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

The Association would like to congratulate all of 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. The Honor Award is presented during the Honor Award Banquet.

Award recipient

Vicki Highstreet, RCRSP, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

NIRSA Annual Service Awards

Professional Awards

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

Award recipients

Andy Lemons, RCRSP, St. Edward’s University

For his outstanding leadership in Region IV and instrumental role in the creation of new regional scholarships.

Brooke Turner, The University of Alabama

For her exemplary leadership and dedication as chair of the NIRSA Championship Series Executive Committee.

Dave DeAngelo, CRSS, The Ohio State University

For his dedication and passion serving as advisor of the NIRSA Region III Student Lead On.

David Peters, RCRSP, Florida State University

For his vision and leadership as Chair of the NIRSA Member Network and his outstanding passion and dedication to NIRSA Championship Series.

Student Awards

Awarded in appreciation of the considerable volunteer efforts various NIRSA student members have made to further NIRSA and the collegiate recreation field this past year.

Award recipients

Marjorie Wallington, Central Michigan University

For her outstanding leadership as the Region III Student Leader and her service to the students of NIRSA.

Will Trent, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

For his exemplary leadership and service to the students of NIRSA as the 2016-2017 NIRSA Student Leader.

Group Awards

Awarded in appreciation of the considerable volunteer efforts various NIRSA groups have made to further NIRSA and the collegiate recreation field this past year.

2017 NIRSA Sport Club Institute Committee

For their exceptional dedication and event execution of the 2017 NIRSA Sport Club Institute.

2016-2017 NIRSA Leadership Commission

For their significant contributions to develop the student leadership resources within the association.

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. Award recipients are presented their awards during the Student Member Connection Meeting.

Region I

Mia Stewart, Cornell University

Region II

Amy Ross, James Madison University

Courtney McAdams, Western Kentucky University

Janna Jordan, Georgia Southern University

Malik Holmes, James Madison University

Nora Osei, James Madison University

Derrick Applewhite, Jr., North Carolina State University

Region III

Courtney Styfurak, The University of Akron

Eric Hildebrandt, University of Cincinnati

Erin Hoffert, Kent State University

Justine Morneau, Western Michigan University

Region IV

Brandi Abercrombie, Oklahoma State University

Madison Brown, Sam Houston State University

Region V

Ashley Zugschwert, The University of Iowa

Berkley Fierro, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Hannah Brown, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Kaitlyn McCracken, South Dakota State University

Nick Remmes, University of Iowa

Taylor Sidore, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Region VI

Kennedy Dresh, Seattle University

Logan Cochran, Seattle University

Zoe Schrader, Seattle University

Horace Moody Awards

These awards recognize an outstanding commitment to student development. Award recipients are presented their awards during the Student Member Connection Meeting.

Region I

Jodi Galucci, Cornell University

Region II

Jeffrey Feldhaus, Virginia Tech

Region III

Arianne Judy, University of Notre Dame

Region IV

Anthony R. Kreitzer, Texas A&M University – Kingsville

Region V

Brit Heiring, Colorado State University

Region VI

Timothy “TC” Collins, California State University – Monterey Bay

Canadian Region

Peter Mumford, RCRSP, York University

Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards sponsored by AACER

These awards recognize excellence in newly-constructed, renovated, or expanded recreational sports facilities at NIRSA member institutions. Award recipients are recognized during the Opening General Session.

University Recreation

Louisiana State University

Architect: HOK

North Recreation Center

The Ohio State University

Architect: Acock Associates Architects

Hamel Student Recreation Center and Outdoor Pool

University of New Hampshire

Architect: HG Architects

Student Recreation Center Expansion & Renovation

Texas A&M University

Architect: Marmon Mok Architecture

Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center

Washington University in St. Louis

Architect: Hastings+Chivetta Architects

Recreation Center

Grand Valley State University

Architects: Hastings+Chivetta Architects

Integrated Architecture

Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center

University of Wyoming

Architects: Tobin & Associates, PC

Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative

Intramural Recreation Building

Pennsylvania State University

Architect: Moody Nolan, Inc.

Mashouf Wellness Center

San Francisco State University

Architect: WRNS Studio

Creative Excellence Awards

These awards focus on outstanding marketing and advertising materials published by NIRSA membership. Award recipients are recognized during the Opening General Session.

Audiovisual Promotion

First Place

Swoop Camp!

University of Utah

Second Place

Bound for Rio

Portland State University

Third Place

“Find Your Balance” Video

Washington University in St. Louis

Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication

First Place

Campus Rec Guidebook

Colorado State University

Second Place

2016 Rec Sports Annual Report

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Third Place

Playbook

Illinois State University

Integrated Marketing Campaign

First Place

ASUW Shell House: The Next 100 Years

University of Washington – Seattle

Second Place

Let’s Go Campaign

Washington University in St. Louis

Third Place

RECFEST at Foster Recreation Center

Missouri State University

Large Scale Signage

First Place

Wolf Experience Artwork

University of West Georgia

Second Place

The Dark Room

Washington University in St. Louis

Third Place

Vision Mural

Portland State University

Programming Publication

First Place

Adventure WV

West Virginia University

Second Place

Intramural Sports Marketing

Georgia Southern University

Third Place

WellFest

Virginia Tech

Student Digital Presentation

First Place

Everyday Champions Video

Florida State University

Second Place

Try It Out Videos

Illinois State University

Third Place

Fall 2016 Intramural Sign Ups

Texas State University

Student Publication

First Place

Campus Rec Guidebook

Colorado State University

Second Place

Campus Recreation

West Virginia University

Third Place

Campus Rec Poster Series

Colorado State University

Website

First Place

WashU Rec Website

Washington University in St. Louis

Second Place

Recreation Services Website

Iowa State University

Third Place

Student Recreation & Wellness Services Website

The University of Akron

NIRSA/USTA Tennis Ace Awards

Professional

Gary Cahen, University of Central Florida

Institutional

University of Florida

President’s Award for the Article of Distinction

This award recognizes excellence in writing from contributing authors to the NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal. These award recipients are recognized during the Opening General Session.

Award recipients

Primary Author: Christopher L. Stankowski, MS, The University of Texas at Arlington

Secondary Authors: Nate Trauntvein, PhD, University of New Hampshire
Stacey Hall, PhD, RCRSP, CRSS, University of New Hampshire

For their April 2017 article titled “I use the Student Recreation Center, but I would use it more if…: Understanding Male and Female Constraints to Student Recreation Center Use.”

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. These award recipients are recognized during the Opening General Session.

Award recipients

April Flint, PhD, RCRSP   Emory University

Dan Hazlett, Georgia Institute of Technology

Jacob Tingle, EdD, CRSS, Trinity University

Award recipients still to be named

Four important award distinctions will be unveiled during the NIRSA Annual Conference. The following awards will be conferred at the 2018 NIRSA Annual Conference.

Foundation Leadership Award

This award recipient will be recognized during the Opening General Session.

Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award

This award is presented during the Lee Wasson People of Color Social.

Regional Awards of Merit

These awards are presented during Regional Member Network Connection Meetings, on Tuesday, March 6 from 5:00pm-6:30 pm.

Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award

This award recipient will be recognized during the Opening General Session.

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

For more information about NIRSA Awards, please contact NIRSA Leadership Programs Coordinator Lani Beavers.

Leadership Programs Coordinator at  | NIRSA Profile

Lani Sherman was the Leadership Programs Coordinator at NIRSA.