John Harper Honored with Commissioners Meritorious Service Award

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) recently honored retired Bridgewater State University director of athletics, John Harper, with its 12th Annual Meritorious Service Award. The award was announced by DIIICA president, Chuck Mitrano, during the Division III Commissioners annual meeting at the NCAA Convention on January 17 in Grapevine, Texas.

The award will be presented to Mr. Harper by newly-elected DIIICA president, Julie Muller, during the Bridgewater State vs. Salem State men’s basketball game on February 12.

“Throughout his career, John Harper has been an outstanding representative of all that is good in intercollegiate athletics, and in particular within Division III,” commented Muller. “It will be an honor to have the opportunity to recognize him publicly on the Bridgewater campus so those who have benefited from his work can share in the celebration.”

Harper retired in July, 2012 after over 40 years in college athletics, the last 21 years at Bridgewater. During Harper’s tenure, BSU student-athletes experienced success both in the arena of play and in the classroom, winning or sharing the prestigious Howard C. Smith Cup, awarded by the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) for maintaining athletics excellence 11 times. Widely respected among his peers, Harper served on numerous NCAA committees, including the Division III Management Council and Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee.

Harper served as Commissioner of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference from 1997-2000 and was named the Division III “Athletic Director of the Year” for 2002-2003 in the Northeast Region by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Additionally, his long-time involvement with Special Olympics Massachusetts earned him the Massachusetts Outstanding Co-Games Director of the Year Award in 1999, the Hanlon Award for Volunteerism in 2003, and along with the rest of the Bridgewater State University Management Team, induction into the Massachusetts Special Olympics Hall of Fame in 2004. He also received the Commonwealth’s Citation for Outstanding Performance in 1999.

The Division III Commissioners Association Meritorious Service Award was established in January of 2001. The award is given annually to an individual who, over time, has made significant and substantial contributions to Division III athletics consistent with the purposes of the Division III Commissioners Association. Eligible candidates include current and former conference and institutional representatives including, but not limited to, conference executives, athletics administrators, faculty athletics representatives, and academic administrators. Nominations are submitted by members of the Division III Commissioners Association.