NIRSA’s premier publication, through the generous support of donors to the NIRSA Foundation, recognizes authors for their important scholarly contributions in the field of collegiate recreation.
Much of the content of Recreational Sports Journal (RSJ) comes directly from NIRSA professionals conducting research in the field of collegiate recreation. Each year, the RSJ editorial board recognizes authors with The President’s Award for the Article of Distinction for writing exceptional articles published in one of the two issues of the RSJ . Recipients are acknowledged with a certificate and given a $500 honorarium.
Eligibility
To be eligible, individuals must have published an original article in the previous year’s Recreational Sports Journal.
Selection Criteria
The following selection criteria is used by the selection committee which is comprised of RSJ Editorial Board members:
- The article should appeal to a wide range of the NIRSA membership.
- The article should be substantiated by existing or new research, rather than just the author’s opinion or experience.
- The article should contribute to the base of knowledge in the field of collegiate recreation.
- The readership should find the information presented to be intellectually stimulating and/or challenging to the existing methods of thought and application.
- The article should motivate the readership to implement the new information and/or encourage additional research on the subject material.
Previous Recipients
2024
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.
Kevin E.S. Wilson, University of Waterloo
Laura Wood, University of Waterloo
Ryan Snelgrove, University of Waterloo
2023
Challenges faced and solutions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic among North American college campus recreation staff. (2022) Vol. 46, No. 1
Samantha L Powers, George Mason University
Oliver W.A. Wilson, Victoria University of Wellington
Melissa Bopp, Pennsylvania State University
2022
Exploring Inclusion of College Students With IDD in Campus Recreation Through the Lens of Recreation Departments’ Organizational Level Stakeholders. (2021) Vol. 25, No. 1
Lindsey R. Oakes, Texas State University
Tracy R. Nichols, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Stuart J. Schleien, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Robert W. Strack, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Jeffrey J. Milroy, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
2021
Examining work experiences among collegiate recreation employees. (2020) Vol. 44, No. 1
Colin Lopez, Temple University
Elizabeth Taylor, PhD, Temple University
Gareth Jones, PhD, Temple University
Matt Huml, PhD, University of Cincinnati
Daniel Funk, PhD, Temple University
2020
Current Priorities in Campus Recreation:
A Multi-Institutional Study of Strategic Plans. (2019) Vol. 43, No. 1
Leeann M. Lower-Hoppe, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Megan L. Parietti, Ph.D.,University of Wisconsin- Parkside
W. Andrew Czekanski, Ph.D., Coastal Carolina University
2019
Assessing College Students’ Use of Campus Recreation Facilities Through Individual and Environmental Factors. (2018) Vol. 42, No. 2
Hassan Shaikh, J.D., Kirkland & Ellis
Megan Patterson, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, College Station
Beth Lanning, Ph.D., Baylor University
M. Renee Umstattd Meyer, Ph.D., Baylor University
Clint Patterson, Ed.D., Texas A&M University, College Station
2018
I use the Student Recreation Center, but I would use it more if…: Understanding male and female constraints to Student Recreation Center Use. (2017) Vol. 41, No. 1
Christopher L. Stankowski, M.S., The University of Texas at Arlington
Nate E. Trauntvein, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
Stacey L. Hall, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
2017
Title IX and campus recreation: Guidelines to increase gender equity in club and intramural sport programs. (2016) Vol. 40, No. 2
Jacqueline McDowell, Ph.D., George Mason University
Erin Morris, Ph.D., SUNY Cortland
Robyn Deterding, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Terrence Elmore, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Edward Morford, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2016
Benefits of collegiate recreational sports participation: Results from the 2013 NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium study. (2015) Vol. 39, No.1
Scott Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University
2015
Academic success and retention: The role of recreational sports fitness facilities. (2014) Vol. 37, No. 2
Samantha J. Deere, Ph.D., Saginaw Valley State University
James Pivarnik, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Richard N. McNeil, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Ira J. Washington, Ph.D., Michigan State University
2014
Collegiate recreation participation and retention. (2013) Vol. 37, No. 2
Stephen Kampf, Ph.D., Bowling Green State University
Eric J. Teske, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
2013
An examination of variables related to student employment in campus recreation programs. (2012) Vol. 36, No. 2
James E. Johnson, Ed.D., Ball State University
Ashlee N. Kaiser, Ball State University
Robert J. Bell, Ph.D.
2012
The contribution of campus recreational sports participation to perceived sense of campus community. (2011) Vol. 35, No. 1
Daniel J. Elkins, Ph.D., Illinois State University
Scott A. Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University
Amelia V. Noël-Elkins, Ph.D. Illinois State University
2011
Service quality and satisfaction within campus recreation: The moderating role of identification. (2010) Vol. 34, No. 1
David Shonk, Ph.D., James Madison University
Peter DeMichele, Ph.D., James Madison University
2010
Comparison of health and academic indices between campus recreation facility users and nonusers. (2009) Vol. 33, No. 1
M. Kent Todd, Ph.D., James Madison University
Julie Wallace Carr, Ed.D., James Madison University
Greg Czyszczon, James Madison University
Casey Pratt, James Madison University
2009
The college recreational sports learning environment. (2008) Vol. 32, No. 1
Danell Haines, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Tyler Fortman, The Ohio State University
2008
Campus recreational sports internships: A comparison of student and employer perspectives. (2007) Vol. 31, No. 1
Craig Ross, Ph.D., Indiana University
Brent Beggs, Ph.D., Illinois State University
2007
Student attitudes toward sports and fitness activities after graduation. (2006) Vol. 30, No. 2
Scott Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University
Christopher Arterberry, DePaul University
Robert Barcelona, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
2006
Overcoming barriers to participation in campus recreational sports. (2005) Vol. 29, No. 2
Brent Beggs, Ph.D., Illinois State University
Daniel J. Elkins, Ph.D., Illinois State University
Shawn Powers, M.S., Peoria Park District
2005
Differences in leadership development of club sports officials. (2004) Vol. 28, No. 1
Stacey Hall-Yannessa, M.S., Indiana University
Scott Forrester, Ph.D., Brock University
Changes in students’ recreation activities, satisfaction and perceived following the construction of a new recreation facility. (2004) Vol. 28, No. 2
James C. Turman, Ph.D., University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
Darwin D. Hendel, Ph.D., University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
2004
Perceived constraints by college students to participation in campus recreational sports programs. (2003) Vol. 27, No. 2
Sarah J. Young, Ph.D., Indiana University
Craig M. Ross, Re.D., Indiana University
Robert J. Barcelona, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
2003
Participation patterns in campus recreational sports: An examination of quality of student effort from 1983 to 1998. (2002) Vol. 26 No. 1
Robert J. Barcelona, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
Craig M. Ross, Re.D., University of New Hampshire
Campus recreation participation, health, and quality of life. (2002) Vol. 26, No. 2
Gary D. Ellis, Ph.D., University of Utah
Mary Bohlig, M.A., University of Utah
David M. Compton, Ed.D., University of Utah
Briget Tyson, M.A., University of Utah
2002
Undergraduate student benefits from university recreation. (2001) Vol. 25, No. 1
Danell J. Haines, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Craig M. Ross, Re.D., University of New Hampshire
Web technology in recreational sports. (2001) Vol. 25, No. 2
Craig M. Ross, Re.D., North Carolina State University
Scott Forrester, M.S., North Carolina State University
2001
Assessment of programs and services. (2000) Vol. 24, No. 1
Gary L. Miller, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana
Mindy Miron Basi, Drobny Program
Jesse A. Clements, M.S., University of Illinois at Urbana
Cheryl Davis Bullock, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana
Recreational sports trends for the 21-century: Results of a Delphi study. (2000) Vol. 24, No. 2
Sarah J. Young, Ph.D., University of Nevada in Las Vegas
Craig M. Ross, Re.D., Indiana University
2000
Student learning and grow resulting from service as an intramural official. (1999) Vol. 23, No. 2
John H. Schuh, Ph.D.. Iowa State University
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