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 Thursday, March 23 during the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo.
Award recipient
Kathleen Hatch, Kansas State University
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 2023 Closing General Session on Sunday, March 26.
Award Recipient
Laurie Braden, Louisiana State University
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.
Canada Region
Lauryn Rogers, University of Windsor
Region I
Curtis J. Richall, University of Rhode Island
Phoebe Kurniawan, University of Maryland
James Davis, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Olay Ajayi, Cornell University
Jake Novick, Towson University
Kaylyn Carlucci, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Region II
Tim Groth, James Madison University
Shaina Reins, East Tennessee State University
Delaney Carrick, James Madison University
Chandler Bagwell, James Madison University
William Burton, James Madison University
Isabelle Flugrad, James Madison University
Region III
Mattison Interian, University of Notre Dame
Matilda Smolij, University of Cincinnati
Region IV
Brittany Close, Oklahoma State University
Isaac Estrada, Oklahoma State University
Region V
Brynn Fuelberth, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Hattie Roberts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bethany Meyers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sophia Thomas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Eric Gunderson, University of Minnesota Duluth
Kinna Arp, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
Sophia Pienta, UC Davis
Olivia Badalamenti, UC Davis
Rachel Vermeltfoort, University of Utah
Jacob Parker, Seattle University
Zachary Gaziano Smith, Seattle University
Horace Moody Awards
The Horace Moody Awards recognize an outstanding commitment to student development.
Region I
Dan Bennett, Princeton University
Region II
Jenny Larson, Elon University
Region III
Savon Williams, University of Notre Dame
Region IV
Kasey Gonzalez, Trinity University
Region V
Jeremy McKendall, University of Wyoming
Region VI
Ben Burnham, Boise State University
Canada
Bjorn Billehaug, Mount Royal University
Creative Excellence Awards
The Creative Excellence Awards focus on outstanding marketing and advertising materials published by NIRSA membership.
Audiovisual Promotion
First Place
Getting to Know Gainesville
University of Florida
Second Place
About University of Washington Recreation
University of Washington- Recreation
Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication
First Place
Duke Rec & P.E. Department Guide
Duke University
Second Place
2021-2022 Annual Report: Virginia Tech Rec Sports
Virginia Tech Recreational Sports
Integrated Marketing Campaign
First Place
Sport Clubs at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Recreational Sports
Second Place
Cougar Kids Camp
Washington State University
Large Scale Signage
First Place
The World in Motion One Gator at a Time Mural
University of Florida
Second Place
Outdoor Recreation Center Branding
Washington State University
Programming Publication
First Place
Youth Programs Summer 2022: Better Together
University of Minnesota
Second Place
FAU Fitness- Monthly Specialty Calendar
Florida Atlantic University- Campus Recreation
Social Media Campaign
First Place
Student Employee Appreciation Week
Florida State University
Second Place
Mic’d Up Intramural Sports Campaign
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
Student Digital Presentation
First Place
Dalton’s Trippin’
Jacksonville State University (CENTERS, LLC)
Second Place
Group Exercise Promotional Video
University of Central Florida
Student Publication
First Place
Group Fit Club
The WELL at Sacramento State
Second Place
VT Rec Sports Pocket Schedule & Programming Guide
Virginia Tech Recreational Sports
Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award
This marks the inaugural year for the Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award, which 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. The award consists of two categories: Special Division and Open Division. For 2023 submissions, the Special Division is focused on health and wellbeing and equity, diversity, and inclusion while the Open Division is focused on campus rec programming within rec centers.
Special Division
First Place
Amplify Campaign
UNC Charlotte
Runner Up
Sip & Paint
James Madison University
Open Division
Using Streaming and Digital Media to Propel Growth in Club Sports
Robert Morris University
Rec Recess
Campus and Community Recreation
University of Alberta
Women’s Only Workouts & Empower Hour
Arizona State University
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.
UMass Recreation Turf Fields
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Woodard & Curran, Inc.
Rec Deck
Florida Gulf Coast University
Harvard Jolly Architecture
Monarch Esports Arena
Old Dominion University
Moseley Architects
Aztec Recreation Center
Associated Students
San Diego State University
SmithGroup
Toldo Lancer Centre
University of Windsor
CS&P Architects Inc
Southside Rec Center
Texas A&M University
SmithGroup
Recreational Sports Outdoor Program Pool
University of Minnesota Duluth
Architectural Resource 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
Samantha L Powers, George Mason University
Oliver W.A. Wilson, Victoria University of Wellington
Melissa Bopp, Pennsylvania State University
For their article titled “Challenges faced and solutions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic among North American college campus recreation staff,” which appeared in Volume: 46, 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.
Professional Awards
Matthew R. Dunigan, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona: for exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Chair of the Club Basketball Work Team
Emily Patterson, Texas A&M University-College Station: For exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Director of Tournament Experience and Logistics at the 2021 NIRSA National Soccer Championships
Dexter Shorter, Ed.D., Pennsylvania State University- University Park: For exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Chair of the Basketball Work Team
Nikki Vance, University of Oregon: For exemplary leadership and dedication to the NIRSA Championship Series as Chair of the Esports Task Force
Group Awards
Campus Recreation Essentials: Intramural Authors
For significant contributions as an author of Campus Recreation Essentials: Intramurals
Amanda Alpert Jessee
Jonathan Johnston
Kevin “K-Mart” Martin Sr.
Campus Recreation Essentials: Student Staff Training & Development Authors
For significant contributions as an author of Campus Recreation Essentials: Student Staff Training and Development
Matthew J. Altendorf, MA
Chris Bullard
Katie Burns, M.Ed.
Elizabeth Seal, MA
Christina Galli, MS, MBA
Jenny Larson
NIRSA Championship Series Social Justice Task Force
For demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by serving on the NIRSA Championship Series Social Justice Task Force
Jamaica L. Cannon
Jasmine Mayes-Browning
Nicholas D’Amato
David Podschun
Kristofer Newsome
Isaac Hughes
Heather Marshall
Jasmine I. Holmes
Mirum Washington-White, CRSS, RCRSP
NIRSA JDEI Climate Study Steering Committee
For demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion by serving on the NIRSA JDEI Climate Study Steering Committee
Andrea L. Snead
Cara Lucia, PhD
David Davenport
Domonique Sak
Jasmine I. Holmes
Rachael “Roach” Finley, M.S.
Todd M Bauch
Dr. Iisha D. Voltz
Victoria R. Lopez-Herrera
Gender & Trans Inclusion in Collegiate Recreation Webinar Series Planners
For exceptional dedication and execution during the planning of the Gender & Trans Inclusion in Collegiate Recreation webinar series
Wendy B. Motch-Ellis
Lauren Brown
Allie J. Bogard, M.S., RCRSP
Amber Mateer
Regional Awards of Merit
The Regional Awards of Merit recipients will be unveiled during the Regional Meetups happening on Friday, March 24, immediately following the ed 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 unveiled and recognized during The Founders People of Color Social, sponsored by PLAE and Life Fitness, on Friday, March 24.
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 2023. Award webpages will be updated with 2023 recipients in April.
Again, congratulations to this year’s NIRSA Award recipients—true leaders in campus recreation!
Rachel Marcella is currently the Membership & Leadership Coordinator at NIRSA.
