Both NIRSA and the field of collegiate recreation are made great by the passion, drive, and dedication of some truly amazing individuals and institutions. So each year, NIRSA is excited to have the chance 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 honor awarded by the Association, the NIRSA Honor Award is presented each year to a member for outstanding achievement in the profession.
Award recipient: Gregory T. Jordan, CRSS, Oakland University
NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award
Awarded in appreciation of his contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the NIRSA Foundation.
Award recipient: Stan R. Campbell, University of Nebraska
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.
Award recipients
Aaron Hobson, University of Florida
For his exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series serving as Basketball Work Team Chair and Co-Tournament Director of the NIRSA National Basketball Championships.
Brian N. Mills, University of Houston
For his dedication and pride in building a professional and inclusive environment for student officials at NIRSA regional and national flag football tournaments.
Jerrod Jackson, Texas A&M University
For his outstanding dedication and passion as the Program Chair of the 2015 NIRSA Region IV Conference.
Scott George, Central Michigan University
For his vision, dedication, and passion in the development of the Unified Sports Division at the NIRSA National Basketball Championships.
Student Awards
Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts various NIRSA student members have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year.
Award recipients
Erica Estes, James Madison University
For her outstanding leadership and her service to the students of NIRSA as the 2015-2016 NIRSA Student Leader.
Hannah Roberts, East Carolina University
For her exceptional leadership and dedication as the Coordinator of the Region III Student Lead On.
Group Awards
Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts various NIRSA groups have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year.
Award recipients
2016 NIRSA National Basketball Championships
For their outstanding leadership and dedication as members of the Host Committee for the 2016 NIRSA National Basketball Championships:
- Richard “JR” Rathjens, The Ohio State University
- Charles Duane Anderson, The Ohio State University
Student Leadership Development through Recreation and Athletics sourcebook
For their vision and exemplary leadership as co-editors of the Student Leadership Development through Recreation and Athletics sourcebook:
- Don Stenta, The Ohio State University
- Cara McFadden, Elon University
Regional Awards of Merit
These awards acknowledge the exception performance or dedication of NIRSA members to their NIRSA regions.
Region I
Gordon Nesbitt, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Region II
Steven Bobbitt, James Madison University
Region III
Therese Kennedy, CRSS, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Region IV
Kristy Caldwell, Texas State University
Region V
Zac Brost, University of Nebraska
Region VI
Brent Harrison, University of Oregon
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
Alexis Charles, East Stroudsburg University
Bailey Gasior, Stevenson University
Molly Podosek, Rider University
Pat Shank, West Chester University
Lauren Taylor, University at Albany
Region II
Kyle Jones, Florida State University
Zach Kirkpatrick, James Madison University
Gabrielle Ringenberg, Western Kentucky University
Brandon Smith, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Will Trent, James Madison University
Katelyn Voorhees, Clemson University
Region III
Delaney Cherveny, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Matthew DeBaker, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Gabriela Perino, University of Notre Dame
Caroline Popp, Purdue University
Region IV
Michael Adeyemo, Angelo State University
Natalie Janes, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Crystal Moody, Angelo State University
Kari Whitmarsh, University of Texas at Austin
Region V
Rebekah Connell , Colorado State University
Renee Craft, University of Nebraska
Brook McCluskey, University of Nebraska
Melanie Rossetti , University of Nebraska
Courtney Smith, University of Nebraska
Region VI
Jordan Bishop, Washington State University
Annabelle Forster, Seattle University
Taylor Gale, Washington State University
Ryan Holbrook, University of Utah
Rachel Horras, Arizona State University
Laura Noble, Oregon State University
Horace Moody Awards
These awards recognize an outstanding commitment to student development.
Region I
Jessica Ward, Princeton University
Region II
Ryan Wingers, Georgia Southern University
Region III
Jessica Gentry, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
Region IV
Dr. Glenn Hanley, Texas State University
Region V
Heather Foster, Colorado State University
Region VI
Beth Glazer, UCLA
Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards sponsored by AACER
These awards recognize excellence in newly-constructed, renovated, or expanded recreational sports facilities at NIRSA member institutions.
University Recreation Center
James Madison University
Architects: Moseley Architects, Hastings+Chivetta Architects
Campus Recreation Center
Northern Kentucky University
Architect: CannonDesign
Student Recreation & Wellness Center
Radford University
Architect: Worley Associates Architects
Leonard J. Kaplan Center for Wellness
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Architects: Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce, RDG Planning & Design
Student Recreation Center
University of California, Riverside
Architect: CannonDesign
Intramural Sports Building
University of Michigan
Architects: RDG Planning & Design, Integrated Design Solutions
Student Recreation and Wellness Center
University of Missouri St. Louis
Architect: CannonDesign
Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities
University of Victoria
Architect: CannonDesign
Aggie Recreation Center
Utah State University
Architect: HOK
Creative Excellence Awards
These awards focus on outstanding marketing and advertising materials published by NIRSA membership.
Audiovisual Promotion
First Place
Cornell Tree Climbing Institute, Cornell Outdoor Education
Cornell University
Second Place
Fit Talks 2016
Texas State University
Third Place
Find Your Fit, UCSB Department of Recreation
University of California, Santa Barbara
Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication
First Place
Be Inspired. Be U
University of Utah
Second Place
UREC Fall Magazine 2016, University Recreation
University of Arkansas
Third Place
UCF RWC Hand Guide
University of Central Florida
Integrated Marketing Campaign
First Place
Play at Campus Rec
Portland State University
Second Place
Polar Plunge 2016
Auburn University
Third Place
ChooseWell – Integrated marketing Brand and Campaign
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Large Scale Signage
First Place
UREC Addition & Renovation Signage package
James Madison University
Second Place
Down Under Recreation Center Graphics
Washington State University
Third Place
Team Mizzou Spirit Wall Stairwell
University of Missouri
Programming Publication
First Place
Youth Programs Summer Guide
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Second Place
Kettlebell Training Program Marketing
CENTERS, LLC at Cleveland State University
Third Place
Swim Lessons Poster
Sacramento State
Student Digital Presentation
First Place
Be Well – A Health and Wellness Blogazine
Auburn University
Second Place
RecTips Digital Fitness
University of Florida
Third Place
RecStravaganza 2015
University of Florida
Student Publication
First Place
Bioluminescence Night Paddle Trips
University of Central Florida
Second Place
Spring 2016 Department Magazine
University of Florida
Third Place
MizzouRec Info Guide 2016
University of Missouri
Website
First Place
MIT Recreation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Second Place
U Fit 4.0
Washington State University
Third Place
Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness Website
University of Denver
Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award
This award recognizes the outstanding leadership of a NIRSA professional member.
Award recipient: Jocelyn Hill, American University
NIRSA/USTA Tennis Ace Awards
Honors 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
Brooke Turner, RCRSP, University of Alabama
Institutional
Western Washington University
President’s Award for the Article of Distinction
This award recognizes excellence in writing from contributing authors to the NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal.
Award recipient:
Primary Author: Jacquiline McDowell, Ph. D., George Mason University
Secondary Authors:
Robyn Deterding, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
Terrence Elmore, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
Edward Morford, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
Erin Morris, SUNY Cortland
For their October, 2016 article titled “Title IX and Campus Recreation: Guidelines to Increase Gender Equity in Club and Intramural Sport Programs.”
Research and Assessment Award
This award recognizes a NIRSA member who has made extraordinary contributions toward advancing research and assessment initiatives on their campus and/or for NIRSA.
Award recipient: Anne Wilkinson, Ph. D., CRSS, Temple University
For outstanding efforts and service in advancing research and assessment in the field of collegiate recreation.
- For more information, please contact NIRSA Leadership Programs Coordinator Lani Beavers.
Lani Sherman was the Leadership Programs Coordinator at NIRSA.
