CLEVELAND – The National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) has announced the recipients of the NADIIIAA Community Service Award and Athletics Administrator Awards.
Each of the selected recipients are being recognized for their impact at the institutional level, and in their communities for the 2023-24 academic year. The recipients will be recognized at the NADIIIAA reception taking place in conjunction with the NCAA Convention on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Nashville at 4:30 pm CT.
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| NADIIIAA Community Service Award |
| The NADIIIAA Community Service Awards program, established in 2001, is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. Recognition is given for projects in three categories: One-Time Activity/Project, Special Olympics Activity, and Community Partnerships. In addition to presenting commemorative awards to the three winning institutions, NADIIIAA will make up to a $1,000 contribution to the general scholarship fund at each of these institutions. |
| One-Time Project Category Winner: Springfield College |
 Last March, Springfield College's men's volleyball team hosted an engaging and collaborative event for their Team IMPACT teammate, Conlan, a brain cancer survivor. Conlan's Enfield High School Unified volleyball team was invited to play in front of the Springfield College community in Blake Arena. The Unified team participated in an intersquad scrimmage, drawing a crowd of over 150 Springfield College student-athletes, faculty, and staff, all eager to show their support and cheer them on. Members of the men's volleyball team served as officials, coaches, and enthusiastic fans, creating an inspiring and memorable experience for everyone involved. Two additional Springfield College Team IMPACT teammates also attended the event, allowing them to share this special occasion with their team. Following the game, the participants enjoyed dinner together at the campus cafeteria. Read More
One-Time Project Category Runner-Up: Dickinson College | Read More
One-Time Project Category Third Place: Colby College | Read More
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| Special Olympics Activity Category Winner (Tie for 1st Place) : Alfred State |
 Alfred State has hosted the Special Olympics for surrounding counties since 2013, starting with just over 100 athletes and growing each year.
In the most recent event, 288 athletes from 14 school districts participated, making it the largest Special Olympics event to date. The track and field events included modifications, such as a motor activity training program, to ensure all athletes could participate according to their abilities.
The Special Olympics Committee, composed of Alfred State athletics department staff, collaborates with Dan Kuberka, the Director of Special Olympics Western NY Region. Months of planning and promotion enable community members to volunteer, train volunteers, and prepare athletics teams for the event. Read More
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| Special Olympics Activity Category Winner (Tie for 1st Place) : Kenyon College |
 The Kenyon SAAC has expanded its partnership with the Knox County Special Olympics (KCSO) organization, as well as regional and state-level Special Olympics programs. Under a partnership agreement, KCSO uses Kenyon's athletics facilities, where student-athletes coach basketball skills every Thursday evening from October through February. In March, KCSO transitions from basketball to track and field activities tailored to the needs of their athletes.
In addition to regular practices, Kenyon's SAAC group has hosted a statewide Special Olympics swim championship and a regional basketball championship. Starting October 3, 2024, SAAC also welcomed the Knox County Eagles for the basketball "TEAM" competition. Read More
Special Olympics Activity Category Third Place: Marymount University | Read More
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| Community Partnerships Category Winner: SUNY-Oswego |
 Hundreds of SUNY Oswego student-athletes from all 24 intercollegiate athletics teams participate in a statewide community service project organized by Student-Athlete Advisory Council chapters at many SUNY Athletic Conference colleges. Through this initiative, local senior citizens, including those who are physically challenged, receive assistance with raking their yards, alleviating the burden of leaf removal. Read More
Community Partnerships Category Runner-Up: Colby College | Read More
Community Partnerships Category Third Place: Arcadia University | Read More
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| NADIIIAA Athletics Administrator Award |
| The following award recipients will receive a $1,000 professional development grant. |
| Emerging Athletics Administrator: Allison Manwell, Wabash College |
 Since joining Wabash College as assistant athletics director for internal Operations in May 2022 and her promotion in 2024 to associate athletics director for internal operations and senior woman administrator (SWA), Allison Manwell has demonstrated dedication, leadership, and professional growth. Her collaborative spirit and understanding of Division III athletics make her an effective partner in advancing Wabash College's mission. Manwell's commitment to excellence in compliance, ticket operations, and oversight for volleyball, tennis, and golf ensures that each sport and its coaching staff reflect the institution's values and provide a welcoming experience for student-athletes.
In addition to her role as an athletics administrator, Manwell was recently selected for the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) Leadership Academy. This year-long program is designed to cultivate leadership talent across Indiana's private colleges and includes participants identified by their institutions as emerging leaders. Her selection for this program reflects Wabash College's confidence in her leadership potential and dedication to the institution's future.
With her work as an athletics administrator, her leadership, and her commitment to professional development, Manwell is a bright spot in and great representative of Division III.
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| Transitioning Athletics Administrator: Charles Dean III, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps |
 Charles Dean III is a dedicated member of the CMS athletics department. As an athletic trainer, he guides student-athletes physically, mentally, and emotionally when assisting them in returning to play, and does so with compassion. In addition to his role as an ATC, Dean serves as the CMS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee Coordinator. As one of the primary founders of this committee, Dean has been instrumental in leading coaches, staff, and student-athletes in meaningful conversations on a wide range of topics. These conversations, referred to as "Learning Clubs," have helped foster community and often extend outside of the sessions. Each year, Dean coordinates the logistics of the Committee's annual speaker, who comes to campus to speak with coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Dean has also found ways to show DEI efforts tangibly by partnering with ClipDart and different student organizations on campus to offer free haircuts on campus, addressing haircare inequity.
Outside of CMS, Dean has served as a facilitator at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum for the past two years. Without a doubt, Dean impacted the lives of many student-athletes through this forum and grew professionally from this experience. Using this forum as inspiration, Dean took this knowledge back to campus, creating his own leadership session for student-athletes. He also participated in the Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute.
Overall, Dean has demonstrated a commitment to serving his community as both an athletic trainer and as an administrator.
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| About NADIIIAA: NADIIIAA 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 60th year. For more information on NACDA, the 19 professional associations and/or three foundations it manages, please visit www.nacda.com. |
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