The NCAA News - News and Features

May 18, 1998

Honda banquet to become part of NACDA convention

Organizing the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year Banquet is a challenge under the best of circumstances, but this year, it is twice the test.

The program, which has been conducted in conjunction with the NCAA Convention every year since 1981, this year will become part of the annual meeting of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. The dinner will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. June 14 at the Marriott Hotel in Marco Island, Florida.

Judith Holland of the University of California, Los Angeles, who serves as the primary administrator for the event, said the change has compressed what normally is a one-year selection process into a six-month window.

Although the primary part of the program is the presentation of the Honda-Broderick Cup, top female student-athletes also are recognized in 11 sports (basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and volleyball). Recognition also is provided for athletes of the year in Divisions II and III; an Inspiration Award and an Award of Merit also are given.

Holland said the urgency of the situation ("This has been done with some panic," she joked) has led to a new approach that has been so successful that it probably will become the voting model that will be used in the future. Rather than having separate ballots for the various sports, they are being grouped into only three ballots. A fax-back system is being used for voters to file their responses, which are requested within two days.

As hectic as it seems, Holland said the outcome has been positive.

"It has increased our response rate by 50 percent," she said.

Holland said the change of site was brought about because of the new format of the NCAA Convention. She said indications are that the new legislative format in Division I will lead to diminished attendance in that division.

"The program is not just for Division I," Holland said, "but many of the winners are from Division I. Our board examined all of the possibilities and decided that the NACDA convention (June 14-17) provided the best opportunity for a national forum."

As it happens, the change may work well both for the Honda dinner and for NACDA, which might gain increased attendance from female administrators.

"We are very pleased the Honda Sports Awards Program has chosen the NACDA convention as the site for its annual awards dinner," said Vincent J. Dooley, director of athletics at the University of Georgia. "This is an extraordinary event we are proud to host."

Honda donates $5,000 to each honoree's institution for the general scholarship fund. An additional $1,000 is provided to each nominee's institution.

Reservation cards were provided with a NACDA mailing on convention information. Questions may be addressed to Tora Grossman at 619/481-3484.

Honda winners

Winners who have already been determined for the Honda Awards Program, which will be conducted June 14 in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention.

Gymnastics

Kim Arnold, University of Georgia

Volleyball

Kristin Folkl, Stanford University

Basketball

Chamique Holdsclaw, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Swimming and diving

Misty Hyman, Stanford University

Cross country

Carrie Tollefson, Villanova University

Field hockey

Cindy Werley, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Soccer

Sara Whalen, University of Connecticut

Inspiration Åward

Heidi Anderson, volleyball, Bentley College

Award of Merit

Judith M. Sweet, director of athletics, University of California, San Diego.