FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University Department of Athletics welcomed the Commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Jacqie McWilliams, as the guest speaker at the 16th annual Girls and Women in Sports Day Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon in the Arena at the Don Taft University Center.
 
NSU basketball player, Alexis Murphy was presented with the Flo Hyman award, which is awarded to a female student-athlete who captures former volleyball great Flo Hyman's dignity, spirit and commitment to excellence. It honors the athlete who recognizes the far-reaching benefits of sports and who is determined to share these values with others. Major consideration is given to athletes who give generously of their time and energy so that there are greater sports opportunities for all girls and women. Nominations are submitted by the coaches and voted on by the athletic administration team.
 
During the luncheon, McWilliams addressed approximately 250 NSU female student-athletes, faculty and staff on the importance of recognizing that "you matter" and the importance of making those around you feel the same way. She also stressed the significance of clearly setting goals and learning the specific skills and tasks needed to achieve those goals. Her final note to the women in the audience was to recognize and use their P.O.W.E.R. In this case, she refers to P.O.W.E.R. as Positivity, Owning It, Women, Excellence and Recognizing your power. NSU Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, Kelley Kish, awarded McWilliams with the Pioneer Award for her accomplishments and dedication to women's sports.
 
Since January 2012, McWilliams has held the position as the first appointed woman commissioner of the CIAA. She works closely with the Board of Directors and staff and provides leadership in strategic planning, day-to-day management and financial stability for the CIAA in an effort to create a culture that supports the advancement of student-athletes and its 12 member institutions. The CIAA is in the midst of celebrating 100 years of existence and is comprised of predominantly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
 
For nine and a half years, McWilliams worked in Championships at the NCAA.  Prior to the NCAA, she was a member of the 1988 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship team, 1987 and 1990 CIAA volleyball championship team at Hampton University, a coach, senior woman administrator and compliance coordinator at Virginia Union University, and the Director of Compliance and Championships at the CIAA.  While at the NCAA she was promoted from an assistant director to an associate in her first two years and then became the Director of the Division I Women's Basketball Tournament in 2006.  In 2008, she joined the Division I Men's Basketball staff to manage one of the largest championship events in the country.   She had oversight of external operations of the tournament, to include lodging, collaboration with corporate partner and champions, community initiatives, and the Minority and Women's Enterprise Access Program.
 
McWilliams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hampton University in 1991, a Master of Arts in Sports Management and Administration from Temple University in 1993, and is currently working on a PhD in Philosophy of Education and Leadership Management from Hampton University.  She has been a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women in Athletic Administration (NACWAA) and the Black Women in Sport Foundation (BWSF). Her honors consist of many, to include, the retirement of her volleyball jersey at Hampton University, she was a member of the 1988 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball team, she was inducted into the first class of the Sierra High School Hall of Fame, she is a member of Temple University's Gallery of Success and a recipient of the NACWAA Nell Jackson Award. McWilliams served on the Kid's Voice Indiana Board, she volunteers for Girls' Inc., and she is a motivational speaker. She will serve as an Honorary Chair for the 2012 National Black MBA Convention held in Indianapolis September 26-29, 2012. McWilliams is a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado and mother of daughter, Samone. She is a member of Light of the World Christian Church.
 
For a list of all past Pioneer and Flo Hyman Award winners, please click HERE. Please see below for the 2016 nominees.
 
2016 Flo Hyman Award Nominees
Quannisha Allen- Cross Country
A senior on the women's cross country team, Quannisha is a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. She is also the SAAC team representative, volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Broward County Special Olympics. Additionally, she is a member of Green House Nova Micro Church and helps feed less fortunate people with her church.
 
Klaudia Boczova- Tennis
A junior on the women's tennis team, Klaudia is highly involved in the Broward International Women's Club, giving back to community in a variety of ways. She recently spent the fall semester assisting local people prepare tax returns and finances. 
 
Lindsay Craig- Swimming
A sophomore on the women's swim team, she has held the position of president of Finatics, the student driven fan club of the Sharks. She is also the Head of Application Review for the Razor's Edge Leadership Council and serves on the Marketing Board for Sitwell. She has also volunteered at the Disability Expo, Feeding South Florida, Out of Darkness Walk, Cesar Chavez Day of Service, and Hope Floats.
 
Elizabeth Haumschild- Soccer
Recently graduated this past December, Elizabeth gives back to community through youth soccer camps. She has volunteered with Broward County Special Olympics and also assisted at Shark Shuffle 5k. Additionally, she has coached recreational youth teams and currently assists in the Davie United Soccer Club
 
Ashlyn Hill- Volleyball
A sophomore team captain on the volleyball team, Ashlyn has volunteered with Broward County Special Olympics, Victory Living, Broward Country Food Pantry, Disabilities Expo, and Davie Elementary. She is a Florida Suns volleyball coach, has done work with Dallas Premier volleyball camps and is co-founder of the Think Twice Project. She was also a Plano Sports Authority counselor and has served as the NSU volleyball APPLE representative. Additionally, she has volunteered with the Walk for Carson 2015, as well as, beach cleanup initiatives.
 
Alexis Murphy- Basketball
A senior team captain on the women's basketball team, Alexis has founded two companies- Hoop Through Life, which conducts youth camps across the county and Hoop for Haiti, a non-profit company that raises money to help fund a Haitian orphanage, while providing education, food, and water. This summer she and 15 others will launch a first-ever basketball camp in Haiti and introduce the sport to local orphans.
 
Carlie Morley- Rowing 
A sophomore on the women's rowing team, Carlie is an active member of SAAC, serving as the Secretary. She has been involved in Make-A-Wish initiatives, volunteers with Americorps in her hometown of Oswego, NY, and has worked with the County Youth Bureau and USTA Summer Tennis Program last summer.   
 
Michelle Ruiz- Golf
A sophomore on the women's golf team, Michelle is the SAAC team representative. She has volunteered with Feeding South Florida, helped coordinate participation in the Sallarulo's 5K Race of Champions, has volunteered at the Canadian PGA Tour Championship and has given back during youth summer camps at Glenn Abbey Golf Club in Ontario.
 
Monica Sapp- Track & Field
A senior on the women's track & field team, Monica is the Social Chair for SAAC. She has been involved in Make-A-Wish initiatives, is a member of Zeta Phi Beta, and also serves as the Unified Greek Council President. Additionally, she is a library lab monitor, and has done volunteer work with Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, as well as, Feeding South Florida.
 
The Flo Hyman Award
The Flo Hyman Award honors an individual who recognizes the far-reaching benefits of sports and who is determined to share these values with others. Major consideration is given to athletes who give generously of their time and energy so that there are greater sports opportunities for girls and women. The focus of this award is on community service and work done beyond the playing field. This can include youth camps, fundraising events, or anything community related that has impacted others. Nominations were submitted by each team's coach and voted on by the Athletics Administrative team.
 
National Girls & Women in Sports Day
This is a commemorative day, which began in 1987 as a day to honor Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman, a world-class athlete who helped the United States women's volleyball team to a silver medal at the 1984 games. Hyman used her notoriety to set an example of community involvement while significantly enhancing the opportunities for girls and women in sport. Following Hyman's sudden passing while playing volleyball in Japan in 1986, National Girls & Women in Sports Day continues to evolve into a celebration of the past and recognition of current achievements for girls and women in sports. With that in mind, women and organizations across the nation celebrate and honor this day.