Early in April, Lenoir County native Lind Hartsell received the highest honor bestowed for leadership among those who give their time and to energy to community college and junior college athletics.

Hartsell received the George E. Killian Award of Excellence, which has been awarded annually by the National Junior College Athletic Association since 2006. This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the ideals of volunteerism, achievement, service, leadership and excellence — the same virtues exemplified by the award’s namesake.

The organization bestowed the honor on Hartsell at its annual meeting in Richmond, Va. For the past four years at the NJCAA annual meetings, individuals from around the country have been recognized for their dedication, commitment, and leadership to two-year college athletics. 

The award is named in honor of George E. Killian, one of the most influential leaders in the history of the association. He served as the ninth NJCAA President from 1967-69. In 1969, the organization’s board of directors named Killian as its first executive director. Killian led the organization to many triumphs, including the establishment of the NJCAA’s women’s division.

Only active region directors, assistant region directors, Coaches Association presidents, presidential representatives and officers with a minimum of two years of national service to the NJCAA are eligible for consideration.

Hartsell has given his services to student-athletes and to the NJCAA for the past 22 years. From 1995-2005, he was Lenoir Community College’s baseball coach. He then served as the Lancers’ athletic director from 2005-10. In 2010, he left his position at LCC to work at Craven Community College.

During these 22 years, Hartsell made a national impact on the NJCAA through his commitment and service to the association. Hartsell has functioned in a leadership role for Region 10 for the last 12 years.

In addition to serving as the commissioner of Region 10, Hartsell serves on the NJCAA Board of Regents and is the current chair of the Division II baseball committee. Region 10 covers South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

The NJCAA was founded in 1938 and serves as the governing association for community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the U.S. Currently, the NJCAA is organized into 24 separate regions across 24 states. Those regions are divided into three divisions.

The idea for the NJCAA developed in 1937 in California when a handful of junior college representatives met to organize an association to promote and supervise a national program of junior college sports and activities consistent with the educational objectives of junior colleges.

When Killian became the organization’s executive director in 1969, the NJCAA allowed only male competitors. Under Killian’s leadership, the women’s division was established in 1975.

The NJCAA moved its headquarters to Charlotte in February 2018. Following this move, the association adopted a new governance structure, the 37-member NJCAA Board of Regents. The association also inaugurated its first Future Leaders Internship program.

Hartsell sets the bar for service in touching the lives of students through athletic programs. I have known him for a number of years. He is a man of integrity who strives for excellence. Students under his direction are fortunate indeed.

Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.