VRSA Award of Merit
The VRSA Award of Merit is a scholarship provided to students and professionals as a means of recognizing outstanding contribution, involvement, and exceptional performance within a particular campus recreation department as well as on a state or national scale within NIRSA, the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.
To be eligible for the award, a candidate must:
Nominees should demonstrate exceptional performance in one or more of the following areas:
2022 Award Timeline
Applications to serve on the Award of Merit Committee are now OPEN!!!
The selection process is coordinated by the State Director of Virginia. Winners are chosen by the members of the VRSA Scholarship Committee. Once a winner is chosen, the winner and his or her institution will be recognized at the VRSA State Workshop during the state business meeting. In addition to the award, the winner will receive a commemorative plaque and the fee for one NIRSA conference registration of his or her choice will be covered by VRSA. The winner will also have their name published on the VRSA website and in the state and regional newsletters.
If you know someone who may meet the criteria for this award, please click below to begin the nomination process.
Nominations will open soon.
To be eligible for the award, a candidate must:
- hold current membership in VRSA
- be enrolled in or serve as an employee of a Virginia college or university at the time of the nomination.
- be nominated by a NIRSA member (a valid nomination includes the completed nomination form as well as an accompanying letter of support)
Nominees should demonstrate exceptional performance in one or more of the following areas:
- involvement within VRSA and/or NIRSA
- exceptional achievement within his or her current role in campus recreation
- demonstration of service on a departmental, campus-wide, and/or community-wide basis through volunteer work
- demonstration of professional development through certifications, presentations, participation in professional organizations, continuing education, self-improvement, and/or research
2022 Award Timeline
- Award of Merit Committee Applications will be open August 1 - August 16
- Award of Merit Nominations will be received August 25 - September 23
- Review of all Award of Merit Nominations will take place September 26 - 30
- Winners announced at VRSA State Workshop
Applications to serve on the Award of Merit Committee are now OPEN!!!
The selection process is coordinated by the State Director of Virginia. Winners are chosen by the members of the VRSA Scholarship Committee. Once a winner is chosen, the winner and his or her institution will be recognized at the VRSA State Workshop during the state business meeting. In addition to the award, the winner will receive a commemorative plaque and the fee for one NIRSA conference registration of his or her choice will be covered by VRSA. The winner will also have their name published on the VRSA website and in the state and regional newsletters.
If you know someone who may meet the criteria for this award, please click below to begin the nomination process.
Nominations will open soon.
If you have any questions concerning the award process, please see our contact page or refer to the link above.
Award of Merit Selection Committee
Interested in serving VRSA? Apply to help select this year’s student or non-student Award of Merit recipients. Qualifications for selection are listed below. Fill out the application form to be considered for the review committee.
Committee member qualifications
Non-Student sub-committee (5 members) – Assistant State Director Coordinates
Timeline
Committee member qualifications
- Student sub-committee (5 members) – State Student Representative Coordinates
- Per VRSA Constitution, most recent 2 past winners have automatic spots on the committee (may or may not be current VRSA members)
- Current VRSA Member
- Hold a current position within Collegiate Recreation
- Application includes a written statement of support from current supervisor (no more than 1 page.)
Non-Student sub-committee (5 members) – Assistant State Director Coordinates
- Per VRSA Constitution, most recent 2 past winners have automatic spots on the committee (may or may not be current VRSA members)
- Current VRSA Member
- To apply candidates must have either: a minimum of 3 years professional experience with Collegiate Recreation, or 1 year of professional experience with Collegiate Recreation in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Timeline
- Award of Merit Committee Applications will be open from August 1 - August 16.
If you have any questions concerning the award process, please see our contact page or refer to the link above.
VRSA Award of Merit Winners
2022
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Wendy Sheppard (UofR)
2021
Student Award of Merit Winner: Caleigh Pope (UMW)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Bog Gough (UWM)
2020
Student Award of Merit Winner: Brian Tran (JMU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Kaitlin Pomerleau (JMU)
2019
Student Award of Merit Winner: Katie Regan (JMU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Aaron Combs (JMU)
2018
Student Award of Merit Winner: Hannah Kotarski (VCU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Tommy Otterbine (VCU)
2017
Student Award of Merit Winner: Bob Stevens (ODU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Chris Wise (VT)
2016
Student Award of Merit Winner: Anna Taggart (VT)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Grant Deppen (ODU)
2015
Student Award of Merit Winner: Miles Conquest (Shenandoah)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Joey Parent (VCU)
2014
Student Award of Merit Winner: Fred Clements (VCU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Ben Smith (VT)
2010
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Jean Holt (ODU)
2008
Student Award of Merit Winner: Brandon Adams (ODU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Tom Roberts (Richmond)
2007
Student Award of Merit Winner: Ben Smith (VT)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Dr. Kevin Marbury (ODU)
2006
Student Award of Merit Winner: Lindsey Ervin (JMU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Lorie Miller (JMU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Wendy Sheppard (UofR)
2021
Student Award of Merit Winner: Caleigh Pope (UMW)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Bog Gough (UWM)
2020
Student Award of Merit Winner: Brian Tran (JMU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Kaitlin Pomerleau (JMU)
2019
Student Award of Merit Winner: Katie Regan (JMU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Aaron Combs (JMU)
2018
Student Award of Merit Winner: Hannah Kotarski (VCU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Tommy Otterbine (VCU)
2017
Student Award of Merit Winner: Bob Stevens (ODU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Chris Wise (VT)
2016
Student Award of Merit Winner: Anna Taggart (VT)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Grant Deppen (ODU)
2015
Student Award of Merit Winner: Miles Conquest (Shenandoah)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Joey Parent (VCU)
2014
Student Award of Merit Winner: Fred Clements (VCU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Ben Smith (VT)
2010
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Jean Holt (ODU)
2008
Student Award of Merit Winner: Brandon Adams (ODU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Tom Roberts (Richmond)
2007
Student Award of Merit Winner: Ben Smith (VT)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Dr. Kevin Marbury (ODU)
2006
Student Award of Merit Winner: Lindsey Ervin (JMU)
Professional Award of Merit Winner: Lorie Miller (JMU)