David Riggins among recipients of D2 CCA Meritorious Service Award

CLEVELAND - The Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) is pleased to recognize Debbie Chin, Dave Pickle, David Riggins and Sharon Tufano as its D2 CCA Meritorious Service award recipients for 2019.
 
The D2 CCA Meritorious Service Award recognizes a commissioner with ten years of service once he/she leaves the position for the time and dedication they have made to Division II and is decided by the full CCA membership upon recommendation by the Awards Committee.  In addition, other individuals, including but not limited to conference office staff, institutional staff members, or NCAA staff members are also eligible to be recognized with this award.  The intent is to recognize these individuals once they retire or depart Division II; however, if an individual goes above and beyond in service to Division II, in particular, the CCA, they may be recognized even if they are still employed at a Division II conference office or institution.
 
"On behalf of the D2 CCA, we are thrilled to recognize these four outstanding individuals for their contributions to Division II by awarding each of them the Meritorious Service Award," stated current D2 CCA President Erin Lind, commissioner of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. "These recipients have made a tremendous impact across Division II athletics and are extremely worthy of this award."
 
Debbie Chin's career at the University of New Haven began back in 1975, when she started the women's intercollegiate athletics program of which she served as Coordinator. From there, Chin moved up the ranks eventually becoming the University of New Haven's fourth Director of Athletics in 1993.  Throughout her time in Division II, Chin established herself as a positive force at both the regional and national level. She served on over 30 governance committees and championing opportunities for female student-athletes. Chin has been heavily involved with the Coaches Connection program, served as a Board Member for the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA), served on the NCAA Membership Committee and chaired the NCAA Division II Management Council. Not only is Chin a legend at the University of New Haven, but she is also recognized internationally as a top volleyball clinician, serving at the volleyball commissioner at the 1995 Special Olympics World Games.
 
Dave Pickle is a familiar face with the NCAA, beginning his career at the National Office back in the 1970's. Pickle's second stint with the NCAA was his most impactful, serving as Chief of "The NCAA News", the Association's in-house publication. In addition to creating this weekly publication, Pickle produced the NCAA's first comprehensive strategic plan in 2002. While at the National Office, he was an advocate for Division II and admired the ambitious agendas designed to give DII an identity other than that of the "middle division." In his role at the National Office, he worked to make sure that DII had a seat at the table. It's rare to find people who really do love their jobs, but Pickle loved what he was doing, especially being involved with Division II.
 
David Riggins spent over 20 years with Mars Hill University, serving first as the Head Men's Basketball Coach and second as the Director of Athletics. During his time in collegiate athletics, Riggins was actively involved with the NCAA, having served on various committees including but not limited to the Championships Committee, Legislative Committee and Vice Chair for the DII Management Council. While at Mars Hill University, he is most notorious for being the winningest head men's basketball coach in the school's history and was inducted into the Mars Hill Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007. As Director of Athletics, he led the charge with giving various athletic facilities a face lift, most notably, the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium, formerly known as the Mars Hill Athletic Complex. Also, in his honor, the SAC named a service award after him that is awarded to a Conference administrator on an annual basis for outstanding service to the league. Riggins now resides with his wife in Weaverville, North Carolina.
 
Sharon Tufano was the glue of NCAA committee nominations and appointments for decades. Serving over 26 years on various NCAA Committees, she has dealt with all intricacies of the NCAA committee system. During her time, Tufano advocated for positive changes to the DII nomination system which has led to the nominating committee appointing better qualified individuals, while ensuring geographical diversity and conference rotation. Her work with the honors committee has assisted the NCAA with honoring the best and brightest through the Top 10, Silver Awards and the Roosevelt Award. Tufano had a tremendously positive impact on DII during her 26 year stint at the National Office.
 
About D2 CCA: Initiated in 1992 to promote its member conferences and institutions, D2 CCA has made its mark in providing a united front for NCAA Division II athletics. Created after the break-up of the College Division Commissioners Association, the D2 CCA continues to create lines of communication and opportunities for its member conferences. The D2 CCA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 55^th year. For more information on NACDA and the 17 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.