels of academic and athletic excellence."
 
Larson becomes the first Lackawanna College recipient of the Ron Case award. He joins head football coach Mark Duda as a region-wide award winner from Lackawanna College. Duda was named as the Augie Eosso award winner in 2022.
 
"Receiving the Ron Case Award is an incredible honor," said Larson, who enters his fifth full season as the Director of Athletics at Lackawanna College for the 2025-2026 season, "I'm deeply grateful to our administration, staff, and coaches, whose dedication and support make everything we do possible.
 
"This recognition reflects the collective effort of a team committed to excellence, and I'm proud to be a part of it."