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NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Awards

Celebrating design and construction

The NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Awards recognize the innovative designs of new, renovated, or expanded collegiate recreational facilities of NIRSA member institutions.

Winning facilities are considered a standard by which other collegiate recreational facilities should be measured, and from which others can benefit.

Application period is CLOSED.

The application period happens in the fall of each year.

Application Information

Other Information

Celebrate your exceptional facility by submitting an application for the NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Awards. Awards are conferred to institutions for facilities that have been built or renovated in the previous year and a half. Please review the eligibility requirements for more details.

Awards will honor facilities that demonstrate excellence in a number of critical areas, including architectural design, functionality, and how well the facility meets its intended purpose. Winning facilities exemplify the institution’s commitment to providing the higher education experience desired and valued by students.

Eligibility

The school being nominated for the award must be a current NIRSA institutional member
Project must be a new construction or an expansion/renovation
Project must have been opened between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2026
The Recreation Department must be a main member of the facility
Both indoor and outdoor submissions will be accepted.

Facilities that have won the award in the past are now eligible to apply for the award again but must meet all general eligibility standards above as well as the following criteria:

The facility must be at least 10 years removed from winning the award previously
If the project is a renovation, approximately 50% of the original space must be affected and the renovation must show significant change to the space. Significant change should be addressed in the executive summary,
including information about the change/benefit to the program and details about what the renovation added to the space that was not previously available
If no renovation is done, the project must include an expansion of approximately 50% of the square footage of the original facility

Selection Criteria

The Outstanding Facilities Award Committee, evaluates each facility for its architectural design, functionality, and how well it meets its intended purpose. Facilities are judged in the following areas:

Correlation to Campus Master Plan & Mission
Intended and Actual Impact on the Recreational Program
Unique Aesthetic of Architectural Features
Relationship Between Facility Design & Staffing
Innovative Construction Materials or Methods
Sustainable Features
Technological Benefits for Customer, Staff, and/or Budget

Please note: The most successful applications are completed with representation from both the institution and the architectural firm or representative. Information regarding the construction project details and the impact on recreational programs and services should be combined to provide a well thought out, collaborative application.

Award Recipients

2025-2020

These awards honor facilities that demonstrate excellence in a number of critical areas, including architectural design, functionality, and how well the facility meets its intended purpose. Winning facilities exemplify the institution’s commitment to providing the higher education experience desired and valued by students.

This section is under construction and will be updated soon!

Entry Fee & Payment Information

Application fee: $290/entry

Payment can be made online using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit cards.

A link for payment can be found following the submission of the application.

Applications are not considered complete until payment is received.

If you wish to pay with a credit card via telephone or by check, please contact our Billing Coordinator at 541-766-8211 after submitting your application.