2016 Administrator of the Year Honorees Announced!

Contact: Lisa Thuer
Contact Email: [email protected]
Contact Organization: National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators
Contact Phone: 816-389-8200

Kansas City, Mo.— In celebration of the success, achievements and advancement of women leaders, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) announced today its 2016 Administrator of the Year Award recipients. The eight honorees will be honored October 11 in Kansas City, Mo. at the 2016 Administrator of the Year Luncheon presented by AXA, in conjunction with the annual NACWAA National Rally.

The Administrator of the Year Award is presented each year and honors NACWAA members for significant contributions made in athletic administration. In addition, NACWAA will also present the Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award, which honors an administrator who exemplifies the personal qualities and professional accomplishments of Dr. Nell Jackson—courage, conviction and perseverance.

Nominated by their peers and selected by the NACWAA Awards Committee for their service during 2015-16, the 2016 honorees are:

  • NCAA Division I FBS: Sarah Baumgartner, Deputy Athletic Director, Rutgers University
  • NCAA Division I FCS: Diane Metcalf, Director of Athletics Development, University of New Hampshire
  • NCAA Division I: Karina Herold, Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations/SWA, Pepperdine University NCAA Division II: Tonia Walker, Director of Athletics, Winston-Salem State University
  • NCAA Division III: Nikki Fennern, Director of Athletics/SWA, Saint Mary's University
  • NAIA/NJCAA: Krishna Dass, Director of Athletics, Hostos Community College
  • Association/Organization: Julie Muller, Commissioner (former), North Atlantic Conference
  • Nell Jackson: Shirelle Jackson, Assistant Athletic Director of Student Athlete Development, University of Miami

“Each year, NACWAA is thrilled to celebrate and honor such extraordinary women who live out our mission each and every day,” said Patti Phillips, NACWAA CEO. “We are continually inspired and energized by their commitment and dedication to intercollegiate athletics and the advancement of women both in our industry and beyond.”

About the Honorees

According to one of her colleagues, Sarah Baumgartner lives her life by the phrase “humble and hungry.” Since arriving at Rutger’s University, Sarah has altered the way the athletic department operates, from improving day-to-day team morale with her relentless optimism to ushering in seasons of unparalleled fundraising success. One of her nominators explained that Sarah’s greatest trait as a leader is the trust she has in her team and how she helps all individuals grow to their full potential. Additionally, her presence is described as a “constant pillar of strength” at Rutgers during times of controversy and how her tireless enthusiasm, positive attitude and dedication to Rutgers is what makes an invaluable asset and “star” on the campus.

From Harvard to the University of New Hampshire, Diane Metcalf has been involved with a multitude of athletic development projects. Most recently, Diane has helped UNH fundraise for a complete stadium renovation and the creation of a new center for student-athlete excellence to promote academic success on campus. She has developed the Wildcat brand for New Hampshire and created a case for support to bring in more donors to the University. Her job extends from reaching new prospective donors to maintaining relationships with current donors and everyone in between. She’s a responsible, effective, and charismatic leader that makes things happen on a big scale for her community.

Karina Herold is a senior leader in the athletics department, responsible for corporate partnerships, marketing, branding, communications and events at Pepperdine University. She’s a positive force for change and progress at both the campus level and within the West Coast Conference, where she serves on the Executive Council and chairs the Senior Women Administrator’s Standing Committee and the Administration and Operations Cabinet. She advocates for strong student-athlete engagement on campus and serves as a mentor to student-athlete leaders. Highlighted by her nominator, Karina treats all people in her life with compassion and love and is committed to preparing student-athletes for productive, passionate lives after their athletic careers have ended.

As athletic director of Winston-Salem University, Tonia Walker is committed to promoting excellence in intercollegiate athletics and advancing women and student-athletes. She has high expectations to succeed and is known to take risks as a leader to promote causes that fuel her passions. She is a successful fundraiser who has revamped the university’s athletic brand as well as developing and implementing her own leadership programs for coaches and student-athletes. WSSU athletics have thrived under her watch, with 7 CIAA championships and 140 student-athlete graduates in 2015 and 2016 combined. Her nominator calls her a highly respected leader, guide, mentor, and friend who understands her role in making a difference in education and protecting the welfare of student-athletes.

Nikki Fennern is an active NACWAA member who embodies the mission of advancing women in collegiate athletics. As the director of athletics at Saint Mary’s University, Nikki is committed to the education of students both in the classroom and on their respective playing surfaces. Under her guidance, Saint Mary’s University athletics enjoyed one of the best years in recent school history last year, with several teams reaching conference post-season - two of which reached playoff title games. On top of encouraging athletic success, Nikki also leads, mentors, and provides vision for her staff while being a positive role model for student-athletes and up-and-coming young administrators. Her nominator summed Nikki up by stating that “Nikki sets an incredible example of a female who is not only excelling in her career, but in her personal endeavors as well.”

As Director of Athletics at Hostos Community College, Krishna Dass has thrived while participating in a wide variety of activities that benefit a diverse population of students and staff members. Since joining the team in 2013, she has effectively managed the budget, implemented a new website for heightened program exposure, secured donors, and developed programs that affect student-athletes and staff. Evidence of her drive and vision, her nominator said, “Wherever Krishna goes, you can bet there will be progress made.” She places students at the center of everything she does and works enthusiastically to help them best succeed. She’s a creative administrator, a positive co-worker, a successful fundraiser, and a fearless leader who creates tangible change wherever she goes.

Julie Muller was selected as the first full-time North Atlantic Conference Commissioner in May of 2005 and retired last year at the end of her 11th year with the conference. While Commissioner, Julie played an integral role in the conference’s growth and development, strategic planning process, membership transition, and also increasing sports sponsorships through the addition of 3 new programs. She is a strong leader that guides with vision, positivity, creativity, and emphasizes sportsmanship, equity, diversity, inclusion, and professional development. One testimonial described her as “a quintessential leader, consummate organizer and phenomenal role model,” and countless others praised her for her encouragement, commitment, mentorship and guidance as an administrator and friend.

In the two short years that Shirelle Jackson has been on the campus, she has worked tirelessly to transform the student-athlete experience at the University of Miami. She created an open environment for discourse about diversity and gender equity through her student-athlete programming, which included a black history month open dialogue, a powerful and interactive program promoting diversity and inclusion, and also a comprehensive sexual assault education program for both student-athletes and staff members at Miami. Her nominator extolled these achievements but said that it’s Shirelle’s general presence every day that has truly transformed the campus through her “general care for people and a true commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

About the NACWAA National Rally (#NACWAA16)

Celebrating its 37th year, the NACWAA National Rally is the premier leadership summit for women working in intercollegiate athletics and beyond. Attended by professionals from all divisions of intercollegiate athletics as well as sports-minded corporate leaders, this annual gathering provides three days of unparalleled education, leadership training and networking. The 2016 event will be held October 9-11 at the Sheraton Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.

About the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators

The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) is the premier leadership organization that empowers, develops, celebrates and honors women working in college sports. NACWAA takes an active role in advancing women into positions of influence and in doing so, helps shape the landscape of women leaders changing our world today. Learn more at www.nacwaa.org.