WILMINGTON, N.C. – The National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA), on behalf of the Board of Directors, honored University of Hawai'i associate athletics director and senior woman administrator Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano as the recipient of the Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award.

 

Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano was among nine individuals who were honored at the Administrator of the Year, Honor and Distinction Awards Banquet at the 2010 NACWAA National Convention on Tuesday, October 12 at The Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.

 

“NACWAA is honored to pay special recognition to each of these nine outstanding individuals for their hard work and dedication to the field of intercollegiate athletics,” said Patti Phillips, Executive Director.

 

Presented to a NACWAA member, the Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award is bestowed annually to an athletics administrator who exemplifies the personal qualities and professional accomplishments of Dr. Nell Jackson, such as courage, conviction and perseverance and who is an advocate for gender equity and diversity. This year's recipient is Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano (University of Hawai'i at Manoa).

 

A former standout volleyball player for the Rainbow Wahine in the early 1970s, Moniz-Kahoohanohano has been a member of UH Athletics administration for the past 20 years. One of her major priorities continues to be the department's compliance with the Patsy Mink Act (Title IX). She was instrumental in producing UH's first gender equity plan, “If You Let Us Play…” which was revised to the “Just Do It” plan and currently the “Believe It, Achieve It” plan. The plan more than doubled the opportunities for female athletes at UH, from less than 100 to nearly 200, added four sports and tripled the budget, all in a decade's time.

 

NACWAA also announced recipients of its other awards.

 

The Administrator of the Year Award, sponsored by Jostens, is bestowed upon NACWAA members who have made significant contributions as administrators of intercollegiate athletics. The 2010 Administrator of the Year recipients are Petrina Long (University of California, Los Angeles, Division I Football Bowl Subdivision), Vicky Chun (Colgate University-Division I Football Championship Subdivision), Lisa Sweany (Grand Valley State University-Division II), Julie Davis (University of Maine-Farmington-Division III), Susan Hlavacek (Notre Dame College- NAIA) and Janet Judge (Sports Law Associates LLC-Organization).

 

The Honor Award recipient, presented annually to the individual who has exemplified support of women in athletics and their success, is the late Dr. Myles Brand (NCAA). Brand was a staunch advocate for Title IX, influential in academic reform both as a University President and as NCAA President, and was a friend to NACWAA.  Without his public statements in support of Title IX shortly after he became NCAA President, the battle to keep Title IX strong would have been far more difficult.  He truly believed in equitable opportunities and was an effective leader and spokesperson on that topic. Brand's academic research investigated the nature of human action.  His work focused on intention, desire, belief and other cognitive states, as well as deliberation and practical reasoning, planning and general goal-directed activity. 

 

The NACWAA Award of Distinction, sponsored by Jostens, is presented as special recognition to a male or female who has distinguished him/herself with any or all of the following: unique professional contributions, extraordinary service or professional accomplishments, personal courage. Diane Milutinovich will be awarded the Award of Distinction.  Milutinovich served as a coach and athletics administrator at California State University Fresno and was an advocate for Title IX and gender equity. She recently retired following a 27-year career at Fresno State University that ended when her discrimination lawsuit was settled. In recognition of her distinguished service, Fresno State conferred upon Diane the title of Associate Athletic Director Emeritus of the Athletics Department.  During Diane's tenure as Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator, she supervised many areas in the athletics department and served as a sports supervisor for 15 men's and women's sports.

 

 

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