Congratulations to the 2016 NIRSA Award recipients!

By Christine Haluzak

Both NIRSA and the field of collegiate recreation have their standards of excellence advanced by the passion, drive, and dedication of some truly amazing individuals and institutions.

So, each year, NIRSA is excited to recognize some of its extraordinary members with a variety of well-deserved awards. The Association would like to congratulate all of these inspiring members for their contributions to NIRSA and the field!

Honor Award

The highest distinction conveyed by the Association, the NIRSA Honor Award is presented each year to a member for outstanding achievement in the profession.

Award recipient: Michael “Mick” Deluca, RCRSP, CRSS – UCLA

NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award

Awarded in appreciation of his contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the NIRSA Foundation.

Award recipient: Will Holsberry, CRSS – Emeritus, Oregon State University

NIRSA Annual Service Awards

Professional Awards

Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts various NIRSA professional members have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year. The 2016 award recipients include:

Jennifer Gudaz – Cornell University
For her leadership in developing a new model for the Member Network Chair and her outstanding passion and dedication serving in that role.

Laura Hall – University of California, Davis
For her outstanding dedication and passion as program Co-Chair of the 2015 NIRSA Annual Conference.

Stephanie McAlpine – The University of Texas at Arlington
For her outstanding leadership and dedication as Chair of the NIRSA Championship Series Executive Committee.

Mila L. Padgett – University of South Carolina Aiken
For her dedication and passion serving a fourth year as member of the NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation Faculty.

Nicole Olmeda, M.Ed. – The University of Texas at Austin
For her exemplary leadership as Chair and advancing the curriculum of the NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation and significant contributions to NIRSA’s research and assessment projects.

Student Awards

Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts various NIRSA student members have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year. The 2016 award recipient is:

Jessica Adkisson – University of Colorado Boulder
For her outstanding leadership as the Region III Student Leader and her service to the students of NIRSA.

Group Awards

Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts a group of NIRSA leaders have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year. The 2016 award recipients are members of the:

NIRSA Flag Football Rules Book Editorial Board Work Team

Jason Gant, RCRSP – Creighton University

Nicole Green – University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Kurt Klier, CRSS, RCRSP – University of Maryland-College Park

For their exemplary leadership and significant contributions to the development of an editorial board for the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book & Officials’ Manual.

Regional Awards of Merit

These awards acknowledge the exceptional performance and dedication of NIRSA members to their NIRSA regions.

Region I

Jennifer Gudaz – Cornell University

Region II

Tom Roberts, CRSS – University of Richmond

Region III

Rin Seibert, CRSS – Valparaiso University

Region IV

Laurie Braden, RCRSP, CRSS – Louisiana State University

Region V

Erin Patchett, RCRSP, CRSS – Colorado State University – Fort Collins

Region VI

Mike Weinberger – University of California, Berkeley

William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards

These awards recognize outstanding students who are actively involved with the Department of Recreational Sports on their university or college campus.

Region I

Lindsay Bay – Mount St. Mary’s University

Rachel Jones – Rutgers University

Rustin McNiff – SUNY: The College at Brockport

Annie Paguaga – Mount St. Mary’s University

Megan Silvey – Boston College

Sara Sturzo – University of New Hampshire

Region II

Cybbi Barton – Western Kentucky University

Lane Embry – Western Kentucky University

Christopher Harpe – University of North Carolina Wilmington

Hannah Houston – James Madison University

Jonathan Reed – University of Southern Mississippi

Yasmin Shahkarami – James Madison University

Region III

Parker Anderson – The Ohio State University

Brandon Barnes – The University of Akron

Krista Bonikowske – The Ohio State University

Meadow Jackson – University of Notre Dame

Region IV

Tori Allmendinger – Oklahoma State University

Jayna Evans – Sam Houston State University

Carol Gibbon – Wichita State University

Region V

Kelsey Appleby – University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Jonathan Berger – University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Seth Hoscheit – Minnesota State University Mankato

Seth Schafersman – University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Tiffany Wieser – University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Ashley Wylde – Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Region VI

Daniel Espinoza-Gonzalez – Seattle University

Marisella Gonzalez – Arizona State University

Heather Higashi – Seattle University

Dallas Jordan – University of California-Davis

Rebekah Sanders – Seattle University

Arianna Warner – Portland State University

Horace Moody Awards

These awards recognize outstanding students who are actively involved with the Department of Recreational Sports on their university or college campus.

Region I

Jason Incorvati – University of Massachusetts Amherst

Region II

Kelly Ator – Clemson University

Region III

Aaron Hobson – University of Wisconsin-Madison

Region IV

Jonathan L. Elliott – University of Arkansas

Region V

Deb Johnson – University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Region VI

DJ Mackie – Washington State University

Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards

These awards, sponsored by NIRSA associate member Aacer Flooring, recognize excellence in newly-constructed, renovated, or expanded recreational sports facilities at NIRSA member institutions. The 2016 award-year also recognizes outstanding outdoor sports facilities opened between 2013 and 2015.

The University of Alabama’s Student Activity Center at Presidential Village

Architect: TMP Architecture, Inc. and Williams Blackstock Architects

Cal Poly Pomona’s Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex

Architect: LPA, Inc.

California State University, Northridge’s Oasis Wellness Center

Architect: LPA, Inc.

The University of Colorado Boulder’s Student Recreation Center

Architect: CannonDesign

Georgia State University’s Indian Creek Recreation Area

Architect: Signature Research Inc

Kennesaw State University’s Dr. Betty L. Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center

Architect: Hughes Group Architects

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis’s Campus Rec Outdoor Facility at Lockefield Green

Architect: Landstory Landscape Architecture/Planning

The University of Manitoba’s Active Living Centre

Architect: Cibinel Architects Ltd + Batteriid Architects

The SUNY Cortland Student Life Center

Architect: Hastings+Chivetta Architects and NELSON

Bowling Green State University’s Student Recreation Center

Architect: The Collaborative

The University of Oregon’s Student Recreation Center Expansion and Renovation

Sustainable Marketing

First Place

SHSU Hosts the Texas Outdoor Leadership Conference
Sam Houston State University

Second Place

Fix A Flat Day
California State University, Chico

Website

First Place

recsports.ufl.edu
University of Florida

Second Place

Website Redesign/Relaunch
University of Texas at San Antonio

Third Place

BGSU Recreation and Wellness Website
Bowling Green State University

Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award

This award recognizes the outstanding leadership of a NIRSA professional member.

Award recipient: David Davenport – Austin Peay State University

NIRSA/USTA Tennis Ace Awards

Honor NIRSA institutional, professional, and student members who have implemented NIRSA-endorsed Tennis On Campus programs, and recognize efforts to grow recreational tennis participation.

Professional

National Winner

Laura Thomas – Texas Tech University

Finalist

Kelsey Edge – Purdue University

Institutional

National Winner

DePaul University

Runner-up

UCLA

Recreational Sports Journal Award

This award recognizes excellence in writing from contributing authors to the NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal.

Award recipient: Scott Forrester, PhD – Brock University

For his April, 2015 article: “Benefits of Collegiate Recreational Sports Participation: Results from the 2013 NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium Study.”

Research and Assessment Award

This award recognizes a NIRSA member who has made extraordinary contributions toward advancing research and assessment initiatives on their campus, for NIRSA, or both. The 2016 award recipient is:

Karina Wittmann – University of North Dakota

For her outstanding efforts and service in advancing research and assessment in the field of collegiate recreation.

Most nominations forms will open in the fall of 2016 for most 2017 awards—award timelines can be found on the NIRSA website. For more information about NIRSA awards, please contact Christine Haluzak, NIRSA Director of Membership and Leadership Programs.