EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Athletics has earned two Jostens/National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators Community Service Awards for projects/activities conducted during the 2011-12 school year, NADIIIAA recently announced.

UW-Eau Claire was one of only 14 NCAA Division III institutions to be selected for the award, which has three categories. More than 430 Division III institutions from around the nation are eligible for the community service awards.

The Blugolds earned an Award of Merit in the On-Going Project/Activity category for the women’s volleyball team’s efforts during its annual breast cancer awareness night. The Blugolds also earned an honorable mention in the Array of Projects/Activities for the amount of activities the entire department conducts each year.

"We are honored to receive these Jostens/NADIIIAA Community Service Awards," Director of Athletics Scott Kilgallon said. "I am particularly proud of our coaches and athletics staff for meeting our goal of serving as teachers outside the classroom by intentionally working with our student-athletes to give back to those less fortunate and serving as positive role models. Our student-athletes are genuinely committed to the many community outreach projects they are involved in, and through their efforts they are a great source of pride for UW-Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley."

This is the fourth time since the award's inception in 2000-01 the Blugolds have been honored. View Award History

The NADIIIAA is an association comprised of athletics administrators from NCAA Division III institutions around the country. A primary purpose of the NADIIIAA is to encourage the continued development of athletics programs focused on the student-athlete and based on sound educational philosophy.

Minneapolis-based Jostens is a leading provider of products, programs and services that help people celebrate important moments, recognize achievements and build affiliation. The Company's products include yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, school photography, employee and achievement awards, and products for athletics departments and their fans.

One-Time Project/Activity
Winner: SUNY-Oneonta
Award of Merit: Emory & Henry, SUNY-Geneseo, Salem State
Honorable Mention: Springfield College

An Array of Projects/Activities
Winner: Oswego State
Award of Merit: Saint Mary’s (Minn.), Wittenberg
Honorable Mention: UW-Eau Claire, University of Saint Joseph (Conn.)

On-Going Project/Activity
Winner: Haverford College
Award of Merit: UW-Eau Claire, University of Chicago
Honorable Mention: Baldwin Wallace, Alverno

-KM-