If not for the opportunity provided by the water polo scholarship that resulted from a tryout, the future Time magazine "Man of the Year" said he wouldn’t even have attended college. Peter Ueberroth’s experience at San Jose State served as a springboard to a career spent at the highest levels of business and sports.

As a former college athletics administrator and now the president of a search firm, Betsy Alden has long worked to support the interests of ethnic minorities and other underrepresented populations. For her outstanding efforts, an NCAA committee is recognizing Alden as its Champion of Diversity and Inclusion for the winter quarter.

Named in recognition of Gerald Ford, the 38th U.S. president and a member of two University of Michigan national-championship football teams, the award honors an individual who has provided significant leadership as an advocate for college sports.

Northern Illinois University’s athletics department has earned the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association’s 2016 Award for Diversity and Inclusion. The department will receive the honor at the NCAA Convention in January in San Antonio.

The Inspiration Award is presented to a coach or administrator currently associated with intercollegiate athletics, or to a current or former varsity letter-winner at an NCAA institution. It is reserved for people who, when confronted with life-altering situations, used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome their trauma.

The NCAA will recognize six former student-athletes with the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for their collegiate and professional achievements. The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers.