CLEVELAND - The National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) is proud to announce Bridget Belgiovine, former director of athletics and chair of the department of physical education, recreation and athletics (PERA) at Wellesley College as the recipient of the Richard A. Rasmussen Lifetime Achievement Award.

Belgiovine will be formally recognized next week at the NADIIIAA Summer Forum in Orlando, Florida.

The Richard A. Rasmussen Lifetime Achievement Award, which is named after NADIIIAA's Executive Director, is presented to someone who has made a significant impact on Division III during the course of their career.

Since Belgiovine arrived at Wellesley in 2006, the Blue have had resounding success:

• Claimed the 2016 NCAA National Championship in crew
• Earned 18 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) championships
• Have a combined 28 team appearances in the NCAA Tournament. 
• In 2013-14, captured first NEWMAC President's Cup
  • 10 Wellesley teams participated in NEWMAC postseason play
  • Four student-athletes earned conference athlete of the year honors
  • Three coaches earned coach of the year honors.
• In 2014-15, earned the program's best finish in the Learfield IMG College Directors' Cup, along with the highest-ranking all-women's institution in the nation, 63^rd overall.

Prior to Wellesley, Belgiovine served as the Director of Division III at the NCAA and, after serving as the director of athletics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Nationally, Belgiovine has served in a variety of roles during her career. Below are a few of the highlights:

• Past president of Women Leaders in College Sports, previously the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA)
• Former board member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and service in the NCAA structure.
• Vice-President for Division III
• Chair of the Division III Management Council
• Member of the NADIIIAA Executive Committee
• Administrative Committee and several Division III and Association-wide committees.
• Games Director of the 1990 Massachusetts Special Olympics

A collegiate lacrosse player at Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey), Belgiovine's rise in collegiate administration began at Springfield College where she served as assistant professor, field hockey coach, assistant athletic director and SWA. Belgiovine earned a bachelor's degree from Trenton State and her master's degree from Springfield College. 

About NADIIIAA: NADIIIAA is comprised of athletics administrators from over 350 institutions and conferences competing at the NCAA Division III level. The Association encourages the continued development of athletics programs focused on the student-athlete and based on sound educational principles and the Division III philosophy. NADIIIAA is administered by NACDA, which is in its 54^th year. For more information on NACDA, the 17 professional associations and/or three foundations it manages, please visit www.nacda.com.