Corban's Bryce Bernard has been named the NAIA's Faculty Athletics Rep of the Year!
KANSAS CITY, MO. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Tuesday that Corban University Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) Bryce Bernard has been named the Wally Schwartz FAR of the Year for his outstanding service, honesty, loyalty, and enthusiasm for the NAIA. For Corban, it is the first time in school history that an FAR has received the prestigious award.
The award honors the late Wally Schwartz, former NAIA vice-president of Legislative Services.
"On behalf of the entire Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC), congratulations to Dr. Bryce Bernard on his honor as the 2015 Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year," said CCC Commissioner Rob Cashell. "He has not only served Corban University exceptionally well, but the CCC as our FAR Chair and the NAIA through his outstanding committee work. Dr. Bernard has dedicated his career in service to the countless young men and women in the classroom and on the fields and courts, doing all in his power to ensure a positive student-athlete experience, and we are thrilled he has been recognized by his peers and the NAIA."
While his accomplishments are countless during his 27 years of service since 1988, Bernard has worked with four presidents, five athletic directors, and three registrars at Corban. He currently serves on the NAIA National Eligibility Committee as well as the NAIA Constitution and Bylaws Committee and has done so since 2013. He has also served on the NAIA Fifth Year of Eligibility Task Force since 2014.
Moreover, Bernard has worked on the CCC Eligibility since 1999, and is currently serving as the CCC FAR Reps Chair since 2012. In addition, he has given several best practices presentations over the years at the NAIA National Convention while also serving on the CCC Commissioner Search and Strategic Planning Committees in 2012.
"I am very happy for Bryce and grateful that he is our FAR at Corban," said Corban University Director of Athletics Greg Eide. "Bryce is a huge asset to our athletic staff and our student-athletes, and the tireless hours he puts in on our behalf does not go unnoticed. The national award could not have been awarded to a more qualified and worthy recipient, and we join the NAIA in honoring Bryce with this tremendous honor."
On top of his work as a faculty member at Corban, Bernard also worked in cooperation with the Conference Commissioner and organized and conducted a conference eligibility seminar for all FAR's, Registrars, and Athletic Directors to be repeated every three years for the conference. Finally, he served on the NAIA Evaluation Team for the Multnomah University and Trinity Lutheran College's candidacy, all while assisting several Cascade and Frontier conference schools with the implementation of the ECP software.
"I am honored to be recognized by the NAIA with this special award," said Bernard. "I know there are so many incredible, deserving Faculty Athletic Representatives in the NAIA. Serving as our Faculty Athletic Representative has been a privilege. I am thankful for the incredible student-athletes, faculty, and athletic staff at Corban University that I get to work with every day."
Bernard will officially receive the award at the NAIA Awards Luncheon on April 18, 2016 at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.