By Christine Haluzak
Both NIRSA and the field of collegiate recreation have their standards of excellence advanced by the passion, drive, and dedication of some truly amazing individuals and institutions.
So, each year, NIRSA is excited to recognize some of its extraordinary members with a variety of well-deserved awards. The Association would like to congratulate all of these inspiring members for their contributions to NIRSA and the field!
Honor Award
The highest distinction conveyed by the Association, the NIRSA Honor Award is presented each year to a member for outstanding achievement in the profession.
Award recipient: Michael “Mick” Deluca, RCRSP, CRSS – UCLA
NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award
Awarded in appreciation of his contributions of time, talent, and treasure to the NIRSA Foundation.
Award recipient: Will Holsberry, CRSS – Emeritus, Oregon State University
NIRSA Annual Service Awards
Professional Awards
Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts various NIRSA professional members have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year. The 2016 award recipients include:
Jennifer Gudaz – Cornell University
For her leadership in developing a new model for the Member Network Chair and her outstanding passion and dedication serving in that role.
Laura Hall – University of California, Davis
For her outstanding dedication and passion as program Co-Chair of the 2015 NIRSA Annual Conference.
Stephanie McAlpine – The University of Texas at Arlington
For her outstanding leadership and dedication as Chair of the NIRSA Championship Series Executive Committee.
Mila L. Padgett – University of South Carolina Aiken
For her dedication and passion serving a fourth year as member of the NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation Faculty.
Nicole Olmeda, M.Ed. – The University of Texas at Austin
For her exemplary leadership as Chair and advancing the curriculum of the NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation and significant contributions to NIRSA’s research and assessment projects.
Student Awards
Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts various NIRSA student members have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year. The 2016 award recipient is:
Jessica Adkisson – University of Colorado Boulder
For her outstanding leadership as the Region III Student Leader and her service to the students of NIRSA.
Group Awards
Awarded in appreciation of the considerable efforts a group of NIRSA leaders have made to further the collegiate recreation field this past year. The 2016 award recipients are members of the:
NIRSA Flag Football Rules Book Editorial Board Work Team
Jason Gant, RCRSP – Creighton University
Nicole Green – University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Kurt Klier, CRSS, RCRSP – University of Maryland-College Park
For their exemplary leadership and significant contributions to the development of an editorial board for the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book & Officials’ Manual.
Regional Awards of Merit
These awards acknowledge the exceptional performance and dedication of NIRSA members to their NIRSA regions.
Region I
Jennifer Gudaz – Cornell University
Region II
Tom Roberts, CRSS – University of Richmond
Region III
Rin Seibert, CRSS – Valparaiso University
Region IV
Laurie Braden, RCRSP, CRSS – Louisiana State University
Region V
Erin Patchett, RCRSP, CRSS – Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Region VI
Mike Weinberger – University of California, Berkeley
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.
Region I
Lindsay Bay – Mount St. Mary’s University
Rachel Jones – Rutgers University
Rustin McNiff – SUNY: The College at Brockport
Annie Paguaga – Mount St. Mary’s University
Megan Silvey – Boston College
Sara Sturzo – University of New Hampshire
Region II
Cybbi Barton – Western Kentucky University
Lane Embry – Western Kentucky University
Christopher Harpe – University of North Carolina Wilmington
Hannah Houston – James Madison University
Jonathan Reed – University of Southern Mississippi
Yasmin Shahkarami – James Madison University
Region III
Parker Anderson – The Ohio State University
Brandon Barnes – The University of Akron
Krista Bonikowske – The Ohio State University
Meadow Jackson – University of Notre Dame
Region IV
Tori Allmendinger – Oklahoma State University
Jayna Evans – Sam Houston State University
Carol Gibbon – Wichita State University
Region V
Kelsey Appleby – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jonathan Berger – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Seth Hoscheit – Minnesota State University Mankato
Seth Schafersman – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tiffany Wieser – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ashley Wylde – Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Region VI
Daniel Espinoza-Gonzalez – Seattle University
Marisella Gonzalez – Arizona State University
Heather Higashi – Seattle University
Dallas Jordan – University of California-Davis
Rebekah Sanders – Seattle University
Arianna Warner – Portland State University
Horace Moody Awards
These awards recognize outstanding students who are actively involved with the Department of Recreational Sports on their university or college campus.
Region I
Jason Incorvati – University of Massachusetts Amherst
Region II
Kelly Ator – Clemson University
Region III
Aaron Hobson – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Region IV
Jonathan L. Elliott – University of Arkansas
Region V
Deb Johnson – University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
DJ Mackie – Washington State University
Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards
These awards, sponsored by NIRSA associate member Aacer Flooring, recognize excellence in newly-constructed, renovated, or expanded recreational sports facilities at NIRSA member institutions. The 2016 award-year also recognizes outstanding outdoor sports facilities opened between 2013 and 2015.
The University of Alabama’s Student Activity Center at Presidential Village
Architect: TMP Architecture, Inc. and Williams Blackstock Architects
Cal Poly Pomona’s Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex
Architect: LPA, Inc.
California State University, Northridge’s Oasis Wellness Center
Architect: LPA, Inc.
The University of Colorado Boulder’s Student Recreation Center
Architect: CannonDesign
Georgia State University’s Indian Creek Recreation Area
Architect: Signature Research Inc
Kennesaw State University’s Dr. Betty L. Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center
Architect: Hughes Group Architects
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis’s Campus Rec Outdoor Facility at Lockefield Green
Architect: Landstory Landscape Architecture/Planning
The University of Manitoba’s Active Living Centre
Architect: Cibinel Architects Ltd + Batteriid Architects
The SUNY Cortland Student Life Center
Architect: Hastings+Chivetta Architects and NELSON
Bowling Green State University’s Student Recreation Center
Architect: The Collaborative
The University of Oregon’s Student Recreation Center Expansion and Renovation
Architect: Robertson Sherwood and RDG Planning & Design PC
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s RecSports Field Complex at Sutherland
Architect: Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, Inc.
University of Utah George S. Eccles Student Life Center
Architect: Hastings+Chivetta Architects
Creative Excellence Awards
These awards focus on outstanding marketing and advertising materials published by NIRSA membership.
Audiovisual Promotion
First Place
Water Woman
California State University, Chico
Second Place
Get to Know Campus Rec
Portland State University
Third Place
PEAK Summer Camp Commercial
Kent State University
Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication
First Place
UNL Outdoor Adventures Guide 2015-16
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Second Place
Campus Recreation Playbook
Illinois State University
Third Place
MizzouRec NATION Spring 2015 Issue
University of Missouri
Integrated Marketing Campaign
First Place
Chinook Student Center Referendum
Washington State University
Second Place
Pac 12 Fitness Challenge
University of Colorado Boulder
Third Place
2014 ORSA State Workshop Marketing Campaign
CENTERS, LLC @ Cleveland State University
Large Scale Signage
First Place
Clark’s Boxing Gym & Stalcup’s Garage
University of Missouri
Second Place
Intramurals Champions Wall
Washington State University
Third Place
HIIT Zone Signage/Mural
Illinois State University
Programming Publication
First Place
Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball 2014-2015 Season Materials
University of Missouri
Second Place
2015 WellFest Marketing Campaign Posters
CENTERS, LLC @ Cleveland State University
Third Place
Hokie World Games Promotional Material
Virginia Tech
Student Digital Presentation
First Place
So, You Registered For…
University of Florida
Second Place
#LiveInMotion Social Media Photo Challenge
University of Florida
Third Place
BGSU Recreation and Wellness Through the Years – A Digital Timeline
Bowling Green State University
Student Publication
First Place
BRIC Virtual Tour
Associated Students, Inc., Cal Poly Pomona
Second Place
Intramural Sports 365
University of Florida
Third Place
UTSA Campus Recreation 2014-2015 Program Guide
University of Texas at San Antonio
Sustainable Marketing
First Place
SHSU Hosts the Texas Outdoor Leadership Conference
Sam Houston State University
Second Place
Fix A Flat Day
California State University, Chico
Website
First Place
recsports.ufl.edu
University of Florida
Second Place
Website Redesign/Relaunch
University of Texas at San Antonio
Third Place
BGSU Recreation and Wellness Website
Bowling Green State University
Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award
This award recognizes the outstanding leadership of a NIRSA professional member.
Award recipient: David Davenport – Austin Peay State University
NIRSA/USTA Tennis Ace Awards
Honor NIRSA institutional, professional, and student members who have implemented NIRSA-endorsed Tennis On Campus programs, and recognize efforts to grow recreational tennis participation.
Professional
National Winner
Laura Thomas – Texas Tech University
Finalist
Kelsey Edge – Purdue University
Institutional
National Winner
DePaul University
Runner-up
UCLA
Recreational Sports Journal Award
This award recognizes excellence in writing from contributing authors to the NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal.
Award recipient: Scott Forrester, PhD – Brock University
For his April, 2015 article: “Benefits of Collegiate Recreational Sports Participation: Results from the 2013 NASPA Assessment and Knowledge Consortium Study.”
Research and Assessment Award
This award recognizes a NIRSA member who has made extraordinary contributions toward advancing research and assessment initiatives on their campus, for NIRSA, or both. The 2016 award recipient is:
Karina Wittmann – University of North Dakota
For her outstanding efforts and service in advancing research and assessment in the field of collegiate recreation.
Most nominations forms will open in the fall of 2016 for most 2017 awards—award timelines can be found on the NIRSA website. For more information about NIRSA awards, please contact Christine Haluzak, NIRSA Director of Membership and Leadership Programs.