March 7, 2008
DAVIS, Calif. - Michelle Roppeau, Director of Athletic Academic Advising at UC Davis, has been named winner of the prestigious Judith M. Sweet Commitment Award for the Championship Subdivision by the National Association of Collegiate Women's Athletics Administrators, it has been announced.
Roppeau, who has been at UC Davis since 1996, is one of six winners representing Bowl Subdivision, Championship Subdivision, Division I, Division II, Division III and Conference/Organization affiliations.
The NACWAA Judith M. Sweet Commitment Award was presented to Roppeau for outstanding service, guidance, and inspiration to student-athletes at UC Davis as well as dedication in making a difference above and beyond the call of duty every day.
"(Michelle) goes above and beyond the duties of her job in order to enhance the academic lives of all student-athletes by taking classes to help her work with physically and mentally disabled students, non-English speaking and hearing impaired students," said Pam Gill-Fisher, recently retired as Senior Associate Athletics Director at UC Davis.
Roppeau has been Director of Athletic Academic Advising at UC Davis since 1997, overseeing academic counseling services for more than 800 student-athletes participating in 26 varsity sports. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Carleton College (Minn.) and later received her master's from the University of Minnesota. Roppeau is currently completing her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the UC Davis School of Education.
Roppeau is joined by award winners Lori Hays, Assistant Athletic Director for Operations at Boise State (Bowl Subdivision); Cindy Nagai, Premium Seating Account Exceutive at the University of Denver (Div. I), Ann Martin, Assistant Athletic Director at Regis University (Div. II); Erin Barney, Assistant Director of Athletics at Rutgers University Camden (Div. III); and Staci Schottman, Director of Public Relations & Communication at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (Conference/Organization).
Judith M. Sweet was longtime Director of Athletics at UC San Diego, a former president of NACWAA and in 1991 was the first female president of the NCAA. She later became the first female Senior Vice President and Senior Woman Administrator of the NCAA and has been recognized throughout her amazing career with several awards and honors.
