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 Wednesday, April 17 during the 2024 NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo.

Award recipient

Bill Crockett, University of Maryland, Baltimore

See Related: Bill Crockett is the 2024 recipient of NIRSA’s Honor Award

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 2024 Closing General Session on Saturday, April 20.

Award Recipient

Brent Harrison, University of Oregon

See Related: Brent Harrison is the 2024 NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award recipient

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.

Region I

Schuyler Capozzoli, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Shannon Colbert, Towson University

Chelsea Crane, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Chloe Kissinger, Millersville University

Jessica Matheson, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Region II

Lauren Ayres, James Madison University

Elijah Dale, James Madison University

Katelyn Gil, Georgia Southern University

Lauren Shutt, James Madison University

Abigail Townsend, James Madison University

Grace Young, James Madison University

Region III

Gabriella Fisette, Indiana University South Bend/University of Notre Dame

Morgan Losey, Western Michigan University

Nalani Lee Malackowski, University of Notre Dame

Ben Miles, The Ohio State University

Region IV

Justine Balconi-Lamica, The University of Texas at Arlington

Emily Schneider, Texas A&M University

Linden Settles, The University of Texas at Arlington

Region V

Hayden Bavis, University of North Dakota

Grace Charlesworth, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Ryan Larson, North Dakota State University

Ciara Nelson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Region VI

Tayllor Johns, Northern Arizona University

Sarah Mebane, California State University, Bakersfield

Oshiogwe Nash-Haruna, University of California Davis

Ainsley Nommensen, California State University Bakersfield

Lia Reznik, University of California Davis

Canadian Region

No nominations were received

Horace Moody Awards

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

Region I

Andrew Havrisko, Rowan University

Region II

Caroline Ciell Richman, University of Florida

Region III

Drew Loso, M.S., University of Notre Dame

Region IV

Daniel Fragel, Oklahoma State University

Region V

Calvin Diggs, M.Ed., St. Cloud State University

Region VI

Elizabeth Seal, M.A., University of California Berkeley

Canada

Megan Locker, Brock University

Creative Excellence Awards

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

Audiovisual Promotion

First Place

Where You Belong Video
Stanford Recreation and Wellness

Second Place

We Are Virginia Recreation

University of Virginia

Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication

First Place

NCCU RecWell: On the Rise (2022-2023 Annual Report)

North Carolina Central University

Second Place

Health & Wellbeing Giving Guide

University of Wisconsin Madison Recreation & Wellbeing

Integrated Marketing Campaign

First Place

You Belong at Bakke Campaign
University of Wisconsin Madison Recreation & Wellbeing

Second Place

Recreation & Wellbeing Renaming and Brand Refresh
UC Berkeley

Large Scale Signage

First Place

History Wall at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
University of Wisconsin Madison Recreation & Wellbeing

Second Place

AFC Graphics Package

University of Virginia

Programming Publication

First Place

Youth Programs Summer 2023: You Belong Here
University of Minnesota

Second Place

CSU Rec Center One Sheet
CENTERS, LLC @ Cleveland State University

Social Media Campaign

First Place

Wes Anderson Series
Florida State University

Second Place

Dad Jokes: VT Rec Sports
Virginia Tech

Student Digital Presentation

First Place

InfoMarshalls
Florida State University

Second Place

UVA Rebranding
University of Virginia

Student Publication

First Place

Student Publication (Caitlin Crooker) – Event/Program Flyers
Savannah College of Art and Design

Second Place

Campus Recreation Guidebook
Missouri State University

Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award

The Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award 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. Organizations applied in either the Open Division or in one of two Special Division categories: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion or Health & Wellbeing.

Special Division: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

First Place

NIRSA Rec Day Your Way
Georgia State University

Runner Up

Catamount Fit
Western Carolina University

Special Division: Health & Wellbeing

First Place

#YouMatterECU
East Carolina University

Open Division

Aqua Olympics
University of Northern Iowa

State of Play Series
Georgia State University

BEE Strong
Savannah College of Art and Design

Poplar Ridge Challenge Course Youth Ambassadors Exchange
University of Virginia

UCSD Recreation Trivia Nights
UC San Diego

First Gen Paddle

University of Virginia

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.

Recreation and Wellness Center
Quinnipiac University
designLab & S3 Design Inc.

Wellness and Success Center
University of Houston – Downtown
SmithGroup

Esports Center
Penn State University
HOK

Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Kahler Slater & HOK

Recreation, Wellness, and Student Life Center
Universidad de Lima
Sasaki

Erie Hall Recreation and Wellness Center
Penn State Behrend
Sasaki

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

Kevin E.S. Wilson, University of Waterloo

Laura Wood, University of Waterloo

Ryan Snelgrove, University of Waterloo

For their article titled “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.

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.

Student Award

Elyse Standard : for exceptional leadership demonstrated while serving as the Chair of the first post-pandemic Region III Student Lead On

Professional Awards

Jason Vlastaras, Texas State University: for exceptional leadership exhibited during the creation of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education ESports Programs Standards

Jacob M. Eubank, Ed.D., CUNY Lehman College: for exceptional leadership exhibited during the revision of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education Standards for Campus Recreation

Brittany Mueller, Florida State University: for outstanding commitment to the inclusion and integration of Special Olympic athletes in the NIRSA Championship Series

Maria L. Lauron-Ramos, CPACC, Princeton University: for exemplary leadership with the NIRSA Asian Caucus

Jonathan Johnston, CSAEd, CSAEd-CR, Texas A&M University-Commerce: for exemplary leadership as Chair of the NIRSA Championship Series

Stephanie Calhoun, University of Georgia: for outstanding contributions and leadership as the Flag Football Work Team Chair

Group Awards

Campus Recreation Essentials: Sports Clubs Authors

For significant contributions as an author of Campus Recreation Essentials: Sports Clubs

Adam Burke
Sheena Harvey
Andy Main
Domonique Sak
Laura Enquist

Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Collegiate Recreation Contextual Statement Editors

For exceptional dedication and effort demonstrated during the revision of the CAS Collegiate Recreation Contextual Statement and Functional Program Standards

Cindy Strine
Marci Iverson

CAS: Esports Standards Committee

For significant contributions made during the creation of the CAS Esport Program Standards

Antonio Gonzalez
Eugene Frier
Cindy Strine

Regional Awards of Merit

The Regional Awards of Merit recipients will be announced during the Regional Meetups happening on Friday, April 19 immediately following the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo education 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 announced and recognized during The Founders People of Color Social, sponsored by PLAE and Life Fitness, on Thursday, April 18.

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 2024. Award webpages will be updated with 2024 recipients in May.

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.