Congratulations to many of the 2022 NIRSA award recipients

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 Tuesday, March 29 during the NIRSA Annual Conference and Campus Rec & Wellness Expo.

Award recipient

Kevin Marbury, Ph.D., University of Oregon

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 2022 Closing General Session, on Friday, April 1.

Award Recipient

Liz Henry, University of California – San Diego

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

Brooke Donald, Towson University
Olivia Palmer, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amin Purry, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Isabela Yepes, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Region II

Spencer Cavan, James Madison University
Erin Davis, James Madison University
Eduardo Hernandez Escobar, Southern Miss Campus Recreation
Burley Johnson, University of South Carolina Aiken
Brittany Kaplan, James Madison University
Andrew Sklavounos, James Madison University

Region III

Quinn Erin Hogan, University of Notre Dame
Cameron Johnson, Cleveland State University
Dean Maloney, University of Notre Dame
Aliyah Valdez, The Ohio State University

Region IV

Allyssa Kerr, Oklahoma State University
Clifford Richardson, Oklahoma State University

Region V

Joe Hinnant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jason Johanek, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Kara Peightal, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ethan Roeder, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Brett Rowland, University of Northern Colorado
Madeline Zitek, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Region VI

Annie Breger, UC Davis
Pierce C. Desmond, UC Davis
Kaylon Draney, The University of Utah
JT (Jack-Thomas) Lee, UC Davis

Horace Moody Awards

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

Region I

Mary Kate S. Crawford, University of Maryland

Region II

Chris R. Jones, James Madison University

Region III

Matthew Altendorf, The Ohio State University

Region IV

Joseph R. Secrest, University of Houston

Region V

Greg Durham, RCRSP, Creighton University

Region VI

Gregory M. Reinhardt, Ed.D., The University of Utah

Canada

Clifford-Roy Baker, York University

Creative Excellence Awards

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

Audiovisual Promotion

First Place

Small Group Training Testimonial Video
Georgia Southern University

Second Place

Club Sports at Creighton University
Creighton University

Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication

First Place

University of Iowa Recreational Services Overview Booklet
University of Iowa

Integrated Marketing Campaign

First Place

2021 Reopening Campaign
CENTERS, LLC @ Cleveland State University

Tied Second Place

UREC’s February Frenzy
James Madison University Recreation

Tied Second Place

Nick Grand Opening
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Large Scale Signage

First Place

Large Scale Printing
Colorado State University Pueblo

Second Place

Chinook Esports Lounge
Washington State University

Programming Publication

First Place

Forces of Nature
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Second Place

Summer with the ORC
Washington State University

Social Media Campaign

First Place

Polar Bear Plunge Social Campaign
East Carolina University

Second Place

This or That
The WELL at Sacramento State

Student Digital Presentation

First Place

You Belong at UREC
James Madison University Recreation

Second Place

“Let’s Bowl!” Intramural Bowling Promo
CENTERS, LLC @ Cleveland State University

Student Publication

First Place

UW Recreation Iconic Places
UW Recreation – University of Washington

Second Place

Florida Gulf Coast University Halfway Vacay Spring Break Series Graphics
Florida Gulf Coast University

COVID Communication Campaign

First Place

Student Health Ambassadors (SHAs)
Washington University in St. Louis

Second Place

COVID Communication
Colorado State University Pueblo

NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Awards

The Outstanding Facilities Awards, sponsored by AACER Flooring, recognize excellence in the innovative designs of new, renovated, and/or expanded collegiate recreation and wellness facilities at NIRSA member institutions.

Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center

Clemson University
Cooper Carry

Zone Fitness Centre

Brock University
mcCallumSather
Aquicon Construction

Wellness and Recreation Center

NC State University
HOK and CRA Associates
Frank L. Blum Construction

Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center

Colby College
Sasaki and Hopkins Architects
Consigli Construction Co., Inc.

C.J. Huang Recreation Center

Central Connecticut State University
Sasaki
Downes Construction

Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being

Elizabethtown College
CannonDesign
High Construction

Joanne Chouinard-Luth Recreation and Wellness Center

College of the Holy Cross
CannonDesign
Dimeo Construction

Outdoor Adventure & Welcome Center

Weber State University
asj architects
Wadman Corporation

The WELL Expansion

California State University, Sacramento
HMC Architects
Swinerton

Retriever Activities Center Renewal Project

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Sasaki Associates, Inc.
Marshall Craft Associates, Inc.
Vinton Schafer & Sons, Inc.

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

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

For their article titled “Exploring Inclusion of College Students with IDD in Campus Recreation Through the Lens of Recreation Departments’ Organizational Level Stakeholders,” which appeared in Volume: 45, Issue 1 of the RSJ.

Research and Assessment Award

The Research and Assessment Award recognizes a NIRSA member who has made extraordinary contributions toward advancing research and assessment initiatives on their campus and/or for NIRSA.

Award recipient

Dr. Eric Knee, Adelphi University

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.

Professional Awards

Amanda Alpert, University of Mississippi: For extraordinary leadership and dedication to inclusion as Unified Sports Work Team Chair, and contributions to the Unified Sports resource webpage development

Jeremy Chance, formerly at The University of Kansas: For outstanding innovation and contributions in creating the Region IV conversation series, member spotlights and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Christina Galli, MS, MBA, University of California Berkeley: For visionary leadership and extensive contributions to develop resources during her term as NIRSA Student Staff Development Task Force Co-Chair

Katherine Geter, University of Arkansas: For exemplary vision and contributions to celebrate diversity and highlight industry leaders through the ‘Pioneering the way’ and ‘Women making history’ NIRSA article series

Student Awards

Tanika Santos MacSwain, Virginia Commonwealth University: For exceptional leadership, dedication and innovation to engage students as NIRSA Student Leader

Group Awards

NIRSA Health & Wellbeing Task Force

For strategically advancing health and wellbeing initiatives, conversations, resources, and practices with NIRSA members and partners

George Brown, Ph.D
Darcie Burde
Stacy Connell
Cindy Cowden
Josh Downing
Shannon DuPree
Marci Iverson
Karina Knutson
Dax Kuykendall
Erinn McMahan
Peter Mumford

NIRSA Championship Series Soccer ‘Train the Trainer’ Planning Team

For the innovative planning and implementation of a new professional development opportunity in an area of need.
Veronica Ballinger
Robert Bruner
Stephanie Calhoun
Michael Castaneda
Nicole Green
Shana Kessler
Ashley Lax
Heather Marshall
Amy Ramras
Amy Rask
Sylvain Tchaptchet
Laura Whiteley

Regional Awards of Merit

The Regional Awards of Merit recipients will be unveiled during the Regional Meetups happening on Tuesday, March 29, immediately following the Opening General Session. 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 unveiled and recognized during The Founders People of Color Social, sponsored by PLAE and Life Fitness, on Wednesday, March 30.

Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award

The recipient of the Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award will be announced and celebrated at the NIRSA Annual Conference and Campus Rec & Wellness Expo.

Stay tuned to NIRSA news for recap details

An additional article recognizing recipients revealed during the conference week will debut after conference. Award webpages will be updated with 2022 recipients in April.

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