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Niagara University's student chapter of the Club Managers Association of America.
Niagara University's student chapter of the Club Managers Association of America.

Club Managers Association of America presents NU student chapter with two prestigious awards

by jmaloni
Wed, Mar 23rd 2011 11:00 am

For the second straight year, the Club Managers Association of America's Student Chapter of the Year resides on Monteagle Ridge. Niagara University's student chapter of the CMAA topped more than 50 other colleges and universities from throughout the country to receive the prestigious annual award at the association's National Conference in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 25. Niagara's chapter also was presented with the Club of the Future Award during the event.

Niagara's student chapter was specifically commended for its excellence in programming, placements, internships, education and networking, in accordance with the CMAA's mission of fulfilling the educational and related needs of its members.

"Niagara University's student chapter is perceived as a role model of excellence for other student chapters throughout the country to emulate," stated Joe Perdue, CCM, CHE, chief evaluator of the Student Chapter of the Year competition.

The Student Chapter of the Year Award is a CMAA-sponsored recognition program for outstanding work and successful accomplishments in the association's student sector. To participate, chapters must summarize and document their involvement in activities and events throughout the academic year in a president's résumé. The winner of the Student Chapter of the Year competition is awarded a $1,000 World Conference registration grant, courtesy of The Club Foundation, and is also recognized at the Student Achievement Breakfast and the Managers' Awards Luncheon, both held at the World Conference.

"I am pleased that the Club Managers Association of America acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the Niagara University students and the chapter's ongoing dedication to the core values of CMAA: education, networking and professional development," noted Dr. William Frye, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management at Niagara, and the chapter's advisor. "Receiving this award for the second consecutive year revalidates Niagara University's unique program that requires 100 percent commitment on the part of every student member, with no exceptions. Our students are held to the very same expectations and standards today in their professional development and interactions with CMAA and private clubs, as they would be after graduation from Niagara University when employed as a club manager. This is just one, but a key reason, why our club management students are highly recruited for internships and placements. Being recognized again as the best student chapter in the nation motivates us to achieve higher standards of excellence within the honorable profession of club management, while letting others know that while Niagara University is a small school in terms of enrollment, it is a giant in terms of its accomplishments in the past five years."

The Niagara contingent was also honored for submitting the best entry in the sports management category of the Club of the Future Award Program. "Workout Revolution," conceived by Kristin Marr, Marc Skill, Christy Klebowski, Lindsey Dziennik and Crystal Thacker, proposes a futuristic customized workout plan for each club member that incorporates body scan technology, cardio equipment, computer software, and proper nutrition and diet advice. As a result of their group's victory, Marr, Skill and Klebowski had the opportunity to present their idea to more than 300 club managers during the CMAA's 84th annual World Conference on Club Management in Orlando on Feb. 26.

Instituted last year, the Club of the Future Award Program gives student members the opportunity to look into the future (five, 10, 15 years and beyond) and predict what will be the innovative and viable practices that clubs will seek to offer or adopt to remain competitive and meet the changing expectations of their membership. As club trends are ever-changing and club members' needs are evolving, managers are charged to stay a step ahead.

The Club Managers Association of America is the professional association for managers of membership clubs. With close to 7,000 members across all classifications, CMAA members operate more than 3,000 country, golf, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs. The objectives of the CMAA are to promote and advance friendly relations among persons connected with the management of clubs and other associations of similar character; to encourage the education and advancement of its members; and to assist club officers and members, through their managers, to secure the utmost in efficient and successful operations.

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