Dave Bass Named NAIA Faculty Athletics Rep of the Year
Bass Receives National Honor for 2nd Time
VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Valley City State University’s Dave Bass has been named the 2025-26 NAIA Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year, the national office announced Tuesday as part of its 2026 National Awards Day.
Named in honor of former NAIA Vice President of Legislative Services Wally Schwartz, the award recognizes a Faculty Athletics Representative who demonstrates loyalty, enthusiasm and honesty while serving student-athletes and their institution.
Bass has served as VCSU’s Faculty Athletics Representative for more than 20 years. Throughout his tenure, he has advocated for student-athletes while helping ensure the integrity of the university’s academic and athletic programs. He approaches each decision with fairness, professionalism and a genuine commitment to what is best for both the student and the institution.
His leadership has also extended well beyond the VCSU campus. Bass served as the eligibility chair for three athletic conferences for more than 16 years and has provided leadership nationally through his service on the NAIA Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives and the Learning Disability Advisory Committee.
Tuesday’s honor adds to an extensive list of accomplishments for Bass. He was selected as the NSAA Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year five times and previously received the NAIA Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year Award in 2017. The 2026 recognition makes Bass a two-time recipient of the prestigious national award.
Bass was also named the 2025-26 Frontier Conference Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year in June.
Throughout his career, Bass has built meaningful relationships with generations of Vikings. His leadership, knowledge and commitment to student-athlete success have made a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues at VCSU and across the NAIA.
Bass will be formally recognized at the 2027 NAIA National Convention in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, April 10, 2027.
View the complete list of 2026 NAIA National Awards Day winners.