The award is issued by the Missouri Valley Conference to "those individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective league-member institutions, The Valley or collegiate athletics, in general," according to the press release.
In addition to his stints as athletic director, Bardo had a 15-year tenure as faculty athletics representative. He most recently in 2015 before current athletic director Tommy Bell was hired.
“Dr. Harold Bardo has made a big difference over his nearly 50 years of involvement at his institution, as an educator, a role model and a mentor to many people,” Commissioner Doug Elgin said in a press release.