The ORSA Honor Award was created as a way of recognizing the outstanding contributions of current or former individual members of the Ohio Recreational Sports Association. The award is presented a maximum of every year to a professional, “in recognition of their unselfish dedication, exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions to the promotion, growth and development of the recreational sports profession.”

The Nomination Packet should include:

• Current resume or vita of nominee including number of years as an ORSA member.

• Letter of recommendation from nominator (ORSA professional member) including name, institution, email address, phone number, fax number, and number of years as an ORSA member.

• List of accomplishments that relate directly to the criteria listed below.

Please note: Nominations will be carried over for four years and then released unless re-nominated.

Nominations for the 2025 ORSA Honor Award have closed. Nominations will open again in 2026.

Criteria:

1. Significant involvement in and contribution to the Ohio Recreational Sports Association - 70%

Examples include:

• Minimum five years active membership and involvement in ORSA.

• Innovative or strategic leadership within the state association (i.e, serving on ORSA Executive Committee).

• Extraordinary dedication or creativity exhibited as a member of an ORSA committee.

• Significant contribution in developing, coordinating, and/or hosting an ORSA conference, workshop or tournament.

• Conducting presentations at ORSA workshops.

• Significant contribution to ORSA publications (i.e., writing articles for newsletter), media presentations, special projects, or fundraising.

• Significant contribution to the promotion and growth of ORSA through the cultivation of individual or institutional ORSA membership.

• Personal commitment to attending ORSA workshops as well as encouraging professional and student staff to attend and become active in ORSA.

• Signification contribution in the development of students and young professionals on campus and within ORSA.

  2. Involvement and contribution to NIRSA on a national and regional level as well as local campus impact - 30%

Examples include:

• Active involvement in NIRSA.

• Innovative or strategic leadership within NIRSA (i.e, serving on Executive Committee).

• Extraordinary dedication or creativity exhibited as a member of a NIRSA committee.

• Significant contribution in developing, coordinating, and/or hosting a regional or national conference or tournament.

• Conducting presentations at regional or national conferences.

• Significant contribution to NIRSA publications, media presentations or special projects (i.e., writing articles).

• Significant contribution to the promotion and growth of NIRSA through the cultivation of individual or institutional membership.

• Personal commitment to attending regional and national workshops as well as encouraging professional and student staff to attend and become active in NIRSA.

• Signification contribution in the development of students and young professionals on campus and within NIRSA.

• 2025 Rob Becker, Baldwin Wallace University

• 2023 Greg Ross, CENTERS

• 2021 Nick Froelich, Cleveland State University

• 2019 Rob Jech, The Ohio State University

• 2017 Jim Jamriska, Indiana University Bloomington

• 2015 Kendra Violet, University of Cincinnati

• 2013 Doug Curry, Miami University

• 2011 Joy Polkabla-Byers, Youngstown State University

• 2009 Sean Ries, Cleveland State University

• 2007 Dave DeAngelo, The Ohio State University

• 2005 Thad Long, Bowling Green State University

• 2004 Kim Schmidt, University of Cincinnati

• 2003 Award not presented

• 2002 Greg Jordan, Oakland University

• 2001 Greg Sferra, Slippery Rock University

• 2000 Pat Besner, University of Toledo

• 1999 Paul Milton, Kent State University

• 1998 Pat Kennedy, Case Western Reserve University

• 1997 Bills Sells, Ohio University

• 1996 Patti Holmes, Holmes Training and Dev.

• 1995 Sally Myers, Miami University

• 1994 Larry Spencer, University of Toledo

• 1993 Ken Kaiser, The Ohio State University

• 1992 Dr. Tim Miller, Baldwin Wallace College

• 1991 Winona Vannoy, Kent State University

• 1990 Steve Kintigh, Texas Christian University