Page 323 - (FINAL!) UPDATED 13.0) 2020-2021 HANDBOOK - SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION_Neat

NJCAA HONORS

The NJCAA annually recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves on a national level through service, merit or achievement. The
Committee on Service and Recognition is responsible for receiving nominations and recommending qualified candidates to the Board of Directors for
final selection.
1. Nominations for awards must be made to the Chairperson of the Committee on Service and Recognition no later than December 1. To be
considered, nominations must be in written narrative form, between 50-350 words, contain full biographical information about the candidate and
should carry the approval of the respective Regional Director.
2. Candidates not selected during the year they are first nominated may be considered the following year.
3. Awards may be made posthumously; however, it is hoped that insofar as possible, deserving persons may be identified and honored in person.

4. The Achievement Award is given to those who have displayed outstanding athletic ability in national, Olympic or international competition, and who
possess excellent ethical character. The nominee must be out of a member college five years before eligible for nominations. (Three of these
awards may be given annually.)
5. The Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award is given to those, most often not an athlete, who have made significant contributions to junior college athletics
on a national level for an extended period of time. Each year, one of the Service Awards is reserved for a member of the media. If there is not a
qualified candidate from the media another qualified candidate may be considered. (Four of these awards may be given annually.)

6. The Loyalty Award is given to an active Athletic Director at a member college who has worked to uphold the ideals of the NJCAA. Significant to this
award is leadership in an athletic program exemplifying excellence both on the field and in the classroom. (One of these awards may be given
annually.)
7. The Merit Award is given to former junior college athletes who have distinguished themselves and are recognized nationally for their achievements
in a variety of appropriate fields. (Three of these awards may be given annually.)

8. The Reed K. Swenson Leadership Award is given to outstanding Americans who have contributed in general to the intercollegiate athletic scene.
9. The Appreciation Award may be given to individuals and institutions at the discretion of the President & CEO of the NJCAA.
10. The George E. Killian Award of Excellence is given to individuals dedicated to the ideals of volunteerism, achievement, service, leadership and
excellence as exemplified by the namesake of this award.
a. Open to all Regional Directors, Assistant Regional Directors, Coaches Association Presidents, Presidential Representatives and Officers
with a minimum of two years of service to the NJCAA.
b. Two recipients named annually.
c. $500 stipend to be awarded to the recipient’s region.
d. Selection is based on timeliness and assistance to the NJCAA National Office in relation to: sport committees, polls, All- American
nominations, committee service, active involvement, Championship Host and Tournament Representative.
11. NJCAA Annual Awards
a. Created in the spring of 2020, the NJCAA Annual Awards honor three distinct categories across the association - Athletic Director of
the Year, Sports Information Director of the Year, and Athletic Trainer of the Year. These awards represent individuals who strive to
create the optimal student-athlete experience on their campus while also performing duties that go far beyond the institutional level.
One nominee is selected per category each year and are honored at the annual NJCAA Convention.
b. Criteria is based on the previous calendar year (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)

A complete history and listing of each award is available online at

www.njcaa.org/awards/honors