NSCA Awards
- No awards given to BOD members while in office
- No awards given to NSCA employees (i.e. professional awards)
- No awards given to any member of the committee conferring the award
- All awards require NSCA membership during the immediate prior year
- All awards limited to one winner per year (exceptions with BOD approval)
- No member should receive the same award twice except with BOD approval or within a 3-year period
- All award criteria sheets should be re-evaluated annually by the national office from committee and SIG recommendations, and will be adopted and/or amended by the Board of Directors
All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year
The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year program recognizes collegiate athletes whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of the strength coach*, reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments as well as their integrity as student athletes.
NSCA member coaches at the collegiate level may nominate one male and/or one female candidate. All athletes submitted will be recognized. All athletes and coaches will receive the NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning of the Year recognition booklet and personalized certificates.
* A team coach who is a member of NSCA, may make a nomination in the event that a team does not have a regularly assigned strength coach.
Completed nomination forms must be received by December 15. Nominate Online Now.
To view the current NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year booklet, click here.
Alvin Roy Award
This posthumous award recognizes an individual whose career achievements have made a major historical impact on the scientific understanding, methodologies, practices, and general awareness of resistance training as a component of sports conditioning. The award recipient is selected by the Board of Directors.
Corporate Award
The Corporate Award is given in recognition of those companies who have made a financial donation (sponsorship) to the NSCA within the 1 July – 30 June time frame. There are four levels of awards: Bronze ($1,000 – $5,000), Silver ($5,001 – $10,000), Gold ($10,001 – $25,000), and Platinum $25,000+).
Educator of the Year Award
The Educator of the Year Award is given to an educator who has made noteworthy contributions to the teaching and clinical application in the field of strength training and conditioning. The general membership sends in the nominations and a sub-committee of the Education Committee chooses the winner. More details >>
Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given in recognition of a long line of achievements in the profession and a history of dedication to the association. The award recipient is selected by the Board of Directors.
Outgoing President
This award is given to the outgoing president in recognition of his or her service to the association.
William J. Kraemer Outstanding Sport Scientist
This award is given to a scientist who has made noteworthy contributions to the field of applied exercise and sport science. This individual should be a recognized contributor to the general field of exercise and sport science within as well as outside the NSCA. The general membership is asked to send in nominees and a sub-committee of the Research committee chooses the winner. More details >>
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR) Editorial
This award is given to the editorial members on the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Board in recognition of their service to the association. This award is presented by the Research Committee in conjunction with the JSCR Editor.
Personal Trainer of the Year
This award is given to an individual in recognition of excellence in service to the personal training industry and the NSCA. This is a peer award. The general membership sends in the nominations but only active member of the NSCA Personal Trainers Special Interest Group are eligible to vote to determine the winner. More details >>
President’s Award
This award is given to an individual in recognition of contributions made during the past year. The award recipient is selected by the NSCA President.
Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation Specialist
This award is given to a member in recognition of contributions to the field of Sports Medicine or Rehabilitation. The general membership sends in the nominations and the winner is selected by an awards ad-hoc committee. More details >>
Retiring Board of Directors
This award is given to board members as they leave office in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the NSCA.
Strength and Conditioning Journal (SCJ) Editorial
This award is given to the members of the Strength and Conditioning Journal editorial board in recognition of their service to the association. The award is presented by the SCJ editor.
Special Recognition/Appreciation
This award is given to members of the NSCA in recognition of significant contributions to the organization within the past year that do not fit into any other award criteria. This award is given at the discretion of the National Office, Executive Director, and Deputy Executive Director.
State/Provincial Director of the Year
This award is given to state/provincial directors who have accumulated the most points during the year from April 1 to March 31, using the Evaluation Criteria format. The National Office calculates the points and gives the award.
College S&C Professional of the Year
This award is given to a college or university Strength and Conditioning Coach in recognition of his or her efforts on behalf of college coaches and dedication to the strength and conditioning profession. Nominees must be CSCS, current members of the NSCA, and a strength and conditioning coach at their college/university. This is a peer award. Only NSCA College Strength and Conditioning Professionals (CSCP) who are members of the NSCA CSCP Special Interest Group are eligible to vote on the College Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year Award.
High School S&C Professional of the Year
This award is given to a High School Strength and Conditioning Coach in recognition of his or her efforts on behalf of High School Coaches and dedication to the strength and conditioning profession. The general membership sends in the nominations and votes for the winner. Nominees must be CSCS, and current members of the NSCA to be considered.
Student Research
This award is given to a student who has presented an abstract at the NSCA Annual National Conference. The winner is chosen at the conference.
Young Investigator
This award is is given to a researcher who has been in the field seven years or less, in recognition of noteworthy contributions to the field of applied exercise and sport science. The nominees are submitted by the general membership and voted on by the Research Sub Committee. More details >>
Research Achievement
This award is given to NSCA members who work in research in nutrition. The Research Committee/or the Research Consortium will nominate candidates, with final selection by the Research Awards Ad-hoc committee.