NSU Student Athletes Honored at NGWSD Luncheon

DeBoer given Pioneer Award; McKissack selected as Flo Hyman recipient.

The Nova Southeastern University Department of Athletics honored keynote speaker Kathy DeBoer with the 2015 Pioneer Award, and women’s rower Haley McKissack as this year’s Flo Hyman recipient, as part of the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day luncheon held at the NSU Arena.

DeBoer is the current Executive Director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association and is a former collegiate administrator and volleyball coach. She is the 12th Pioneer Award winner here at NSU.

Prior to her AVCA appointment, DeBoer spent three years as the Commissioner of General Services for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. In that capacity she managed a $25 million budget, 375 employees, and oversaw the Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Building Maintenance and Construction, and Fleet Services. DeBoer reorganized General Services resulting in a savings of $700,000 annually. She is also the architect of an $800,000 public/private partnership called the Tubby’s Clubhouse/Dell TechKnow project. The program, funded in part by the Tubby Smith Foundation and Dell, Inc., provides computer equipment and training to underserved populations in Lexington’s Community Centers.

Before her government work, DeBoer spent twenty-three years in intercollegiate athletics serving as a coach, administrator and fundraiser. She spent eighteen years at the University of Kentucky, finishing her career as the Senior Associate Athletics Director. In that capacity DeBoer directed a $30 million capital campaign and raised over $10 million in private gifts to build an academic center, a softball/soccer complex, an outdoor tennis stadium and a football offices complex. She was the creator of the endowment seat program accumulating $3.5 million in endowment money for student-athlete scholarships, and the “eRUPPtion Zone,” a section of Rupp Arena that increased student access and participation at basketball games. DeBoer also oversaw the Blue and White Fund, increasing annual giving from $2 million per year to $5 million per year.

McKissack was chosen among eight nominees across the women’s sports here at NSU for the annual Flo Hyman Award, “presented to a female student-athlete who captures Flo Hyman’s dignity, spirit and commitment to excellence.”

The senior rower has been active in advocating for student-athletes at NSU, and in helping to create opportunities for others outside of NSU. As public relations chair for SAAC, she has worked to promote Sharks athletic events, including bringing in local youth organizations to see our teams in action. As SAAC’s Make-a-Wish fund-raising chair this year, she has already coordinated multiple events to help raise money for young cancer patients. Outside of her NSU roles, she has volunteered her time to several youth sports organizations. She has coached a 14-and-under girls’ basketball team for her local YMCA during the summer of 2013, and since 2013 has been involved weekly as an assistant coach for Victory Living Programs’ Special Olympics program, which provides sporting opportunities to athletes with physical and mental disabilities.

Other nominees for the Flo Hyman Award were Kathleen Bowman (swimming and diving), Krista Colburn (softball), Candice Johnson (volleyball), Kelsey McCusker (soccer), Jessica Nyiro (track and field), Brianna Reeves (cross country) and Danielle Robinson (basketball).

For a list of past Pioneer and Flo Hyman award winners, click HERE.