Wilmington, NC, September 17, 2008 - This year, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) will honor Dr. Kelly Hart, Springfield College (Division III), as one of its eight Administrator of the Year Award recipients. Joining Hart are seven other very special women, each of whom has provided outstanding administration in intercollegiate athletics. Recipients of the award include Barbara Burke (for work at University of Wyoming-Division I Football Bowl Subdivision), Dr. M. Dianne Murphy (Columbia University- Division I Football Championship Subdivision), Athena Argyropoulos (American University-Division I Non-Football), Lynn Griffin (University of Indianapolis-Division II), Debby DeAngelis (California State University, East Bay-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), Beth DeBauche (National Collegiate Athletic Association-Organization) and Tonia Walker (Winston Salem State University-Nell Jackson Award).
“NACWAA is honored to pay special recognition to each of these eight outstanding women for their hard work and dedication to the field of intercollegiate athletics,” said Jennifer Alley, Executive Director.
Dr. Kelly L. Hart has been an athletics administrator at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts since 2001. For the first six years of that tenure, she was an assistant director of athletics. In the last two years (2006 to 2008), she has been an associate director of athletics. She has also been the athletic department’s senior woman administrator throughout that entire tenure.
Dr. Hart’s duties include NCAA Compliance and Student-Athlete Eligibility, Marketing & Promotions, NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills, Student-Athlete Welfare, and Community Outreach. She had also been in charge of the department’s Club Sports program from 2001 to 2006, and was an Assistant Professor in Sport Management & Recreation from 2001 through 2005.
In addition to the above mentioned duties, Hart is also responsible for assisting the Director of Athletics with departmental program review and strategic planning, the development of departmental policies and procedures, and the supervision and evaluation of head coaches, staff, teaching fellows, and graduate and undergraduate interns.
Dr. Hart is currently involved as a member of many professional activities and committees. Among the many, she is a member of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference Compliance Officer Sub-Committee, the Carnegie Classification on Community Engagement Taskforce, Co-Chair of the Springfield College United Way Campaign (2007 to the present), the Committee Concerned About Diversity Issues at Springfield College (2006 to the present), and the Springfield College Humanics in Action Day Planning Advisory Committee (2005 to the present).
Originally from Morrisville, Pa., Hart earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Villanova University in Villanova, Pa. in 1987. She then went on to receive her Masters of Education degree in Physical Education from The College of New Jersey in Ewing, N.J. in 1990. Kelly then received her Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education from The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. in 2001.
The Administrator of the Year Award, sponsored by Jostens, is bestowed to NACWAA members whom have made significant contributions as administrators of intercollegiate athletics. This award, recognizing administrative excellence, is presented annually to a NACWAA member in the following categories: NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision; NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision; NCAA Division I Non-Football; NCAA Division II; NCAA Division III; NAIA/Junior/Community Colleges; Conferences/Organizations; and Nell Jackson Award. The 2008 Administrator of the Year and Honor Awards Banquet will be held on Monday, October 13, 2008, from 7:00-10:00 PM at the NACWAA National Convention in Atlanta, GA at the CNN Omni Hotel.
About National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators
Founded in 1979, National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA; www.nacwaa.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to enhance and promote opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics administration. NACWAA with nearly 2,000 members promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches and student-athletes. It is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to providing education al programs, professional and personal development opportunities, information exchange, and support services to enhance collegiate athletics.
Former Springfield College standout Mark Simeone will enter his 18th season as the head baseball coach at his alma mater in 2014. The 2012 NEWMAC Coach of the Year, Simeone will lead a veteran squad this spring. Read more.