Eric Nickel receives service award for long-term support of the Hart School

Since 1995, when Eric Nickel started as the director of University Recreation, he has supported the Hart School’s undergraduate and graduate Sport and Recreation Management programs.

By playing an instrumental role in the creation of a Campus Recreation concentration to complement the Sport and Recreation Leadership Graduate Program, the concentration became the only such program in the country.

Nickel has invested his time over the years in the Hart School by speaking as a guest; mentoring students and alumni; approving the University Recreation Center (UREC) to be an internship and practicum site; taking students to conferences; working to expand the number of UREC Graduate Assistants, all of whom are in the Sport and Recreation Leadership Graduate Program (SRL); serving on the Hart School Advisory Board; providing tours of UREC for classes; and teaching as an adjunct professor in both the undergraduate and graduate program.

For his dedication and commitment to the Hart School, Nickel has been selected as the recipient of the Dolley Madison Award. This award recognizes an outstanding member of the hospitality, sport and recreation industry who has supported the Hart School with his or her time, talent and treasure. 

Nickel’s assistance has also been critical in developing a best practice model of student learning and development at UREC. He is proud to leave his mark in the field of campus recreation from the number of high-quality professionals developed through this model.

“Former students and professional staff are our legacy that grew out of our focus on growing people, rather than simply running quality sports, recreation and fitness programs,” said Nickel.