Calhoun to receive NACWAA Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year Award
September 23, 2009
This year, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) will honor Indiana University's Grace Calhoun with its Nell Jackson Award. The award is given annually in honor of women's track and field pioneer Nell Jackson, to an athletics administrator who demonstrates qualities such as courage, conviction and perseverance, and who is an advocate for gender equity and diversity.
Serving in her fourth year at IU as associate athletics director, Calhoun is a member of the senior staff in the IU athletic director's office and also in the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, and represents the institution in Big Ten and NCAA governance. Calhoun directs the IU staff and operations of the 20-person Office of Student Development and Compliance, which coordinates academic services, student services, compliance, governance, eligibility, financial aid and admissions functions for the department. She serves as sport administrator for the women's basketball program, provides general support for all other women's athletics programs and ensures that women's issues are represented at appropriate levels. She also is the liaison to the IU Bloomington campus community.
Eight Administrator of the Year awards, including Calhoun's, will be presented at the NACWAA's national convention in Denver on Oct. 13. Noreen Morris of Northwestern University, Jacqueline Blackett of Columbia University, Kathy Klein of the University of North Florida, Deborah Chin of the University of New Haven, Kim Chandler of Macalester College, Norma Carr of Salt Lake Community College, and Christine Hoyles of the Pacific 10 Conference will be the other Administrator of the Year recipients in their respective categories.
"NACWAA is honored to pay special recognition to each of these eight outstanding women for their hard work and dedication to the field of intercollegiate athletics," said Jennifer Alley, executive director.
The Administrator of the Year Award is sponsored by Jostens and is bestowed to NACWAA members whom have made significant contributions as administrators of intercollegiate athletics.
Nell Jackson was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1949, she set an American record of 24.2 seconds in the 200 meters and in 1950 won the national title at 200 meters, running for Tuskegee Institute. She also anchored Tuskegee's winning 4x100-meter relay team that same year. Jackson was a member of the 1948 U.S. Olympic team and was the U.S. Olympic women's head coach in 1956 and 1972, becoming the first African American to be named head coach of the team.
