2007 College PRISM Award Winners
AMHERST, MA - The University of Massachusetts Amherst Sport Management Program today named the University of Oklahoma and Monmouth University as recipients of the College Turnkey PRISM Awards in the Division I-A and Division I-AA/AAA categories, respectively. (Florida State and Auburn garner Honorable Mention awards)
This is the second year that the PRISM Awards have been presented at the collegiate level. The PRISM Awards (Professionalism, Results and Innovation in Sport Management) recognize colleges for managerial excellence across five areas: 1) Advancement and Management of Constituent Relationships; 2) Student-Athlete Development; 3) Fundraising/Development Strategies, 4) Innovative Marketing and 5) Employee Development.
“Both the University of Oklahoma and Monmouth University distinguished themselves in the categories that define the PRISM ideals,” said UMass PRISM Program Director Steve McKelvey. “Both universities are a testament to the level of collegiate sport management expertise and innovation that collegiate athletic programs should aspire to.”
Two Division I-A Honorable Mention Awards were given for proven excellence and innovation within a particular category. Auburn University garnered an Honorable Mention in the category of Employee Development, highlighted by its “Start Your Month off Right” leadership seminars. Florida State University earned an Honorable Mention in the category of Fundraising/Development Strategies, highlighted by its Seminole Boosters Club that incorporates student-athletes and its extensive database marketing initiatives.
Among the highlights of the University of Oklahoma’s winning PRISM submission were its innovative partnership between its athletic department and the OU Libraries, its Sooner Stilettos program, its groundbreaking PROS (Psychological Resources for OU Student-Athletes) program, and its commitment to diversity training of its athletic office employees.
"The University of Oklahoma is both thrilled and grateful to be selected as the recipient of this prestigious Award,” said Athletic Director Joe Castiglione. “We want to express our sincere gratitude to the University of Massachusetts and their nationally recognized sports management program for this significant recognition. Many of the key elements the PRISM Award measures are reflected in our strategic plan, the blueprint for all of our decisions. Achievements of this caliber are a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our talented staff. I want to congratulate them on their collective efforts to develop and implement these creative strategies as well as their dedication to improve them on a daily basis. Many of these programs lead to an enhancement of the learning environment for our student-athletes and the acquisition of critical skills to help make their big dreams become a reality.”
Monmouth University, located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, also demonstrated excellence in athletic administration. Winners of three consecutive Northeast Conference Commissioners Cup Awards, the highlights of Monmouth University’s winning PRISM submission included its “Do You Know the Code?” program as part of its student-athlete development initiatives; its head coaches-driven annual fundraising campaigns; and its extensive marketing efforts targeting the local community.
“Monmouth University is delighted to win this award and be counted amongst such elite company,” said Athletic Director Marilyn McNeil. “It is a testimony to the passion for athletics that our coaches, student-athletes and administrators bring to the Hawk's playing field every day! We collectively thank the Sport Management Program at Massachusetts for taking the time to evaluate and honor all of us."
The winners of the inaugural College PRISM Awards were the University of Maryland and Virginia Commonwealth University.
The Turnkey PRISM Awards, presented in partnership with Turnkey Sports and Entertainment, are also presented annually to franchises at both the major and minor league levels that demonstrate excellence in five categories of professional sport franchise management. The 2006 Professional PRISM Award winners were the Philadelphia Flyers (Major League) and Rochester Red Wings (Minor League). The 2006 Professional PRISM Award winners will be announced in May.
For additional information on the Turnkey PRISM Award program, visit www.isenberg.umass.edu/sportmgt
Contact: Tracy Schoenadel, University of Massachusetts, (413) 545-5066, tracys@sportmgt.umass.edu.