2023 George E. Killian Award of Excellence
George E. Killian Award of Excellence
Since 2006, The George E. Killian Award of Excellence has been awarded annually to individuals that have demonstrated the ideals of voluntarism, achievement, service, leadership, and excellence as exemplified by its namesake. Only active Region Directors, Assistant Region Directors, Coaches Association Presidents, Presidential Representatives, and Officers are eligible for consideration with a minimum of two years of national service to the NJCAA. George E. Killian was one of the most influential leaders in the history of the Association. To view a list of past winners, visit: George E. Killian Award of Excellence Winners
Kristen Schuth – Genesee Community College (NY)
Kristen Schuth was named Director of Athletics at Genesee Community College in May 2013, overseeing 13 intercollegiate athletic programs and multiple facilities on Genesee's main campus. Schuth was promoted to the Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement and Inclusion in 2019, while still serving as the Director of Athletics. Schuth now oversees the Student Engagement and Inclusion office with the responsibilities of management of orientation, campus clubs and programming, student government, and commencement as well as athletics.
Under Schuth's leadership, Genesee has captured two national championships, 12 regional titles, and 17 conference titles. The athletic department produced two dual chancellor's award winners, four athletic chancellor's award winners, 39 NJCAA All-Americans, 236 All-Region players, and 217 All-Conference players under Schuth. Academics are always a priority for Schuth as well, as the college's athletic department has also produced two Academic All-American Teams, 173 Academic All-Americans, 205 Academic All-Region, and 334 Academic All-Conference awards since 2013.
Since taking the reins as the Director of Athletics at Genesee, Schuth has become more involved at the regional and national levels. Schuth became part of regional leadership in 2016 when she became the NJCAA Region 3 Women's Assistant Director and currently serves as the NJCAA Region 3 Women's Director and NJCAA Region 3 Board of Regents member. Schuth also chairs the NJCAA Division III Softball Committee, the NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer Committee, and the NJCAA Division III Oversight Committee, in addition to being a member of the NJCAA Lacrosse Committee. In recent years, Genesee has hosted several national championship events including the NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship, the NJCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship, and the NJCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.
Troy Tucker – Northampton Community College (PA)
Troy Tucker was named Director of Athletics at Northampton Community College in June of 2008. Tucker is a four-time National Athletic Director of the Year (Under Armour 2020, 2017, 2013, NSCAA 1998) and the recipient of the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrator's (NATYCAA) highest honor, the L. William Miller Award (2022), which is presented annually to a member of NATYCAA who demonstrates excellence in leadership, service, and integrity in an athletics program at a two-year college or organization.
Tucker also serves as the Executive Director of Region 19, overseeing the operations of the 28 NJCAA member colleges, and serves as the Chief Information Officer. In 2018, Tucker was appointed to the NJCAA Board of Regents as the Region 19 representative and was named the Chair of the NJCAA Eligibility Committee in 2020. While serving at the national level, Tucker has shown a deep commitment to the association, advocating for the betterment of its student-athletes and member colleges.
Under Tucker's leadership, the Northampton Spartans have experienced great success including winning an NJCAA individual national title, 13 Region 19 team Championships, 24 Region 19 individual titles, have claimed 11 Region 19 runner-up plaques, 38 Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference titles, have had 221 student-athletes named All-Region, 169 named All-Conference, 99 named NJCAA All-Academic, 32 earn NJCAA All-American honors, 26 named EPAC Player of the Year and 18 named Region 19 Player of the Year. The Northampton athletics program has also been awarded the Region 19 Champions of Character Award seven times for the program's commitment to community service, sportsmanship, and character development of its student-athletes while under the helm of Tucker.
For all 2023 NJCAA Honors and Annual Award Winners, visit: 2022-23 NJCAA Award Winners
For all NJCAA Honors, please visit: NJCAA Honors Home