Individuals recognized at inaugural NJCAA Awards Dinner

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The NJCAA proudly announced its service and recognition awards Thursday during the inaugural NJCAA Awards Dinner at The Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs.

The awards are presented annually to individuals who have either made worthy contributions to the organization or have excelled in the arena of athletics or have exemplified the organization’s principles of leadership, achievement and service.


NJCAA APPRECIATION AWARD
Awarded by the NJCAA Executive Director to individuals and institutions that have provided the organization with extraordinary leadership, loyalty and service.

Bob Zelinski  |  College of Central Florida
A dedication and passion for the two-year student-athlete is what highlights Zelinski’s tenure as a collegiate athletic administrator. Since 1992, Zelinski has held an array of positions for the NJCAA as a representative of NJCAA Region 8.

His dynamic leadership has been on full display as chair of the Eligibility Committee, a position he has held since 2007. During that time the Eligibility Committee has not been shy, confronting some of the most challenging and divisive issues facing the organization. Zelinski’s steadfast resolve and vision for the NJCAA and its student-athletes has resulted in many positive changes to its bylaws, which will continue to steer the organization for decades to come.

Aside from his national service, Zelinski has served as the director of athletics at the College of Central Florida since 1999. His dedication and experience extends into the Florida Collegiate System Activities Association (FSCAA) where he has directed numerous championships for the conference including baseball, volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball. Zelinski was presented with an appreciation award by the FCSAA baseball coaches and was inducted into the conference’s hall of fame in 1998.


NJCAA LOYALTY AWARD
Awarded to an active athletic director of a member college who has worked to uphold the ideals of the NJCAA. Significant to this award is leadership in an athletic program exemplifying excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

Brenda Hampton  |  Iowa Western Community College
In her 14 years overseeing Iowa Western athletics, Hampton has been a driving force in developing one of the most successful athletic programs within the two-year college landscape. During her tenure, Hampton has led the department with the addition of 13 sports and 17 national championships. Hampton’s term has also produced 352 NJCAA All-America and academic honors combined.

Since the 2005-06 academic year, Hampton has held the position of Region 11 women’s director, serving on various national committees including Division I soccer, softball and volleyball. Her work nationally also includes service as the secretary for the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Executive Board.

Hampton is set to retire from her position with Iowa Western at the conclusion of the academic year.


GEORGE E. KILLIAN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Awarded annually by the NJCAA national office staff to individuals dedicated to the organization’s ideals of volunteerism, achievement, service, leadership and excellence.

Kerri-Ann McTiernan  |  Nassau Community College (NY)
Currently in her second year as women’s director for NJCAA Region 15, McTiernan served the previous 12 years as the assistant director of the region. She currently provides insight and leadership on several national committees including women’s lacrosse and women’s tennis while serving as the chair for Division III women’s soccer. She is also a strong voice on the eligibility and standard and ethics committees.

McTiernan’s contributions also include tournament director for the NJCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championship and countless hours of service to the recent NJCAA Excellence Initiative.

Marci Henry  |  Northeastern Junior College (CO)
After a decade of service as a women’s director for NJCAA Region 9, Marci Henry made the transition to NJCAA officer at the start of the 2015-16 academic year when she was elected to the women’s first vice president position.

Since 2005, Henry has been a member of the Division I volleyball committee, serving as chair the past six seasons. She has been a respected member of the Division I women’s basketball committee since 2007 and currently serves on the organization’s finance and budget and eligibility committees.


NJCAA SERVICE AWARD
Awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the NJCAA on a national level for an extended period of time.

Dudley “Skip” Bailey  |  Monroe Community College (NY)
As a baseball coach, athletic director and region director, Bailey has been a fixture within the NJCAA for more than 35 years.  The NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee has spent his entire tenure with Monroe Community College (N.Y.) where he has served as the college’s athletic director since 2010.

Bailey was presented the award for his leadership at regional and national levels. Since 2008, Bailey has served as the assistant men’s region 3 director. During his tenure he has chaired numerous regional committees such and has been a key leader on its Standard & Ethics Committee. Nationally, Bailey has chaired both the Division III baseball and swimming and diving sport committees and was a member of the ad-hoc committee that tackled the re-organization of the NJCAA constitution and bylaws during the NJCAA Excellence Initiative.

Dale Vos  |  St. Clair County Community College (MI)
For over 20 years, Vos has led St. Clair County (Mich.) as head men’s basketball coach, men’s golf coach and athletic director, in addition to his role as the director of advising.

Since 2000, Vos has served as the men’s director of NJCAA Region 12. In that time, Vos has worked diligently, serving on various committees to help improve the region and national landscape. His national committee involvement includes service on the committees for finance and budget, health and safety, Division II men’s basketball and Division II men’s golf. 

Tyler Cundith  |  Johnson County Community College (KS)
Hard-working. Dedicated. Respected. Just a few of the many words that describe the longtime Johnson County (Kan.) sports information director. For over two decades, Cundith has helped promote and tell the story of the Cavaliers, including 11 national championships, 96 region titles, 121 conference championships and over a 1,000 individual NJCAA All-Americans.

Outside of Johnson County, Cundith is a recognized and distinguished professional amongst his colleagues through his work with the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). In addition to earning over 200 publication and writing awards, Cundith is best known for his work on the CoSIDA Publication Committee since 2002. During the organization’s annual convention in 2015, Cundith made history as he became the first two-year college representative to be elected to the CoSIDA Board of Directors.


NJCAA MERIT AWARD
Given to former two-year college athletes who have distinguished themselves and are recognized nationally for their achievements in a variety of appropriate fields.

Kwamie Lassiter  |  Butler Community College (KS)
A stalwart defensive back during his playing days, Lassiter spent 10 seasons in the NFL as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams – despite beginning his career as an undrafted free agent. Prior joining the NFL ranks, Lassiter attended Butler (Kan.) from 1989-91 before moving on to the University of Kansas.

Following his playing career, the former All-Pro returned to the NJCAA for two seasons as a defensive coach for Mesa (Ariz.) before taking a position with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (UFL).

Away from the gridiron, Lassiter has been a champion citizen. His charitable work includes the creation of the Teaching All Children to Kickoff Leadership through Education (T.A.C.K.L.E.) Foundation which provides children of low-income families academic supplies and promotes their success through education. In 2012, he established the Kwamie Lassiter Foundation, a non-for-profit organization with a mission to make health and wellness a priority by increasing awareness to a better living.

Ross Pesek  |  Central Community College (NE)
In spite of trading his basketball sneakers for a pair of wingtips, Pesek – a former NJCAA DII Basketball All-American – still finds success on the court although there’s no three-point arc or free-throw line. Pesek, who graduated from Central (Neb.) in 2005 prior to earning his juris doctorate with distinction from the University of Nebraska, is a nationally recognized lawyer with his own practice specializing in immigration.

With a desire to assist others, the former Raiders standout is an advocate for immigrants and their families. He provides complimentary legal services and recently opened a free legal clinic. Pesek’s charitable acts expand past the legal arena, establishing the True Potential Scholarship program which awards 12 full-tuition scholarships to immigrant students attending community colleges who would otherwise not be eligible for financial aid based on their immigration status. In 2016, the scholarship will be awarded to an additional 15 to 20 recipients.

Pesek, who currently serves on the Metropolitan Community College Foundation Board of Directors, has garnered notable honors including being named Nebraska’s Ambassador by the American Immigration Council as well as recognition as one of the Top 40 under 40 Lawyers for 2015 by The National Advocates.


NJCAA RETIREMENTS
The NJCAA recognizes those individuals who will be retiring for their service towards the NJCAA.

Dr. George Knox  |  Labette (Kan.)
Dr. George Knox has been a valued and respected member of the NJCAA President Representatives since his inaugural term in 2007. During his tenure with the NJCAA, the longtime President of Labette (Kan.) has provided great perspective and leadership on the board of directors, especially in regards to his service on the standard and ethics, executive and eligibility committees.


NJCAA SERVICE MEDALS
Awarded to individuals who have served for 10, 15, 20 or 25 years as an assistant region director, region director, officer, coaches association president or presidential representative.  

20 Years of Service

Bill Carlyle  |  Walters State Community College (TN)
Region 7 Men’s Assistant Director: 1996 – Present

Bryce Roderick  |  Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference
NJCAA President: 2014 – Present
NJCAA 2^nd Vice President for Women: 2009-2014
NJCAA Secretary for Women: 2008-2009
Region 6 Women’s Director: 1996-2007

Susan Sinclair  |  Illinois Central College
Region 24 Women’s Director: 2004 – Present
Region 24 Women's Assistant Director: 2001-2004
NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association President: 1995-98, 2002-2004

15 Years of Service

Tim Drain  |  Tyler Junior College (TX)
Region 14 Women’s Director: 2001 – Present

Dan Lumpkin  |  Cleveland State Community College (TN)
Region 7 Women’s Director: 2001 – Present

Roark Montgomery  |  Navarro College (TX)
Region 14 Men’s Director: 2007 – Present
Region 14 Men’s Assistant Director: 2001-2007

Laurel Sue Smith  |  Polk State College (FL)
Region 8 Women’s Assistant Director: 2001 – Present


10 Years of Service

Christopher DePew  |  Sullivan County Community College (NY)
Region 15 Men’s Director: 2013 – Present
Region 15 Men’s Assistant Director: 2005-2011, 2012-2013

Daniel DuBois  |  Monroe Community College (NY)
NJCAA Swimming & Diving Coaches Association President: 2003-2006, 2012 – Present
NJCAA Swimming & Diving Coaches Association Vice President: 2000-2003

Lind Hartsell  |  NJCAA Region 10 Men’s Director
Region 10 Men’s Director: 2012 – Present
Region 10 Women’s Director: 2006-2012

Walter Hauck  |  Westchester Community College (NY)
NJCAA Bowling Coaches Association President: 1999-2003, 2010 – Present

Mark Krug  |  NJCAA Assistant Executive Director; Media Relations
NJCAA Assistant Executive Director; Media Relations: 2010 – Present
NJCAA Director of Sports Information & Media Relations: 2008-2010
NJCAA Assistant to the Executive Director: 2006-2008

Zach Loll  |  Wabash Valley College (IL)
Region 24 Women’s Assistant Director: 2006 – Present

Darren Pannier  |  State Fair Community College (MO)
Region 16 Women’s Director: 2008 – Present
Region 16 Women’s Assistant Director: 2006-2008

Jack Sullivan  |  County College of Morris (NJ)
Region 19 Men’s Assistant Director: 2006 – Present