2025 Walter Hauck NJCAA Coaches Association President of the Year award
Walter Hauck NJCAA Coaches Association President of the Year
Created in the Spring of 2024, the Walter Hauck NJCAA Coaches Association President of the Year award recognizes an NJCAA President for his/her many years of dedicated service, devotion, and commitment to the NJCAA organization. The recipient of the award is determined by the President and CEO. This year marks the inaugural year of the award being given.
Walter Hauck, was a longtime and dedicated fixture in the NJCAA. With over four decades of service at Westchester Community College (NY), Hauck held positions of head bowling coach, head golf coach, and assistant athletic director. For over 15 years, Hauck served as the President of the NJCAA Bowling Coaches Association after 10 years as Vice President. Hauck was the 2009-10 recipient of the Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award and was inducted into the NJCAA Bowling Coaches Association Hall of Fame as well as the Westchester Community College Sports Hall of Fame. Hauck sadly passed in July 2023 but left a lasting legacy amongst the NJCAA community.
Jeff Willis – LSU Eunice (LA)
Jeff Willis is in his 23rd season as the Head Baseball Coach at LSU Eunice and his 21st year as Athletic Director at LSUE. Willis also serves as a Board Member for the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and has been a member of the association for 23 years. In 2024, Willis was recognized for his service to the ABCA by being inducted into their Hall of Fame. As the NJCAA representative for the ABCA, Willis is charged with representing all NJCAA member coaches and institutions. Willis was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2023.
"Jeff is a tireless advocate for our institution and the NJCAA but most importantly, our student-athletes," LSU Eunice President, Dr. Nancee Sorenson, said. "His relentless pursuit of excellence, both on and off the field, is contagious for our entire LSUE community. He has a special talent for problem solving and finding solutions that benefit everyone. Jeff is deserving of this award and his many accolades because of his work ethic, stewardship of our athletic department, and care for our student-athletes."
Under Willis' leadership, the Bengals have established themselves as one of the premier junior college programs in the nation. He holds a 1051-226 record (.823 winning percentage), and the Bengals have never finished lower than seventh in the national rankings. After winning eight NJCAA Division II National Championships, Willis guided LSU Eunice up to the NJCAA Division I level in 2024-25.
Willis' accolades are extensive, having earned 11 ABCA Diamond Regional Coach of the Year Awards, 11 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year Awards, 10 NJCAA District Coach of the Year Awards, a Louisville Slugger Coach of the Year Award, two Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year Awards, and seven NJCAA National Coach of the Year Awards.
For all 2025 NJCAA Honors and Annual Award Winners, visit: 2024-25 NJCAA Award Winners
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