Preston Nailor’s name went on the plaque. The honor, he insists, belongs to everyone else.

Nailor, the Vicksburg Warren School District athletic director, was honored earlier this year as the 2021 Mississippi Class 4A/5A/6A Athletic Administrators Athletic Director of the Year.

The award honors a sports administrator based on a number of criteria, ranging from experience and accomplishments to how well they care for their students and coaches. It is given through the Mississippi High School Activities Association.

“I was grateful enough and humbled enough to receive this for our district and for the hard work everyone has done – not just me,” Nailor said. “My name is on it, but I feel like it’s a collective effort with all of our coaches, athletes and administrators.”

Nailor was hired as athletic director of VWSD in 2016. During his tenure overseeing the programs at Vicksburg High School and Warren Central High School, as well as their accompanying high schools, he led them all into an era new and modern.

The school bond issue that passed in 2018 resulted in major renovations to stadiums, gymnasiums, running tracks, and baseball and softball fields at both high schools.

Nailor also lobbied for the addition of several new varsity sports to the district’s offerings, such as bowling and esports; oversaw a district-wide apparel and equipment contract with adidas; and the establishment of the VWSD Athletic Hall of Fame.

“I’m very proud of everything we’ve accomplished as a community,” Nailor said. “I look at the number of Division I ready athletes that we have now, and I think that number is going to increase because our kids are more focused on the ACT and we have quality coaches who push the kids not only to be recognized but to put them in a place where they can be recognized.

On the ground, the VWSD teams are also on an upward trend.

Vicksburg High’s football, girls’ and boys’ basketball, baseball, and softball teams all competed in the MHSAA Class 5A Playoffs during the 2021-2022 school year.

Warren Central’s football team went on one of the longest active Class 6A playoff streaks, while its two basketball, baseball and softball teams also made it to the state playoffs.

With a solid foundation laid, Nailor hopes the best is yet to come.

“I think we can only go up from here,” he said. “Now we have adequate facilities for everyone to train, work and continue to achieve district and regional championship goals. Now we want to try to get a state championship in some of our biggest sports. I think we are on the right track to achieve this.