NAPERVILLE ---  During its annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration, marking the 20th anniversary of the event on campus, North Central College athletics has named Maureen "Mo" Harty, recently retired executive director of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), as the 2026 Cleo Tanner Award honoree for her lasting contributions to the conference and to collegiate athletics.

The Cleo Tanner Award for Outstanding Contributions to North Central College Women's Athletics was first awarded in 2006 to honor the contributions of an individual or individuals who have positively influenced women's athletics at the College. The Cleo Tanner Award is presented annually, in conjunction with North Central College's National Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration each February. 

"I never got into this work to be recognized, so I'm always shocked when I am," Harty said. "But this award really does mean a lot to me. I've always tried to advance women in athletics, and to have that recognized in this way is incredibly meaningful."

For Harty, National Girls and Women in Sports Day represents both reflection and responsibility.

"National Girls & Women in Sports Day represents the growth from where things started to where they are now, and it's also a chance to educate," she said. "Young women today don't always realize what previous generations had to fight for. That context matters."

Harty has spent nearly four decades shaping collegiate athletics through leadership, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to opportunity. She became the first woman to serve as commissioner of the CCIW, leading the conference from 2019 until her retirement in 2025. As only the second full-time commissioner in league history, she guided the CCIW through a period of competitive success, organizational growth, and enhanced student-athlete engagement. During her tenure, CCIW programs captured six team national championships and 30 individual national titles.

Under Harty's leadership, the CCIW expanded sport sponsorship with the addition of women's bowling in 2020 and women's wrestling in 2022, becoming the first conference in the nation to sponsor a women's wrestling championship. She also prioritized the student-athlete experience by expanding the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee structure, strengthening partnerships with Special Olympics, and launching new recognition platforms such as the Elite 26 and RESPECT awards.

One of Harty's most meaningful contributions came through advocacy, often behind the scenes, for women in leadership roles.

"When I took over the CCIW, I looked around and thought, 'Where are the senior woman administrators? Why aren't they at the table?'" Harty said. "So we changed that. We made sure more voices were heard."

She also championed professional development opportunities, including conference-wide WeCOACH memberships, ensuring access for coaches, administrators, graduate assistants, and student-athletes alike.

"I hope we continue to find ways to make careers in athletics accessible for women as they balance family and professional responsibilities," Harty said. "Flexibility doesn't mean less commitment, it means supporting people so they can succeed. Whether it's raising families or caring for loved ones, we need systems that allow people to thrive both personally and professionally."

Harty has been a respected leader within Division III athletics, serving on the Division III Commissioners Association Executive Board and chairing its Championships Committee. She also contributed to the NCAA Division III Championships Committee and initiatives such as Division III LGBTQ OneTeam and GameDay the DIII Way. Her involvement with Women Leaders in College Sports further reflected her commitment to mentorship and connection.

"I try to be a connector by introducing people, building networks, and helping others find opportunities whenever I can," she said. "I never felt like I was above anyone. Whether it was a student, an entry-level professional, or an athletic director, I tried to treat everyone the same and help however I could."

Harty's path into athletics was shaped early by opportunity and perspective. A multi-sport athlete growing up in Illinois, she later competed collegiately during the AIAW era at Colorado State University as a women's golf student-athlete.

"I didn't realize how fortunate I was until later," she said. "I was surrounded by strong women, female coaches, and leaders. It wasn't until I got into my career that I understood how rare that experience was."

Before joining the CCIW, Harty served as commissioner of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and spent more than five years at the NCAA national office. She also held leadership roles at Northwestern University, Dominican University, Northeastern Illinois University, and Saint Mary's College, building a career defined by growth, collaboration, and service.

As she reflects on her career, Harty hopes her legacy is rooted not in titles or trophies, but in how she treated people along the way.

"One of my favorite quotes is, 'People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care,'" she said. "If you want to advocate for women in sports, it's important to be kind and raise people up whenever you can. Showing people that you care, that you're available, and that you're willing to help, that's how real change happens."