Indiana University Athletics
Calhoun to Receive NACWAA Administrator of the Year Award
6/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
June 30, 2009
Release courtesy of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators
WILMINGTON, N.C. - This year, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) will honor Dr. Grace Calhoun (Indiana University-Nell Jackson Award), Noreen Morris (Northwestern University, Division I Football Bowl Subdivision), Jacqueline Blackett (Columbia University-Division I Football Championship Subdivision), Kathy Klein (University of North Florida-Division I), Deborah Chin (University of New Haven-Division II), Kim Chandler (Macalester College-Division III), Norma Carr (Salt Lake Community College- NJCAA), and Dr. Christine Hoyles (Pacific 10 Conference-Conference) as Administrator of the Year Award recipients.
"NACWAA is honored to pay special recognition to each of these eight outstanding women for their hard work and dedication to the field of intercollegiate athletics," said Jennifer Alley, Executive Director.
Grace Calhoun is serving in her fourth year at Indiana as Associate Athletics Director. Her responsibilities this past year include serving as a member of the senior staffs of the Director of Athletics and the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs; representing the institution in Big Ten and NCAA governance; directing the staff and operations of the 20-person Office of Student Development and Compliance which coordinates academic services, student services, compliance, governance, eligibility, financial aid and admissions functions for the department; serving as sport administrator for the women's basketball program; providing general support for all other women's athletics programs and ensuring that women's issues are represented at appropriate levels; and serving as the liaison to the campus community.
Noreen Morris currently serves as the Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator at Northwestern University, a position she has held since August 2004. Morris has oversight responsibilities for the area of compliance, supervises five sport programs, serves as the primary liaison to the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices and manages Big Ten and NCAA governance issues. Morris came to Northwestern from Conference USA, where she spent eight years overseeing the conference's legislative and governance programs. Prior to Conference USA, she worked at the University of Connecticut where in 1991 she became the institution's first full-time compliance coordinator. Morris holds a Master's degree in Sports Administration from University of Massachusetts, and received her bachelor's degree from Cornell University, where she was a two-time co-captain and four-year letter winner on the women's soccer team.
Jacqueline Blackett is in her 18th year at Columbia University, her 14th as an athletics administrator after four years as head coach of women's track & field, and cross country. As the Associate Athletics Director for Enrichment Services, she serves as the campus liaison for the Lions' student-athletes, working closely with the Deans, registrars and various administrative offices. Blackett also works with NCAA athletics as chair of the NCAA Division I Academics/ Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet. She is a current member of NACWAA and is a 1997 graduate of the NACWAA/ Hers Institute. Blackett was an outstanding athlete at the University of Rochester, where she earned her B.A. in psychology in 1981. While attending Rochester, Blackett was co-captain and three-time MVP of the Yellowjacket track & field squads.
Kathy Klein joined the University of North Florida staff in 1994 as Senior Associate Athletics Director. Her primary responsibilities include overall direction, management and supervision of the following areas: compliance, academic support, athletic training, strength and conditioning; coordinating the management, administration and control of the internal activities of the intercollegiate athletics program; providing direction and support for the coaches and the athletic teams; oversight of SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee), and the coordination of the CHAMPS/ Life Skills program. Klein received her Bachelor's degree from Rutgers University, where she was a four sport student- athlete (field hockey, basketball, softball, and lacrosse); and her master's degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1972.
Deborah Chin became the University of New Haven's (UNH) fourth director of athletics in 1993, and currently oversees a department which sponsors 17 NCAA Division II varsity sports. A member of the University of New Haven staff since 1975, Chin began her career as Coordinator of Women's Athletics. She was responsible for starting the women's intercollegiate athletic program at UNH, coaching volleyball, tennis, basketball and softball in the early years. Chin eventually surrendered all head coaching responsibilities, except volleyball, when she was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics in 1979. As an administrator, Chin has served on over 30 national and regional committees. In addition to her most recent position as Chair of the Division II Management Council, her resume includes terms as chairperson for the NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee (1988-92), the NCAA Division II Baseball Committee (1997-2001), the NCAA Northeast Regional Football Committee (1999-2003), and the NACDA John McLendon Minority Scholarship Committee (1999-present). She served four years on the NACWAA Board of Directors (1993-96), and acted as the Volleyball Commissioner for the 1995 Special Olympics World Games held in New Haven.
Kim Chandler began her duties as Director of Athletics of Macalester College on July 14, 2008. Prior to arriving at Macalester, Chandler headed the Beloit Athletic Department for four years, overseeing 18 varsity programs, academic course offerings and intramurals. Before taking charge of the Beloit program, Chandler was the head women's basketball coach for three years at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Michigan, where she also served the university as Senior Woman Administrator and Assistant Athletic Director of Business Affairs. Following assistant basketball coaching stints at Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and Florida Southern College, she began her head coaching career at California State University-Northridge in 1991. Chandler graduated from Ohio Northern with a B.A. in History, Sports Medicine and Health, and received a Master of Education degree in Exercise Physiology and Wellness from Bowling Green State in 1989.
Christine Hoyles joined the Pac-10 office in June 1988 and currently serves as the Associate Commissioner. She is responsible for the administration of the Conference's Senior Women Administrators, its Administrative Fellowship program, and serves as the chief administrator for the State Farm Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament. Currently, she represents the Conference as a member of the NCAA Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. She served on NACWAA's Board of Directors and is the former chair of the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee. Hoyles also served as Commissioner of the Midwest and Michigan Associations for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, and as a member of the NCAA Academic Requirements Committee. Hoyles earned her undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. degrees from Michigan State University.
Norma Carr made history in Utah by becoming the first female to serve as Athletic Director for both the men's and women's programs at Salt Lake Community College in 1989. Under Carr's leadership the SLCC athletic program has grown from one sport to a successful five sport program. Carr once was the only woman considered in the top 25 Most Influential People in Utah sports. She oversaw the construction of the Lifetime Activities Center and Burin Arena, Cate Field and the softball diamond. Carr graduated Phi Kappa Phi and Cum Laude from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1969, with a bachelor's degree in Physical and Health Education. A five sport athlete as a BYU graduate, she went on to receive a master's degree in Physical Education and Administration at the University of Utah.
The Administrator of the Year Award, sponsored by Jostens, is bestowed to NACWAA members whom have made significant contributions as administrators of intercollegiate athletics. This award, recognizing administrative excellence, is presented annually to a NACWAA member in the following categories: NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision; NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision; NCAA Division I; NCAA Division II; NCAA Division III; NAIA/Junior/Community Colleges; Conferences/Organizations; and Nell Jackson Award. The 2009 Administrator of the Year and Honor Awards Banquet will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, from 6:00-7:30 PM at the NACWAA National Convention in Denver (Broomfield), CO at the Omni Interlocken Resort and Spa.
