University Recreation facilities, student employees, graduate assistants, and professional staff have been recognized nationally, regionally, and locally for excellence. Recent award highlights include:

• 2017 NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facility Award: University Recreation Center (UREC)
• 2020 NIRSA Honor Award: Eric Nickel, Director of University Recreation
• 2020 President’s Purple Star Award for Innovation: University Recreation Department
• 2023 JMU Student Employee of the Year: Will Burton, UREC Student Employee - Operations Supervisor
• 46 UREC student employees and Graduate Assistants have been named NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award Recipients
• 11 UREC professional staff have been named JMU All Together One Award Recipients

Jump to:

• Facility and Program Awards
• Student Employee Awards
• Graduate Assistant Awards
• Professional Staff Awards

University Recreation Center Facility and Program Awards

• 2024 Virginia Top Employer for Interns
• 2023 NIRSA Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award: 2nd Place, Special Division, Sip & Paint
• 2021 NIRSA Creative Excellence Award: 1st Place, Student Digital Presentation, You Belong at UREC
• 2021 NIRSA Creative Excellence Award: 2nd Place, Integrated Marketing Campaign, February Frenzy
• 2017 NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facility Award
• 2017 NIRSA Creative Excellence Award: 1st Place Large Scale Signage, UREC Addition & Renovation Signage Package
• 2000 NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facility Award
• 1997 Athletic Business Facilities of Merit Award

Click here to learn more about the UREC main facility!

University Park Awards

• 2013 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification from the Green Building Certification Institute (Learn more.)
• ACEC Virginia 2013 Engineering Awards Gala Merit Award

Click here to learn more about the University Park facility!

National Awards

• 2024 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Elijah Dale, Abby Townsend, Lauren Ayers and Grace Young
• 2023 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Delaney Carrick, Chandler Bagwell, William Burton and Isabelle Flugrad
• 2022 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Erin Davis, Brittany Kaplan and Andrew Sklavounos
• 2021 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Gregory "BJ" Beckwith, Gracie Jones and Dylan Scott
• 2020 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Leah Batille
• 2019 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Katy Morgan and Emily Murphy
• 2018 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Malik Holmes and Amy Ross
• 2017 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Zach Kirkpatricks
• 2016 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Yasmin Shahkarami
• 2015 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Cody Bailey, Ryan Fitzgerald and Amanda Stamper
• 2014 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Brad Burgess
• 2013 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Trey Smith
• 2011 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Amanda Coale, Stephanie Larson and Bethany Maxfield
• 2009 American Red Cross Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action: Keala Mason, Alex Bailey and Boris Korik
• 2008 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Jeremy Tipton
• 2006 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Lindsey Ervin and Lexi Antalis
• 2005 NIRSA Creative Excellence - 1st Place Graphic Communication (Facility Guide:  Marc Choi, Promotional Poster: Dario Tadic, Student Brochure: Wendy deGorter, Comprehensive Brochure: Sara Anderson & Stephanie Wallis)
• 2005 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Hilary Bride
• 2005 Frances Mayes Award through AAPHERD: Lindsey Ervin
• 2004 NIRSA Creative Excellence Award Student Brochure: Marc Choi
• 2002 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Jeff Pye

Regional Awards

• 2019 NIRSA Region II Student Excellence Scholarship: Katy Morgan
• 2019 NIRSA Region II Student Excellence Scholarship: Emily Murphy

James Madison University Awards

• 2024 JMU Student Employee of the Year Runner Up: Elijah Dale
• 2023 JMU Student Employee of the Year: Will Burton
• 2023 JMU Student Employee of the Year Runner Up: Delaney Carrick
• 2019 Carrier Award for Outstanding Personal Pursuit of Leadership Development: Annie Feinroth
• 2016 JMU Women of Distinction: Hannah Kotarski
• 2014 JMU Student Employee of the Year: Erica Estes
• 2013 School of Media Arts & Design One Day/One University Scholarship: Marie Schlatter
• 2013 School of Media Arts & Design Byrd-Mims Journalism Scholarship: Heather Butterworth
• 2010 “I Bleed Purple” Alumni Volunteer Award: Erin Huntley (UREC Alumnus)
• 2010 JMU Student Employee of the Year: Keala Mason
• 2010 School of Media Arts & Design One Day/One University Scholarship: Zephan Blaxberg
• 2010 School of Media Arts & Design MPRI Interactive Media Scholarship: Lauren Sundquist
• 2009 Service Award, JMU Kinesiology Department: Kristen McGolderick and Kellie Hayes
• 2009 Outstanding Sport Management Major and Odyssey Society Induction, JMU Kineseology Department: Rob Ennis and Lindsey Felton
• 2007 JMU Kinesiology Honors - Outstanding Majors, Exercise Science and Althea Loose Johnston Award: Carolyn Schubert
• 2007 JMU Kinesiology Honors - Odyssey Society Induction: Asha Fleming
• 2005 JMU Carrier Award: Hilary Bride, Erin Morrisey, Stephanie Sweat
• 2005 SGA Student Employee of the Year: Lindsey Ervin
• 2005 JMU Outstanding Student Organization: Sport Club Council
• 2005 SOS Outstanding Organization: PROmotion
• 2004 JMU SOS Leadership Awards - Outstanding Service/Fundraising Program: Warm A Winter Wish

National Awards

• 2024 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Lauren Shutt
• 2023 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Tim Groth
• 2022 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Spencer Cavan
• 2021 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Abby Brocato
• 2020 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Brian Tran
• 2019 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Katie Regan
• 2018 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Nora Osei
• 2017 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Will Trent
• 2016 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Hannah Houston
• 2014 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Jason Darby
• 2014 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Megan Flosdorf
• 2013 NIRSA Fletcher & Leonida Scholarship: Jason Darby
• 2013-14 NIRSA VA State Student Representative: Jason Darby
• 2012-13 NIRSA VA State Student Representative: Drew Loso
• 2012 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Keala Mason
• 2012 NIRSA Fletcher & Leonida Scholarship: Keala Mason
• 2011-12 NIRSA VA State Student Representative: Keala Mason
• 2011 NIRSA J. Michael Dunn Endowed Scholarship: Taylor Book, Sheree Mullen and Ben Schlief
• 2010 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Heather VanHall, Rachael Finley
• 2010 NIRSA Foundation's William Wasson Endowment Scholarship: Heather VanHall
• 2008 NIRSA Student Foundation Scholarship: Rachael Finley
• 2006 NIRSA William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award: Bruce Blair
• 2006-07 NIRSA VA State Student Representative: Hilary Bride

National Leadership 

• 2016 NIRSA National Student Leader: Will Trent
• 2008 NIRSA National Student Representative: Rachael Finley

Regional & State Awards

• 2020 VRSA Student Award of Merit: Brian Tran
• 2020 Region II Student Excellence Scholarship: Brian Tran
• 2020 Region II Student Excellence Scholarship: Janelle Fernandez
• 2019 VRSA Award of Merit: Katie Regan
• 2019 NIRSA Region II Student Excellence Scholarship: Dominic Infanti
• 2019 NIRSA Region II Student Excellence Scholarship: Katie Regan
• 2018 NIRSA Region II Student Excellence Scholarship: Christian Miller
• 2009 Virginia Recreation Sports Association Student Award of Merit: Rachael Finley
• 2007 Harrisonburg-Rockingham County American Red Cross Award for Extraordinary Action: Chris Jones, Jeremy Tipton, Hilary Bride

Regional and State Leadership

• 2022-23 NIRSA Region II Student Leader: Alexis Shura
• 2016-17 VRSA Student Leader: Jason Grieshaber
• 2015-16 VRSA Student Leader: Maggie Lajza
• 2014-15 VRSA Student Leader: Heather Gately
• 2013-14 VRSA Student Leader: Jason Darby
• 2012-13 VRSA Student Leader: Drew Loso
• 2011-12 VRSA Student Leader: Keala Mason
• 2006-07 VRSA Student Leader: Hilary Bride

James Madison University Awards

• 2020 Graduate Student Association IMPACT Award: Amy Ross
• 2019 JMU Graduate School Innovation Award: Stevie Lee
• 2015 JMU Graduate School Travel Grant: Heather Gately and Sarah Sheppard
• 2009 Marilyn Crawford Graduate Scholarship, JMU Kinesiology Department: Rachael Finley
• 2007 SGA Student of the Month: Hilary Bride

National Awards

• 2021 NIRSA Horace Moody Award: Aaron Combs
• 2020 NIRSA Honor Award: Eric Nickel
• 2020 NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award: Bob Golson
• 2019 NIRSA Horace Moody Award: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2018 Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) Jim Rennie Leadership Award: Guy deBrun
• 2017 NIRSA Creative Excellence Award (1st Place Large Scale Signage): UREC Addition & Renovation Signage Package, Accepted by Kristin Gibson
• 2017 NIRSA Annual Service Award: Erica Estes
• 2016 NIRSA Annual Service Award: Eric Nickel
• 2015 Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) David J Webb Program Excellence Award: Accepted by Guy deBrun
• 2013 NIRSA Annual Service Award: Eric Nickel
• 2013 NIRSA Legacy Contributors: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr and Eric Nickel
• 2012 NIRSA National Service Award: Steve Bobbitt
• 2009 The National Intramural Associations President’s Award for Outstanding Writing for "Todd, M., Czyszczon, J., Wallace Carr, J. & Pratt, C. (2009). Comparison of health and academic indices between university recreation facility users and non users. Recreational Sports Journal, 33(1), 43-53."
• 2009 American Red Cross Certificate of Recognition for Extraordinary Personal Action: Accepted by Sue Lowley and Erin Erford
• 2008 NIRSA Annual Service Award: Eric Nickel
• 2007 NIRSA Annual Service Award: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2005 NIRSA Horace Moody Award: Dave Frock
• 2004 NIRSA Creative Excellence Award for Media- Audio/Visual: Accepted by John Woody
• 2004 NIRSA Annual Service Award: Eric Nickel
• 2002 NIRSA Annual Service Award: Eric Nickel

National Leadership

• 2022 Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) Board of Directors President: Sasha Griffith
• 2015-2016: At-Large Member, NIRSA Board of Directors: Eric Nickel
• 2015 Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) Board of Directors President: Guy deBrun
• 2014-2015 NIRSA Education Task Force - Co-Chair of Learning Outcome Subcommittee: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2014-2015: Chair, NIRSA Executive Education Task Force: Eric Nickel
• 2013 NIRSA Creative Excellence Award Judge: Kristin Gibson
• 2011-2012 President, NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors: Eric Nickel
• 2009-2012 NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors: Eric Nickel
• 2011 NIRSA National School of Recreational Sport Management Chair: Steve Bobbitt
• 2008 NIRSA Student Learning and Assessment Pre-Conference Workshop Chair: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2007-2008 NIRSA Standards Work Team: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2007-2008: President, NIRSA Service Corporation: Eric Nickel
• 2007 NIRSA Knowledge Community on Student Learning Chair: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2005-2008 NIRSA Service Corporation Board of Directors: Eric Nickel
• 2005-2006 NIRSA Recreation Sport Management School Faculty Chair: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2003-2004 NIRSA Recreation Sport Management School Faculty: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2002-2004 NIRSA Board of Directors: Eric Nickel
• 2001-2002 Chair, Board of Directors, NIRSA School of Recreational Sports Management: Eric Nickel
• 1998 NIRSA National Facility Symposium Host Committee: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 1998-2000 NIRSA Task Force for Committee Review: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 1998 NIRSA National Facilities Symposium Host: Eric Nickel
• 1997-99 NIRSA Instructional Programs Committee: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr

Regional & State Awards

• 2022 VRSA Professional Award of Merit: Erica Foltz
• 2020 VRSA Professional Award of Merit: Kaitlin Pomerleau
• 2019 VRSA Professional Award of Merit: Aaron Combs
• 2017 NIRSA Region II Award of Merit: Steve Bobbitt
• 2010 NIRSA Region II Award of Merit: Julie Wallace Carr
• 2007 NIRSA Region II Award of Merit: Eric Nickel
• 2007 VRSA Professional Award of Merit: Lorie Miller
• 2007 Harrisonburg-Rockingham Red Cross Extraordinary Personal Action Award: Chris Jones, Hilary Bride, Jeremy Tipton
• 2006 Award for Experimental Education Mid-Atlantic Region Practitioner of the Year: Steve Bobbitt

Regional & State Leadership

• 2018-2019 VRSA State Director: Erica Foltz
• 2017 VRSA State Conference Planning Committee: Kristin Gibson, Steve Bobbitt, Erica Foltz, Lorie Miller, Mary Healey, Lisa O'Fallon, Nora Osei, Amy Ross
• 2014 Region II Work Team for Contingency Fund Allocation: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2012-13 VRSA Assistant Director: Hilary Bride
• 2011, 2013-15 NIRSA Region II Merit Award Selection Committee: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2010 NIRSA Region II Merit Award Selection Committee Chair: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2008-15 WVU Visiting Committee (Chair 2014-15): Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2006 VA NIRSA State Conference Planning Committee: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2006 VA NIRSA State Conference Programming Committee Co-Chair: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2002-04 NIRSA Region II Vice President: Eric Nickel
• 1999 VA NIRSA State Director: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 1998 VA NIRSA Assistant State Director: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 1997 VA NIRSA State Conference Planning Committee: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr

James Madison University Awards

• 2024 JMU All Together One: Erica Foltz
• 2023 Presidents' Purple Star Award for Creating Belonging: Sasha Griffith and Trey Smith
• 2023 JMU All Together One: Donna Bitar
• 2022 JMU All Together One: Aaron Combs
• 2022 Hart School Dolley Madison Award: Eric Nickel
• 2021 All Together One Award: Chris Jones
• 2020 All Together One Award: Bob Golson
• 2020 Provost Award for Excellence in Graduate Advising: Julie Wallace Carr
• 2020 Clive Hallman Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award: Lorie Miller
• 2020 President’s Purple Star Award for Innovation: UREC
• 2020 Woman of Distinction Award: Kristin Gibson
• 2020 Catalyst Compass Award: Sasha Griffith
• 2020 Catalyst Compass Award: Guy deBrun
• 2019 President’s Purple Star Award for Workplace Health, Wellness, and Safety: Matt Lovesky
• 2019 Presidents’ Purple Star Award for Teamwork: Lorie Miller and Holly Bailey
• 2019 JMU All Together One: Steve Bobbitt
• 2019 JMU All Together One: Kristin Gibson
• 2019 JMU Make Your Next Move Award: Erica Foltz
• 2018 JMU All Together One: Lorie Miller
• 2015 Veteran Civic Learning Volunteer of the Year: Donnie Mix
• 2013 Student Affairs and University Planning Program of the Year: Madipalooza (Steve Bobbitt)
• 2013 Career and Academic Planning "Make Your Next Move:" Holly Bailey
• 2011 JMU All Together One: Eric Nickel
• 2009 JMU All Together One: Donnie Mix
• 2008 Madison Award for Innovation: Richard Orebaugh
• 2006 JMU Women’s' Resource Center Woman of Distinction: Julie Wallace Carr
• 2006 JMU All Together One: Julie Wallace Carr
• 2005 Student Life Recognition for Excellence: Carolyn Wallace, Lorie Miller, Steve Bobbitt
• 2005 Student Life Recognition for Collaboration: Jill Zagora
• 2005 Advisor of the Year: Rick Orebaugh
• 2003 Outstanding Professional Award, School of Kinesiology and Recreation Studies: Eric Nickel

James Madison University Leadership

• 2019-20 Employee Advisory Committee: Matt Lovesky
• 2018-20 Compensation Task Force: Lorie Miller
• 2017-19 Inclusion Task Force: Kristin Gibson
• 2018 Advisory Board, Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management: Eric Nickel
• 2013-2020 University Planning Team: Eric Nickel
• Cluster 5 General Education Committee: Dr. Julie Wallace Carr
• 2013-15 Compensation Advisory Council: Kristin Gibson
• 2013-15 University Planning Team: Kristin Gibson
• 2012-13 Madison Future Commission Faculty/Staff Success Committee: Kristin Gibson
• 2012-13 Compensation Task Force: Kristin Gibson
• 2011-16 Employee Advisory Committee (Chair 2013-15): Kristin Gibson
• 2007-10 Health and Human Services Task Force: Eric Nickel