President’s Award for the Article of Distinction

NIRSA’s premier publication, through the generous support of donors to the NIRSA Foundation, recognizes authors for their important scholarly contributions in the field of collegiate recreation.

Much of the content of Recreational Sports Journal (RSJ) comes directly from NIRSA professionals conducting research in the field of collegiate recreation. Each year, the RSJ editorial board recognizes authors with The President’s Award for the Article of Distinction for writing exceptional articles published in one of the two issues of the RSJ . Recipients are acknowledged with a certificate and given a $500 honorarium.

Applications will be open soon!

The application period has ended.

Eligibility

To be eligible, individuals must have published an original article in the previous year’s Recreational Sports Journal.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria is used by the selection committee which is comprised of RSJ Editorial Board members:

  • The article should appeal to a wide range of the NIRSA membership.
  • The article should be substantiated by existing or new research, rather than just the author’s opinion or experience.
  • The article should contribute to the base of knowledge in the field of collegiate recreation.
  • The readership should find the information presented to be intellectually stimulating and/or challenging to the existing methods of thought and application.
  • The article should motivate the readership to implement the new information and/or encourage additional research on the subject material.

Previous Recipients

2024

If You Build it Will They Come? The Mediating Roles of Human Resource and Program Capacities, which appeared in Volume: 47, Issue 1 of the RSJ.

Kevin E.S. Wilson, University of Waterloo

Laura Wood, University of Waterloo

Ryan Snelgrove, University of Waterloo

2023

Challenges faced and solutions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic among North American college campus recreation staff. (2022) Vol. 46, No. 1

Samantha L Powers, George Mason University

Oliver W.A. Wilson, Victoria University of Wellington

Melissa Bopp, Pennsylvania State University

2022

Exploring Inclusion of College Students With IDD in Campus Recreation Through the Lens of Recreation Departments’ Organizational Level Stakeholders. (2021) Vol. 25, No. 1

Lindsey R. Oakes, Texas State University

Tracy R. Nichols, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Stuart J. Schleien, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Robert W. Strack, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Jeffrey J. Milroy, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

2021

Examining work experiences among collegiate recreation employees. (2020) Vol. 44, No. 1

Colin Lopez, Temple University

Elizabeth Taylor, PhD, Temple University

Gareth Jones, PhD, Temple University

Matt Huml, PhD, University of Cincinnati

Daniel Funk, PhD, Temple University

2020

Current Priorities in Campus Recreation:
A Multi-Institutional Study of Strategic Plans. (2019) Vol. 43, No. 1

Leeann M. Lower-Hoppe, Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Megan L. Parietti, Ph.D.,University of Wisconsin- Parkside

W. Andrew Czekanski, Ph.D., Coastal Carolina University

2019

Assessing College Students’ Use of Campus Recreation Facilities Through Individual and Environmental Factors. (2018) Vol. 42, No. 2

Hassan Shaikh, J.D., Kirkland & Ellis

Megan Patterson, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, College Station

Beth Lanning, Ph.D., Baylor University

M. Renee Umstattd Meyer, Ph.D., Baylor University

Clint Patterson, Ed.D., Texas A&M University, College Station

2018

I use the Student Recreation Center, but I would use it more if…: Understanding male and female constraints to Student Recreation Center Use. (2017) Vol. 41, No. 1

Christopher L. Stankowski, M.S., The University of Texas at Arlington

Nate E. Trauntvein, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire

Stacey L. Hall, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire

2017

Title IX and campus recreation: Guidelines to increase gender equity in club and intramural sport programs. (2016) Vol. 40, No. 2

Jacqueline McDowell, Ph.D., George Mason University

Erin Morris, Ph.D., SUNY Cortland

Robyn Deterding, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Terrence Elmore, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Edward Morford, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2016

Benefits of collegiate recreational sports participation: Results from the 2013 NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium study. (2015) Vol. 39, No.1

Scott Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University

2015

Academic success and retention: The role of recreational sports fitness facilities. (2014) Vol. 37, No. 2

Samantha J. Deere, Ph.D., Saginaw Valley State University

James Pivarnik, Ph.D., Michigan State University

Richard N. McNeil, Ph.D., Michigan State University

Ira J. Washington, Ph.D., Michigan State University

2014

Collegiate recreation participation and retention. (2013) Vol. 37, No. 2

Stephen Kampf, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University

Eric J. Teske, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

2013

An examination of variables related to student employment in campus recreation programs. (2012) Vol. 36, No. 2

James E. Johnson, Ed.D., Ball State University

Ashlee N. Kaiser, Ball State University

Robert J. Bell, Ph.D.

2012

The contribution of campus recreational sports participation to perceived sense of campus community. (2011) Vol. 35, No. 1

Daniel J. Elkins, Ph.D., Illinois State University

Scott A. Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University

Amelia V. Noël-Elkins, Ph.D. Illinois State University

2011

Service quality and satisfaction within campus recreation: The moderating role of identification. (2010) Vol. 34, No. 1

David Shonk, Ph.D., James Madison University

Peter DeMichele, Ph.D., James Madison University

2010

Comparison of health and academic indices between campus recreation facility users and nonusers. (2009) Vol. 33, No. 1

M. Kent Todd, Ph.D., James Madison University

Julie Wallace Carr, Ed.D., James Madison University

Greg Czyszczon, James Madison University

Casey Pratt, James Madison University

2009

The college recreational sports learning environment. (2008) Vol. 32, No. 1

Danell Haines, Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Tyler Fortman, The Ohio State University

2008

Campus recreational sports internships: A comparison of student and employer perspectives. (2007) Vol. 31, No. 1

Craig Ross, Ph.D., Indiana University

Brent Beggs, Ph.D., Illinois State University

2007

Student attitudes toward sports and fitness activities after graduation. (2006) Vol. 30, No. 2

Scott Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University

Christopher Arterberry, DePaul University

Robert Barcelona, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire

2006

Overcoming barriers to participation in campus recreational sports. (2005) Vol. 29, No. 2

Brent Beggs, Ph.D., Illinois State University

Daniel J. Elkins, Ph.D., Illinois State University

Shawn Powers, M.S., Peoria Park District

2005

Differences in leadership development of club sports officials. (2004) Vol. 28, No. 1

Stacey Hall-Yannessa, M.S., Indiana University

Scott Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University

Changes in students’ recreation activities, satisfaction and perceived following the construction of a new recreation facility. (2004) Vol. 28, No. 2

James C. Turman, Ph.D., University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

Darwin D. Hendel, Ph.D., University of Minnesota–Twin Cities

2004

Perceived constraints by college students to participation in campus recreational sports programs. (2003) Vol. 27, No. 2

Sarah J. Young, Ph.D., Indiana University

Craig M. Ross, Re.D., Indiana University

Robert J. Barcelona, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire

2003

Participation patterns in campus recreational sports: An examination of quality of student effort from 1983 to 1998. (2002) Vol. 26 No. 1

Robert J. Barcelona, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire

Craig M. Ross, Re.D., University of New Hampshire

Campus recreation participation, health, and quality of life. (2002) Vol. 26, No. 2

Gary D. Ellis, Ph.D., University of Utah

Mary Bohlig, M.A., University of Utah

David M. Compton, Ed.D., University of Utah

Briget Tyson, M.A., University of Utah

2002

Undergraduate student benefits from university recreation. (2001) Vol. 25, No. 1

Danell J. Haines, Ph.D., The Ohio State University

Craig M. Ross, Re.D., University of New Hampshire

Web technology in recreational sports. (2001) Vol. 25, No. 2

Craig M. Ross, Re.D., North Carolina State University

Scott Forrester, M.S., North Carolina State University

2001

Assessment of programs and services. (2000) Vol. 24, No. 1

Gary L. Miller, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana

Mindy Miron Basi, Drobny Program

Jesse A. Clements, M.S., University of Illinois at Urbana

Cheryl Davis Bullock, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana

Recreational sports trends for the 21-century: Results of a Delphi study. (2000) Vol. 24, No. 2

Sarah J. Young, Ph.D., University of Nevada in Las Vegas

Craig M. Ross, Re.D., Indiana University

2000

Student learning and grow resulting from service as an intramural official. (1999) Vol. 23, No. 2

John H. Schuh, Ph.D.. Iowa State University

For More Info

For more information, please contact Sarah Leskovec.