NEW YORK – Any Columbia student-athlete who has come through the administrative office doors in the Dodge Fitness Center during the past 14 years inevitably stops at the open door of Jacqueline Blackett, Columbia’s Associate Athletics Director for Enrichment Services.

In between addressing scheduling conflicts, registering students-athletes and handling any other predicament that student-athletes may throw her way, Blackett still finds time to share advice on class selection, discuss future career plans and analyze the latest results in World Cup soccer qualifying. 

Over the years, Blackett has been informally praised and honored by countless Columbia students and alumni for her outstanding abilities as an athletics administrator.  Now it is official.

Blackett was named the Jostens Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision, NACWAA officials announced today.

"Jackie Blackett is extremely deserving of this special honor," said Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education.  "She is truly dedicated to our student-athletes and enriches their Columbia experience with all that she does.  Jackie is an asset to our athletics department and our University, and we are so lucky to have her at Columbia.”

Blackett, who recently completed her 18th year at Columbia, and her 14th as an athletics administrator after four years as head coach of women’s track & field and cross country, serves as the campus liaison for the Lions’ student-athletes, working closely with the Deans, registrars and various administrative offices. Blackett was chair of the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet from 2005-07 and currently serves on the NCAA Soccer Rules Committee.

She is a current member of NACWAA and is a 1997 graduate of the NACWAA/Hers Institute. Blackett was an outstanding athlete at the University of Rochester, where she earned her B.A. in psychology in 1981. While attending Rochester, Blackett was co-captain and three-time MVP of the Yellowjacket track & field squads.

The Administrator of the Year Award, sponsored by Jostens, is bestowed to NACWAA members whom have made significant contributions as administrators of intercollegiate athletics. 

This award, recognizing administrative excellence, is presented annually to a NACWAA member in the following categories: NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision; NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision; NCAA Division I; NCAA Division II; NCAA Division III; NAIA/Junior/Community Colleges; Conferences/Organizations; and Nell Jackson Award. 

The 2009 Administrator of the Year and Honor Awards Banquet will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, from 6:00-7:30 PM at the NACWAA National Convention in Denver (Broomfield), Colo. at the Omni Interlocken Resort and Spa.