Loyalty Award
The Loyalty Award is given to an active athletic director in the NJCAA membership that has worked to uphold the ideals of the organization. Significant to this award is leadership in an athletic program exemplifying excellence both on the field/court and in the classroom. To view a list of past winners, visit: Loyalty Award Past Winners
Steve Winterling – Pasco-Hernando State College (FL)
Steve Winterling has served as the Athletics Director at Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey, FL, since the 2018-19 academic year. Winterling is heavily involved on the national level as the Chair of the NJCAA Division II Softball Committee and a member of the NJCAA Division II Volleyball Committee.
Prior to his position as Athletics Director, Winterling was the head baseball coach for the Bobcats for 27 years. Winterling started Pasco-Hernando State's first intercollegiate baseball team in March 1991 and in 1994 took the Bobcats to its first FCSAA State Tournament where they finished state runner-up. In 1995, the program won the Suncoast Conference and made its second appearance in the state tournament. Prior to this, he served as an assistant coach at Florida State University for six years under Mike Martin. His tenure included three College World Series appearances in Omaha, including a national runner-up finish in 1986. Winterling coached several professional athletes at FSU that included Deion Sanders, Paul Sorrento, Luis Alicea, and Eduardo Perez.
Winterling built the Pasco-Hernando State program by recruiting quality student-athletes to play against top competition throughout the state of Florida. Over 30 players have signed professional contracts and many others have gone on to outstanding four-year institutions. He has been a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association since 1979.
In 2021, Winterling was selected into the FCSAA Hall of Fame, and in 2022 was inducted into the Paso-Hernando State Walk of Fame.
For all 2023 NJCAA Honors and Annual Award Winners, visit: 2022-23 NJCAA Award Winners
For all NJCAA Honors, please visit: NJCAA Honors Home