The assistant vice president is recognized for his longtime service to the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association and his contributions to UMB and the field of campus recreation.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Bill Crockett, MS, RCRSP, assistant vice president of student affairs, business and facility operations, has been named the 2024 recipient of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Honor Award.
Crockett, who has worked at UMB for nearly 34 years, will receive the award during the NIRSA Annual Conference on April 17 in Phoenix.
Crocket said he was “grateful and humbled” to be recognized with the Honor Award, the highest distinction bestowed by NIRSA, which was founded in 1950. It recognizes a member for outstanding achievements in the campus recreation profession and exemplary service to the association.
“It means a lot to me, and I’m still processing the overwhelming and humbling feelings that come with it,” Crockett said of the recognition. “I owe much to the guidance and support of my mentors, colleagues, and dear friends who have inspired me. I am grateful to those who called me a mentor, as they may not realize how much they have impacted my personal journey. Ultimately, it is the relationships and friendships I have formed within the association and the profession that are most valued.”
NIRSA announced the award with an article on its website recapping Crockett’s contributions to UMB, the association, the field of campus recreation, and the lives of colleagues over the past 30-plus years. Crockett is a past president of NIRSA and has served the association in numerous other roles over the years. (Read the article at this link.)
Patty Alvarez, PhD, MS, chief student affairs officer and associate vice president, Division of Student Affairs, UMB, pointed out in the article that Crockett played a key role in the planning and construction of the University’s SMC Campus Center.
“[This] beautiful facility that brings the UMB community together [is] due to Bill’s vision, collaborative spirit, and heart,” Alvarez said. “Throughout his career, Bill has progressively taken on more responsibilities, including serving as executive director of student affairs and operations before assuming his current role.”
Alvarez said Crockett is known as “a lifelong learner [who] operates with a continuous improvement lens and is a much-respected colleague and leader who is always willing to lend a helping hand and his expertise.”
Mick Deluca, assistant vice chancellor of campus life at UCLA and a past NIRSA president and Honor Award recipient, praised Crockett for making a major impact on the association.
“In each role or position, whether it was state director, committee member or chair, regional leadership role, conference or workshop host, commission member, Foundation Board member, NIRSA board member, or NIRSA president, Bill’s calm demeanor, inclusive style, data-driven insights, voice of reason, and value-driven leadership have proven inordinately effective and truly moved many major initiatives forward in the association,” Deluca said.