PSADA AWARDS PROGRAM
The purpose of the PSADA Awards program is to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Pennsylvania interscholastic athletics and to this association. In this regard nominations are made at two levels. At the national level nominations are made for national awards and at the state level PSADA awards are presented to individuals at the annual conference awards banquet.
National Awards
NIAAA Distinguished Service – nominated by PSADA Membership
Criteria: in recognition of length of service, special accomplishments and contributions to athletic administration at the local, state and national levels. Nominee must be an NIAAA member. Selection is made by the NIAAA Awards Committee and awards are presented at the national conference in December.
NIAAA Distinguished Service (outside the field of athletic administration) – nominated by PSADA Membership
Criteria: in recognition of length of service, special accomplishments and contributions to athletic administration at the local, state and national levels. Selection is made by the NIAAA Awards Committee and awards are presented at the national conference in December.
NFHS Citations – nominated by PSADA Membership
Criteria: significant contribution to the NFHS and/or other national organizations which have impacted high school activities and a long standing and distinguished record of involvement with high school activities programs at the local and state levels.
Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award – nominated by PSADA Membership
Criteria: CMAA designation and contributions to professional development including teaching or administering the Leadership Training Program, presenting workshop sessions or writing articles for professional publications.
Nominations for consideration should be submitted to the PSADA Awards Chairman no later than November 1, each year. Final selection for nomination will be made by the PSADA Executive Board in December. Nominations are then submitted by the PSADA Awards Chairman to NIAAA before March for consideration.
PSADA State Awards:
NIAAA State Award of Merit – nominated by PSADA membership with a recommendation from the Awards Committee and the final selection made by the Executive Board in December.
Criteria: in recognition of meritorious service, leadership and special contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local and state level. Must be a NIAAA member and an active athletic administrator.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
“In recognition of outstanding leadership and meritorious achievement in interscholastic athletic
administration, This (year) State Award of Merit is presented to _(name)_ by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association
PSADA Distinguished Service - nominated by PSADA membership with a recommendation from the Awards Committee and the final selection made by the Executive Board in December.
Criteria: in recognition of special contributions (including leadership & service) at the state, district and local level. Must be a PSADA member and an active athletic administrator.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association (year) Distinguished Service Award
Presented to (name) in grateful recognition for the dedicated leadership and service to
interscholastic athletics. Given with a sincere “Thank you”
PSADA Distinguished Service – (outside the field of athletic administration) - nominated by PSADA membership with a recommendation from the Awards Committee and the final selection made by the Executive Board in December. (Does not have to be awarded annually)
Criteria: in recognition of special contributions to interscholastic athletics at the state, district, and local level.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Distinguished Service Award (for individuals
outside the field of athletic administration) Presented to: (name) in grateful recognition for special
service to interscholastic athletics. Presented in March (year)
PSADA Regional Athletic Director of the Year - nominated by PSADA membership with a recommendation from the Region coordinator.
One individual is recognized from each of the five regions which translates into five Regional Athletic Director awards presented each year. The five regions are: Region I = District 1 and 12,
Region II = District 2,4 and 11, Region III = District 5,6,9 and 10, Region IV = District 7 and 8,
Region V = District 3.
Criteria: in recognition of service, leadership and involvement with interscholastic athletics at the local and district level. Must be a PSADA member and an active athletic administrator.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Regional Athletic Director of the Year
Region (number) (name) In grateful recognition for dedicated service to interscholastic athletics
and to the student-athletes and coaches of Pennsylvania. (year)
PSADA Athletic Director of the Year – selected during the odd-numbered years from a pool of Regional AD’s from the current year and the previous year. The PSADA President is selected to receive this award during the even-numbered years. A recommendation will be made by the Awards Committee and final selection will be made by the Executive Board in December.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association (year) Athletic Director of the Year (name)
In grateful recognition for dedicated service for interscholastic athletics and to the student-athletes and coaches of Pennsylvania
Honorary Membership – nominated by PSADA membership with a recommendation from the Awards Committee and the final selection made by the Executive Board. (Does not have to be awarded annually)
Criteria: in recognition of special contributions in interscholastic athletics to the extent that their interest and involvement warrants recognition as an honorary member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Honorary Membership Award (name)
In recognition of special contributions in interscholastic athletics to the extent that their interest and
involvement warrants recognition as an honorary member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors
Association.
PSADA Citation – nominated by any member of the Executive Council with a recommendation from the Awards Committee and the final selection made by the Executive Board in December. Must be a PSADA member and an active athletic administrator. (Does not have to be awarded annually)
Criteria: in recognition of exceptional time, effort and energy devoted to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association.
Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Citation Presented to (name)
In recognition of exceptional time, effort and energy devoted to the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Directors Association. Given with sincere appreciation (date)
PSADA Distinguished Coaching Educator – nominated by PSADA membership with a recommendation from the Awards Committee and the PSADA Coaching Education Chairman. The final selection is made by the Executive Board in December.
Nominations can be made by any PSADA member. There is a nominating information form that is helpful in evaluating nominees. It is requested that this form be used as part of the nominating process.
Nominations for the Regional AD awards should be submitted to the Regional coordinator of that region and other nominations should be submitted to the awards chairman. All nominations must be submitted by November 1 for consideration.
Award Eligibility Policies
- In order to recognize as many individuals as possible, no person will receive more than one award per year.
- A person is only eligible to receive a specific award once. The exception could be the AD of the Year involving the PSADA President.
Other Awards:
Presidential Recognition - During the even-numbered years the out-going President will receive a Presidential Recognition plaque and ring presented at the annual conference. This award is made bi-annually in recognition of the extra effort and extra hours rendered by individuals holding this office.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
In Grateful Recognition for dedicated Leadership and Service as PRESIDENT of the Pennsylvania
State Athletic Directors Association ( years) (name) “If there be a truer measure of a man than
by what he does it must be by what he gives” Robert Smith
Executive Council Recognition – Athletic administrators leaving the PSADA Executive Council after a minimum of eight years service on the Council will be recognized for their contributions as a member of this group.
The inscription on the open book type clock plaque reads:
Presented to (name) In recognition For Distinguished Service And Contributions On Behalf Of The
Pennsylvania State Athletic Director’s Association Executive Council. (dates on council) Presented
By PSADA (date)
Service Awards – presented in recognition of years of service as an active athletic administrator.
Certificates are mailed to the recipients of the 15 and, 20-year service awards. Plaques are mailed to the 25, 30 and 35-year service award recipients. All will be recognized in the PSADA newsletter.
Scholarships:
PSADA Student Athlete Foundation
Each year the PSADA Student-Athlete Scholarship Foundation awards $500 scholarships to the schools of each Regional AD of the Year and a $1000 scholarship to the school of the PSADA State Athletic Director of the Year.
Student recipients are selected by the athletic director of their school according to the following criteria:
One or more seniors who have been accepted into a post-high school education program, male or female having earned at least one Varsity letter, and having demonstrated good citizenship and good sportsmanship during their senior year
The athletic director submits the recipients profile and photo to the Executive Director by mid-June for inclusion in the fall PSADA newsletter.
NIAAA Student Athlete Scholarship – nominated by PSADA State AD of the Year
Criteria: must have 2 of the following a) minimum B+ average, b) rank in top 25% of class, C) ACT score of 24 or SAT score of 1100, must participate in two sports for 2 years in each sport and earn a varsity letter in each of two sports, and a 500-word essay – How HS Athletics Has Impacted My Life.
