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 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. New this year, the Honor Award will be presented during the Opening General Session.

Award recipient

Eric Nickel, James Madison University

See related: “Eric Nickel is the 2020 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 at the Closing General Session.

Award Recipient

Robert M. Golson, Jr., CRSS, James Madison University

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

Niletta Burton, Rider University
Savannah Kirtley, Towson University
Christian Montenegro, Cornell University
CJ Rhan, Cornell University

Region II

Corey Acord, West Virginia University
Leah Bataille, James Madison University
Hayley Robb, Western Kentucky University
Jordan Robinson, University of Georgia
Courtney Smith, UNC Greensboro
Brian Tran, James Madison University 

Region III

Sarina Routowicz, Western Michigan University
Elizabeth Stitzel, Loyola University Chicago 

Region IV

Anaelle Sure, Texas A&M University – Commerce

Region V

Julie Johnson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Kenzi Johnson, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Irvin Ramirez-Benavides, University of Nebraska – Lincoln 

Region VI

Emma Federico, Seattle University
Malia Nakamura, Seattle University
Marine Vasseur, Seattle University
Christina White, University of California, Davis 

Canada

Kevin Wilson, University of Windsor

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

Scott Flickinger, Cornell University

Region II

Daniel Renfro, University of South Florida

Region III

Todd Dion, University of Notre Dame

Region IV

Andrew Bruni, Centers, LLC at University of Missouri – St. Louis

Region V

Mallory Valentine, University of Iowa

Region VI

Troy Vaughn, CRSS, University of Arizona

Canadian Region

Jordan Robinson, Centennial College

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.

NIRSA’s Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards are sponsored by AACER.

William H. Bell Athletic Center

Trinity University
Marmon Mok Architecture

Recreation and Fitness Center

Jacksonville State University
Moody Nolan

Dr. Jesse C. and Dorothy J. Fletcher Fitness Center

Hardin-Simmons University
Parkhill, Smith & Cooper

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

Welcome to the Leach | FSU Gym Walkthrough
Florida State University  

Second Place

CSUB SRC Stories
California State University, Bakersfield

Third Place

UREC Outdoors Rio Grande Adventure Documentary Short Film
University of Arkansas

Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication

First Place

Move With RecWell Faculty Staff Print Piece
University of Maryland, College Park

Second Place

Campus Recreation Annual Report FY 18
UMass Lowell 

Third Place

Campus Recreation 2019-20 Calendar
UMass Lowell

Integrated Marketing Campaign

First Place

Project Positive 2019
Seattle University Recreation

Second Place

Bengal Bouts 2019
University of Notre Dame

Third Place

Shine Well
CENTERS, LLC @ Cleveland State University

Large Scale Signage

First Place

Re-Brand Facility Signage
Seattle University

Second Place

Shooting Sports Education Center Large Signage
Georgia Southern University

Third Place

Celebrating Our Diversity: International Flags Display
The University of Arizona, Campus Recreation

Programming Publication

First Place

Outdoor Recreation Programming Campaign
Sam Houston State University

Second Place

SOAR
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Third Place

Outdoor Rec Brochure
Iowa State University

Social Media Campaign

First Place

Champ Night
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Second Place

Guess What Day It Is? REC DAY
California State University, Bakersfield

Third Place

@UCFRWC Instagram Transformation
University of Central Florida

Student Digital Presentation

First Place

Pride Month 2019
University of Maryland, College Park

Second Place

Radical Self Love
Colorado State University

Third Place

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace (LNT): Video Series
Grand Valley State University

Student Publication

First Place

First-year Student Poster Series
Colorado State University

Second Place

Polar Bearkat Plunge
Sam Houston State University

Third Place

UCF Outdoor Adventure Patagonia Trip
University of Central Florida

Website

First Place

Iowa State Website Redesign
Iowa State University

Second Place

BUBeWell website
Butler University

Third Place

NIRSA Flag Football Championship Program
University of West Florida

NIRSA/USTA Tennis Ace Awards

Professional

Adam Richman, University of Alabama

Institutional

Indiana State University

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 Annual Meeting of Members.

Award recipients

Leeann M. Lower-Hoppe, PhD, The Ohio State University
Megan L. Parietti, PhD, University of Wisconsin – Parkside
Andrew Czekanski, PhD, Coastal Carolina University

For their Volume 43, No. 1, 2019 article titled “Current Priorities in Campus Recreation: A Multi-Institutional Study of Strategic Plans.”

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. This award recipient is recognized during the Annual Meeting of Members.

Award recipient

Todd Misener, PhD, Oklahoma State University

NIRSA Annual Service Awards

These 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. The NIRSA Annual Service Awards will be presented to recipients during the Closing General Session.

Student Awards

Alyssa Moncrief, Texas A & M – Corpus Christi
Caroline Ayers Ciell, The University of Alabama 

Professional Awards

Randall Ford, The University of Texas at Austin
David Bowles, University of Florida
Andrew C. Doyle, Southern New Hampshire University
Jenna Smith, The University of Western Ontario 

Group Awards

Faculty of the Aspiring Directors Workshops

Maureen McGonagle, CRSS, CENTERS, LLC at DePaul University
Stan Shingles, CRSS, Central Michigan University
Eric Nickel, CRSS, James Madison University
Laura Hall, Penn State University
Lisa Stuppy, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Robyn Deterding, CRSS, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
David Bowles, CRSS, University of Florida

NIRSA Championship Series Long-Term Vision Task Force (Series 2.0)

Amanda Deml, Seattle University
Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ben David Strunk, NC State University
Brooke Turner, University of Alabama
Dan Hazlett, Georgia Institute of Technology
David Peters, RCRSP, Florida State University
Gene Sherry, Georgia Southern University
Jacob Tingle, CRSS, EdD, Trinity University
Mark A. Williams, University of Notre Dame
Marty Dempsey, University of Florida
Scott Flickinger, Cornell University
Stephanie McAlpine, University of Texas at Arlington
Randall Ford, CRSS, University of Texas at Austin

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. 

Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award

This award recipient will be recognized during the NSC Social.

 

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

 

  • For more information, please contact NIRSA Leadership Programs Coordinator Chelsea Hansson.
Leadership Programs Coordinator at NIRSA | NIRSA Profile

Chelsea Hansson is the Leadership Programs Coordinator at NIRSA.