Centerville, MA - Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss announced today his selections for the 2013 ECAC Commissioner's Award. University of Maryland Baltimore County's Dr. Charles Brown, Sacred Heart University's C. Donald Cook, Adelphi University's Robert Hartwell, Colby-Sawyer College's Deb Field McGrath, and Suffolk University's Jim Nelson will receive their awards at the 2013 ECAC Honors Dinner sponsored by Jostens, held in conjunction with the 25th Annual ECAC Convention and Trade Show that will be held September 29 - October 1 at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in North Falmouth, Mass. The Honors Dinner is on Sunday, September 29 at 6:30pm. To register and attend the ECAC Honors Dinner, please visit ecac.org/convention. 
 
"It is my distinct pleasure to name Dr. Charles Brown, C. Donald Cook, Deb Field McGrath, Robert Hartwell and Jim Nelson recipients of the 2013 ECAC Commissioner's Award," said Commissioner McGinniss. "With all of the wonderful contributions these outstanding administrators have made to intercollegiate athletics, and in particular the ECAC, throughout their esteemed careers it is only just that they be recognized during our 75^th Anniversary Celebration."  
 
For nearly 26 years, Robert Hartwell oversaw the athletic department at Adelphi University. During his tenure as Athletic Director, the Panthers qualified for 104 NCAA Tournaments, won 10 National Championships and 10 NCAA Regional Championships. Hartwell was an ardent supporter of women's athletics throughout his career and added four women's programs while at Adelphi, including the field hockey program in 2008, after a 25 year hiatus. Prior to his time at Adelphi, Hartwell was a member of the Babson College Athletic Department. In 1975, he led the Men's Soccer team to a National Championship and in 1978, he took over as Athletic Director, a position he held for eight years. While in that position, Babson added varsity sports in field hockey, women's soccer, women's swimming and diving and women's volleyball. 
 
Hartwell played a central role in upgrading every athletic facility on campus. Under his supervision, the University upgraded the William J. Bonomo Memorial Baseball Field, Woodruff Hall, designed and constructed the Center for Recreation and Sports, Motamed Soccer Field, tennis courts and the Janet L. Ficke Softball Field. One of Hartwell's greatest accomplishments has been the "Cans for Cancer" program at Adelphi. Over the past 10 years, the athletic department has raised over $50,000 for the Winthrop University Medical Center's Cancer Center for Kids through the collection of redeemable cans on campus by student-athletes. He also revived Adelphi's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991, welcoming in its first class of inductees in a decade. In 1997, he was named Associate Dean/Athletic Director and in 2009 he was elevated to Assistant Vice President at Adelphi.

Robert Hartwell has been recognized on a local, regional and national level for his contributions to intercollegiate
athletics. He was an inaugural member of the Babson College Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Babson College soccer field was dedicated as Hartwell Field in 2002. Also in 2002, Hartwell was named the Northeast Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Athletic Directors. In 2008 he was a recipient of the NCAA Diversity Honor and twice received the NCAA Outstanding Contribution Award.
 
The ECAC Commissioner's Award was presented for the first time at the 2008 ECAC Convention and Trade Show.  It is presented for meritorious service to the ECAC or an ECAC member institution.  The recipient must have demonstrated significant accomplishment in his or her chosen professional field or on the athletic field.

For a complete list of award winners, click here.
 
~Release courtesy of ECAC Athletic Communications