MAY 8, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations
352.671.7734 w ◊ 352.840.3265 c
[email protected]
MCPS’ DONNIE TUCKER WINS
STATE AWARD OF MERIT
MARION COUNTY – Donnie Tucker, the district athletic director of Marion County Public Schools, received the 2025 State Award of Merit this past weekend at the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAAA) state conference in Kissimmee.
The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) presents this annual award via the FIAAA to a “deserving member in each state for recognition of meritorious dedication to high school and middle school athletics.” Recipients must demonstrate significant contributions to education-based athletics at both the local and state levels.
Tucker holds the Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) credential and brings a full decade of experience in athletic administration. Since joining MCPS, he helped it become a unified NCAA-eligible district. Tucker also played a key role in bringing the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Swimming and Diving Championships to the district.
Tucker serves on the FIAAA board of directors, is a state Leadership Training Institute (LTI) instructor, and was a member of the 2023 National Athletic Directors Conference host committee, a role he is reprising this year.
Prior to his current role, Tucker served as athletic director at North Marion and Forest High Schools for nearly eight years.
The NIAAA, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, boasts more than 16,000 members nationwide and is the parent organization of the FIAAA.
For more information, contact NIAAA Communications Manager Justin Chapman at 317.587.1450 or visit www.niaaa.org.
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MCPS Athletic Director Donnie Tucker (center) receives his State Award of Merit during the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association conference in Kissimmee, Florida.