June 16, 2009

Ron Case, Gloucester County College, Northeast Region

Athletics Director Ron Case has presided over a run of unprecedented success since he arrived at Gloucester County College (GCC) in 1991. During his tenure, the Roadrunners have won 14 NJCAA Division III National Championships and GCC teams have finished in the top three in the country 41 times. The GCC athletics program was recognized as the top community college program in the state of New Jersey during the 1997-98 school year when it was awarded the inaugural CAANJ Cup, which is presented by the Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey. The Roadrunners have continued this excellence by winning the Cup six more times since. The Roadrunners also have finished in the top three in the NATYCAA Cup Standings for Overall Program Excellence during the past two years (2nd place-2006-07 & 3rd place 2007-08). Case is a former NACDA Executive Committee Member and is currently a NATYCAA Executive Committee Member, of which he is also a Past President. Ron received NACDA's ADOY for the Northeast Region in 2002-03 and 2005-06. He is also the recipient of NATYCAA's L. William Miller Award (2002), the Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey (CAANJ) Garden State Award (2007), Gloucester County College's Medallion Award For Service To The College And Community (2007) and was recently inducted into the Gloucester County Sports Hall of Fame (2009).

Michael Matulia, Lake Sumter Community College, Southeast Region

Mike Matulia was hired in 1997 to restart the Lake Sumter Community College (LSCC) athletics program that was discontinued in 1988. He spent his first full year establishing the framework for the athletics program and preparing to initiate LSCC's invitation in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA). In the fall of 1998, LSCC began intercollegiate play and the plan for the development of several athletics facility renovations and construction projects. Because of Matulia's efforts, the college received grants and state funding to begin renovation of the gymnasium, which was completed and dedicated in 1999. In the spring of 2000, the first phase of the LSCC Sports and Recreation Complex was completed. Today, the Sports and Recreation Complex is one of the best facilities for junior/community colleges. The athletics program also has three full-time coaches to coach the three sports teams. Matulia has earned the respect and cooperation of the local communities, where he serves on several councils. Matulia's duties in fund raising and program development have brought about the annual athletics department Golf Classic, which raises more than $20,000 annually.

Brenda Hampton, Iowa Western Community College, Central Region

Brenda Hampton is in her seventh year as Iowa Western's athletics director. She provides leadership for 17 sports programs and has overseen the expansion of 10 Reiver sports programs in the last six years. In her short tenure, Hampton has seen a record-setting 50 student-athletes named NJCAA Academic All-Americans. During the last five years, the men's basketball team has produced six NJCAA All-Americans; women's soccer-six, along with volleyball-five, baseball-five, women's basketball-one, men's soccer-one, track and field-three, and softball-four. Two years ago, Hampton submitted a bid (and won) to the NJCAA Championship Events Committee to bring the NJCAA Division I Volleyball National Tournament to Council Bluffs and the Mid-America Center. Serving as the Tournament Director, Hampton directed close to 1,000 staffers and volunteers in planning and organizing the tournament. The tournament was a huge success embraced by the coaches, players, fans and the community of Council Bluffs. Hampton serves on the NJCAA Executive Committee and as the NJCAA Region XI Women's Regional Director. Hampton also serves on the Executive Committee of the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) and is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

Art Becker, Scottsdale Community College, West Region

Art Becker is completing his 34th year as a faculty member in the health, physical education, recreation and dance department at Scottsdale Community College. During his tenure at SCC, Becker has coached both the men's basketball and men's tennis teams and was appointed director of men's athletics in 1984. A member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) since 1984, Becker has served as a member of the NACDA Executive Committee as a Junior/Community College representative as well as being a founding member of The National Alliance of Two Year Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA). He is also Past President of NATYCAA. Becker has served the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference in many capacities and is currently Conference Treasurer. He has served as NJCAA Region I Men's Assistant Director and as Region I Director. In 2004, he was elected vice president for men for the NJCAA. In 2005, he was elected for his first term as president of the NJCAA and in April 2008, he was elected for his second term.