2020 Merit Award

NJCAA Merit Award

First awarded in 1990, the Merit Award is given to a former NJCAA student-athlete that has distinguished themselves and are recognized nationally for their achievements in their profession.  The Merit Award has been given to NJCAA alumni in various fields including professional sports, politics, and music.  To view past Merit Award winners, visit: NJCAA Merit Award Recipients.

Manny Ohonme – Lake Region State College (ND)  |  Samaritan's Feet, President & CEO

Emmanuel "Manny" Ohonme is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Samaritan's Feet, an international nonprofit organization that provides shoes to children as a foundation to building a healthy life and providing advanced educational and economic opportunities. 

Ohonme, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, came to the United States on a full scholarship to play men's basketball at Lake Region State College (ND) in Region XIII.  Following his time in Devils Lake, Ohonme earned a bachelor's degree from Concordia College and a Master's degree in agricultural economics and applied economics in logistics and transportation from North Dakota State University.

In 2003, Ohonme and his wife Tracie, who he met while attending Lake Region State, founded Samaritan's Feet with the purpose of providing shoes to children around the world.  The cause is near to Ohonme's heart because he, too, grew up as a child without any shoes. 

When Ohonme was nine years old, a group of Christian missionaries from Wisconsin hosted a basketball competition in Lagos.  Ohonme won the competition, winning his first pair of tennis shoes, and his life was forever changed.  The pair of shoes sparked Ohonme's passion for basketball.  The pair of shoes provided Ohonme with the opportunity to better his life. 

Since its founding, Samaritan's Feet has worked to serve more than 7 million people in over 100 different countries and over 400 cities within the United States.  The organization promotes the ideals of servant leadership every day through the gift of shoes, the act of washing feet, and the encouragement of those who need it most. 

"Manny has demonstrated what outstanding NJCAA student-athletes go on to do in life and in the professional world," expressed Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO.  "The NJCAA is so proud of Manny's accomplishments and he is overly deserving of this award."

Ohonme spreads his message of servant leadership through motivational speaking engagements and through his book, Sole Purpose. 

For the past six seasons, Lake Region State has continued Ohonme's legacy in Devils Lake.  The athletic department hosts a shoe drive and the men's and women's basketball coaches coach a game barefoot to support Samaritan's Feet.  In October 2016, Ohonme was inducted into the Lake Region State Hall of Fame.

The NJCAA and Samaritan's Feet teamed twice in the 2019-20 academic year, conducting a shoe drive in conjunction with #NJCAADay on October 17, 2019, and in February 2020 to sponsor the organization's Annual Barefoot Coach Awareness campaign. 

For all 2020 NJCAA Annual Award Winners, visit: 2020 NJCAA Annual Award Winners Home

For all NJCAA Honors, please visit: NJCAA Honors Home