1999 to 2000 – National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators

Bridget Belgiovine’s presidency was highlighted by the establishments of both the NACWAA Foundation Fund and the Nell Jackson Award program.

The Foundation Fund launched at the 1999 Fall Forum with a “Night of Choice and Chance” as NACWAA members raised a total of $25,873.

This fund was created to support NACWAA internships and scholarships for members to participate in professional development opportunities. In support of the long-term potential of the Foundation Fund, both the Foundation Fund Database and the Foundation Fund Advisory Council were implemented under the direction of Bridget and Executive Director Jennifer Alley.

As NACWAA numbers increased and the younger membership began to make significant waves in the industry, NACWAA created the Nell Jackson Award to recognize its younger demographic.

“Dr. Nell Jackson was a pioneer in women’s athletics as an athlete, coach, and administrator. She was instrumental in transforming women’s sports into funded, equitable athletics programs. This award recognizes up-and-coming athletic administrators who exemplify the personal qualities and professional accomplishments of Dr. Nell Jackson” (NACWAA Spring Issue 2000).

“The Nell Jackson Award will be given to a NACWAA member who demonstrates qualities such as courage, leadership, compassion, conviction, perseverance and who is an advocate for gender equity and diversity” (Spring Issue 2000).

The 2000 Fall Forum in Denver held the inaugural Nell Jackson Award program as Ball State University Assistant Athletics Director/SWA Nona E. Richardson was named the first Nell Jackson Award winner.

Other major accomplishments from NACWAA during this time:

• Participated in the Title IX National Teleconference
• Hosted a panel, “Title IX-Unlimited Potential; Pooling our Power”, at the 2000 National Coalition for Sex Equity in Education (NCSEE). Panelists included M. Dianne Murphy, Joan McDermott, Carolayne Henry, and Marti Gasser
• Established the Speakers Bureau
• Began sending a Weekly Update via email (Listserve)
• Jobs and “NACWAA Notables” were posted weekly on the NACWAA website

NACWAA continued to be committed to recognizing the achievements and successes of administrators working in athletics. Click here to view all NACWAA/ Women Leaders in College Sports award winners.

Bridget Belgiovine’s career was highlighted by her time as the Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics (PERA) at Wellesley College, a position she held for the final 13 years of her career before retiring at the conclusion of the 2018-19 academic year.

Wellesley saw incredible transformation and success under the direction of Bridget. Over her tenure, Wellesley won 18 New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championships and made 28 team appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including an NCAA National Championship in rowing—marking Wellesley’s first NCAA championship in school history.

Prior to Wellesley, Bridget served as the Director of Division III at the NCAA, the Athletic Director at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, and the Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Women Administrator as Springfield College.

Bridget has received many honors as a distinguished administrator, including ECAC Administrator of the Year, Rotary Harris Fellow, Immaculate Heart Academy Hall of Fame, Springfield College Distinguished Alumna Award, Springfield College Tarbell Medallion, and a NACWAA Administrator of the Year award honoree.

Additional news in 2000:

After serving two terms as the first lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, becoming the first American first lady to ever win a public office seat.