NASPSPA - North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity

North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.

Distinguished Scholar Award

Purpose
To recognize outstanding long-term contributions in the research areas represented within NASPSPA.
Eligibility
Senior scholars, normally at least 25 years beyond the doctorate, who have a distinguished record of scholarship.
Nature of the Award
Recipients of the award will be given $1,000 cash, a one-time NASPSPA Conference registration fee waiver when the award is presented, a commemorative plaque and Emeritus recognition (with a waiver of NASPSPA dues) upon retirement. The Executive Committee may extend an invitation to one or more Distinguished Scholars (active or retired) to be Invited Participants (with waiver of Conference fees) at its annual Conferences. The award will not necessarily be awarded on an annual basis.
Method of Selection
  1. The selection of an appropriate individual will be the responsibility of the Distinguished Scholar Award Committee (hereafter, the Selection Committee) of NASPSPA.
  2. The Selection Committee will consist of the President, who will serve as chairperson, plus one representative from each of the areas of Developmental Perspectives, Motor Learning/Control, and Sport and Exercise Psychology. The NASPSPA Executive Committee must approve these representatives, who should be senior, active members of NASPSPA. The term of membership will be two years. The names of the Selection Committee members will be known only to the Executive Committee.
  3. An announcement requesting nominations will be made in the Fall Newsletter. Nominations will be made to the President by the date specified in that newsletter. Any current NASPSPA member may nominate appropriate candidates. The nomination should include a two or three page justification of why the nomination is being made and a current curriculum vita for the nominee. The Selection Committee is charged with reviewing NASPSPA members for eligibility and nomination of candidate(s). The Past-Presidents’ Liaison will be responsible to send a reminder to the membership concerning this award two weeks prior to the deadline.
  4. In all cases, the nomination(s) should be kept in strictest confidence.
  5. The Selection Committee, using the nominator’s justification for the nomination, plus any other information that is appropriate (and without informing the nominee of his/her nomination) will make a decision at least three months prior to the start of the annual conference. A simple majority vote is necessary for a recipient to be named. If a favorable vote ensues, the President will notify the nominee.
Criteria for Selection
A successful candidate must exhibit a level of scholarship that places him/her at or near the top of scholars actively working in his/her research area. Regardless of research area, there should be evidence that the individual has consistently contributed high quality scholarship to his/her area and that this scholarship has had an impact on the knowledge of the field.
Additional Guidelines
  1. Anyone submitting a nomination or writing a letter of support for a candidate is disqualified from serving on the Selection Committee.
  2. No member of the Selection Committee may be from the same institution as a nominee, have been the doctoral advisor or advisee of a nominee, or have any other close association that could be interpreted to constitute a conflict of interest.
  3. If either of the above two restrictions applies to the President (who serves as chair of the Selection Committee), he or she will refuse to exercise the right to vote in the selection.
  4. Other letters of recommendation may be solicited as necessary by the President or the Selection Committee.