PHOENIX, Ariz. – The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was the third-place recipient of a National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) Community Service Award on Friday at the NCAA Convention in Phoenix, Ariz.
 
NADIIIAA recognized the CCIW’s “Very Important Teammate” initiative as part of the Special Olympics Activity Category. CCIW Executive Director Maureen Harty accepted the award at reception on Friday at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.
 
The program invites Special Olympics athletics to be an integral part of CCIW Championships, including awards presentations. The program distributes special credentials for all Special Olympics athletes that participate as well as any others who come to campus for other events. The credential will gain them admission to any regular season CCIW contest.
 
The CCIW Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and all nine institutional SAAC Committees spearhead the efforts. Student-athletes from all nine campuses have taken part in the events.
 
The NADIIIAA Community Service Awards program, established in 2001, is intended to recognize the many contributions Division III student-athletes regularly make to their campuses and local communities. Recognition is given for projects in three categories: One-Time Activity/Project, Special Olympics Activity, and Community Partnerships. In addition to presenting commemorative awards to the three winning institutions, NADIIIAA will make up to a $1,000 contribution to the general scholarship fund at each of these institutions.