North American Society for Sport Management

This year’s recipient of NASSM’s highest honor is Dr. Karen Danylchuk an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Western Ontario. Karen has been a faculty member at Western since 1986 teaching in the area of Sport Management and has also served as Coordinator of Intercollegiate Athletics, Women’s Tennis and Golf Coach, and Undergraduate Chair.

I’m extremely thrilled and honored to be the 2010 recipient of the Earle F. Zeigler Lecture Award. This honor holds special significance for me due to my longstanding interaction with Dr. Zeigler over the years. Not only do I consider him a pioneer of our academic discipline, but also a mentor and friend.  When I arrived at The University of Western Ontario in 1980 to begin a Master of Arts in Physical Education with a specialization in “Sport Administration” (as it was called at the time), I had the special privilege of having Dr. Zeigler as my program supervisor. Earle had already served as the Dean of our Faculty and was back in the throes of doing what he always did so well—advising, motivating, and encouraging students. During this time, Dr. Zeigler engaged me in his ongoing filing project whereby I searched the library for any new materials in our field and recorded the reference citations in his card index system.  We didn’t have the luxury of computer, Google, and all the other present day “quick find” search engines. Research entailed ongoing trips to the library, handwritten notes, typewriter (hopefully with a corrector key!) produced papers, and punch cards for data entry. Times have certainly changed, but Earle has remained the same supportive mentor for me!  He currently resides in Richmond, British Columbia, and at age 90 is still as productive as ever publishing books, articles, commentaries, etc.

I’m equally honored to be joining the distinguished group of previous recipients of this award. Not only are they outstanding scholars, but wonderful individuals. Each one has played some part in my career path as mentors, research collaborators, or NASSM colleagues on Executive Council and other committees. 

And finally, I’m delighted to receive this award from an association that holds so much meaning to me. I have attended every NASSM conference since 1987 and can truthfully admit that one of the best decisions I ever made was to get involved with this association. I encourage any newcomers to NASSM to do the same, whether that involvement comes through the student executive or other committees. NASSM has opened doors to me along my career journey and I am grateful for these opportunities.  As well, it has allowed me to meet scholarly and fun people, professors and students alike, who share a similar interest in the field.  It has been a privilege to be a member of an organization that has served as the impetus and role model for other regional associations around the globe. I look forward to my continued involvement.  See you all in Tampa!