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 OregonSee 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 IAndrew Havrisko, Rowan University Region IICaroline Ciell Richman, University of Florida Region IIIDrew Loso, M.S., University of Notre Dame Region IVDaniel Fragel, Oklahoma State University Region VCalvin Diggs, M.Ed., St. Cloud State University Region VIElizabeth Seal, M.A., University of California Berkeley CanadaMegan 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!
