NIRSA and the entire field of collegiate recreation are made great by the passion, drive, and dedication of some incredible individuals and institutions. Each year, NIRSA is proud to recognize a few of our extraordinary members with a variety of awards.

The Association would like to congratulate all our inspiring award recipients for their contributions to NIRSA and the profession!

Honor Award

The highest honor awarded by the Association, the NIRSA Honor Award is presented each year to a member for outstanding achievement in the profession. This year, the Honor Award, sponsored by Mondo, will be presented during the Opening General Session on Thursday, March 23 during the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo.

Award recipient

Kathleen Hatch, Kansas State University

Foundation Leadership Award

The NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award recognizes an individual or group that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the NIRSA Foundation and its mission. The award recipient will be recognized during the NIRSA 2023 Closing General Session on Sunday, March 26.

Award Recipient

Laurie Braden, Louisiana State University

William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards

The William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards—named after NIRSA’s founder—recognize outstanding students who are actively involved with the department of recreational sports on their university or college campus.

Canada Region

Lauryn Rogers, University of Windsor

Region I

Curtis J. Richall, University of Rhode Island
Phoebe Kurniawan, University of Maryland
James Davis, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Olay Ajayi, Cornell University
Jake Novick, Towson University
Kaylyn Carlucci, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Region II

Tim Groth, James Madison University
Shaina Reins, East Tennessee State University
Delaney Carrick, James Madison University
Chandler Bagwell, James Madison University
William Burton, James Madison University
Isabelle Flugrad, James Madison University

Region III

Mattison Interian, University of Notre Dame
Matilda Smolij, University of Cincinnati

Region IV

Brittany Close, Oklahoma State University
Isaac Estrada, Oklahoma State University

Region V

Brynn Fuelberth, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Hattie Roberts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bethany Meyers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sophia Thomas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Eric Gunderson, University of Minnesota Duluth
Kinna Arp, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Region VI

Sophia Pienta, UC Davis
Olivia Badalamenti, UC Davis
Rachel Vermeltfoort, University of Utah
Jacob Parker, Seattle University
Zachary Gaziano Smith, Seattle University

Horace Moody Awards

The Horace Moody Awards recognize an outstanding commitment to student development.

Region I

Dan Bennett, Princeton University

Region II

Jenny Larson, Elon University

Region III

Savon Williams, University of Notre Dame

Region IV

Kasey Gonzalez, Trinity University

Region V

Jeremy McKendall, University of Wyoming

Region VI

Ben Burnham, Boise State University

Canada

Bjorn Billehaug, Mount Royal University

Creative Excellence Awards

The Creative Excellence Awards focus on outstanding marketing and advertising materials published by NIRSA membership.

Audiovisual Promotion

First Place

Getting to Know Gainesville
University of Florida

Second Place

About University of Washington Recreation
University of Washington- Recreation

Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication

First Place

Duke Rec & P.E. Department Guide
Duke University

Second Place

2021-2022 Annual Report: Virginia Tech Rec Sports
Virginia Tech Recreational Sports

Integrated Marketing Campaign

First Place

Sport Clubs at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Recreational Sports

Second Place

Cougar Kids Camp
Washington State University

Large Scale Signage

First Place

The World in Motion One Gator at a Time Mural
University of Florida

Second Place

Outdoor Recreation Center Branding
Washington State University

Programming Publication

First Place

Youth Programs Summer 2022: Better Together
University of Minnesota

Second Place

FAU Fitness- Monthly Specialty Calendar
Florida Atlantic University- Campus Recreation

Social Media Campaign

First Place

Student Employee Appreciation Week
Florida State University

Second Place

Mic’d Up Intramural Sports Campaign
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill

Student Digital Presentation

First Place

Dalton’s Trippin’
Jacksonville State University (CENTERS, LLC)

Second Place

Group Exercise Promotional Video
University of Central Florida

Student Publication

First Place

Group Fit Club
The WELL at Sacramento State

Second Place

VT Rec Sports Pocket Schedule & Programming Guide
Virginia Tech Recreational Sports

Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award

This marks the inaugural year for the Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award, which recognizes the work happening in our recreation centers that is instrumental to student success, building community, and sharing the important message of health and wellbeing. The award consists of two categories: Special Division and Open Division. For 2023 submissions, the Special Division is focused on health and wellbeing and equity, diversity, and inclusion while the Open Division is focused on campus rec programming within rec centers.

Special Division

First Place

Amplify Campaign
UNC Charlotte

Runner Up

Sip & Paint
James Madison University

Open Division

Using Streaming and Digital Media to Propel Growth in Club Sports
Robert Morris University

Rec Recess
Campus and Community Recreation
University of Alberta

Women’s Only Workouts & Empower Hour
Arizona State University

NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Awards

The Outstanding Facilities Awards, sponsored by Mondo, recognize excellence in the innovative designs of new, renovated, and/or expanded collegiate recreation and wellness facilities at NIRSA member institutions.

UMass Recreation Turf Fields

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Woodard & Curran, Inc.

Rec Deck

Florida Gulf Coast University
Harvard Jolly Architecture

Monarch Esports Arena

Old Dominion University
Moseley Architects

Aztec Recreation Center
Associated Students

San Diego State University
SmithGroup

Toldo Lancer Centre

University of Windsor
CS&P Architects Inc

Southside Rec Center

Texas A&M University
SmithGroup

Recreational Sports Outdoor Program Pool

University of Minnesota Duluth
Architectural Resource Inc.

President’s Award for the Article of Distinction

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

Award recipients

Samantha L Powers, George Mason University
Oliver W.A. Wilson, Victoria University of Wellington
Melissa Bopp, Pennsylvania State University

For their article titled “Challenges faced and solutions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic among North American college campus recreation staff,” which appeared in Volume: 46, Issue 1 of the RSJ.

NIRSA Annual Service Awards

The Annual Service Awards are presented in appreciation of the considerable volunteer efforts various NIRSA professional and student members have made to further NIRSA and the collegiate recreation field this past year.

Professional Awards

Matthew R. Dunigan, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona: for exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Chair of the Club Basketball Work Team

Emily Patterson, Texas A&M University-College Station: For exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Director of Tournament Experience and Logistics at the 2021 NIRSA National Soccer Championships

Dexter Shorter, Ed.D., Pennsylvania State University- University Park: For exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Chair of the Basketball Work Team

Nikki Vance, University of Oregon: For exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Chair of the Esports Task Force

Group Awards

Campus Recreation Essentials: Intramural Authors

For significant contributions as an author of Campus Recreation Essentials: Intramurals

Amanda Alpert Jessee
Jonathan Johnston
Kevin “K-Mart” Martin Sr.

Campus Recreation Essentials: Student Staff Training & Development Authors

For significant contributions as an author of Campus Recreation Essentials: Student Staff Training and Development

Matthew J. Altendorf, MA
Chris Bullard
Katie Burns, M.Ed.
Elizabeth Seal, MA
Christina Galli, MS, MBA
Jenny Larson

NIRSA Championship Series Social Justice Task Force

For demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by serving on the NIRSA Championship Series Social Justice Task Force

Jamaica L. Cannon
Jasmine Mayes-Browning
Nicholas D’Amato
David Podschun
Kristofer Newsome
Isaac Hughes
Heather Marshall
Jasmine I. Holmes
Mirum Washington-White, CRSS, RCRSP

NIRSA JDEI Climate Study Steering Committee

For demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion by serving on the NIRSA JDEI Climate Study Steering Committee

Andrea L. Snead
Cara Lucia, PhD
David Davenport
Domonique Sak
Jasmine I. Holmes
Rachael “Roach” Finley, M.S.
Todd M Bauch
Dr. Iisha D. Voltz
Victoria R. Lopez-Herrera

Gender & Trans Inclusion in Collegiate Recreation Webinar Series Planners

For exceptional dedication and execution during the planning of the Gender & Trans Inclusion in Collegiate Recreation webinar series

Wendy B. Motch-Ellis
Lauren Brown
Allie J. Bogard, M.S., RCRSP
Amber Mateer

Regional Awards of Merit

The Regional Awards of Merit recipients will be unveiled during the Regional Meetups happening on Friday, March 24, immediately following the ed sessions. Join peers and colleagues from your region to help celebrate these members.

Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award

The Juliette Moore Distinguished Leadership Award recipient will be unveiled and recognized during The Founders People of Color Social, sponsored by PLAE and Life Fitness, on Friday, March 24.

Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award

The recipient of the Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award will be announced and celebrated at the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo.

Stay tuned to NIRSA News for recap details

An additional article recognizing recipients revealed during the conference week will debut after NIRSA 2023. Award webpages will be updated with 2023 recipients in April.

Again, congratulations to this year’s NIRSA Award recipients—true leaders in campus recreation!

NIRSA Membership & Leadership Coordinator at  | NIRSA Profile

Rachel Marcella is currently the Membership & Leadership Coordinator at NIRSA.