Past LSC Awards & Recognition

Volunteer of the Year - Nancy Simpson

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any good event and Nancy Simpson is a shining example. Nancy has been an instrumental partner in Lansing becoming a mecca for youth skating championship events. Nancy gives selflessly of her time, dedicating hundreds of hours to supporting the Lansing Skating Club youth and coordinating events. In 2016 she served as co-chair for the Eastern Great Lakes Figure Skating Championships. This event saw 600 skaters take the ice at Suburban Ice East Lansing. This week-long event was no easy task, but Nancy handled it like a seasoned pro…with a 6 month planning process, followed by grueling long, busy days during the event. A “volunteer” commitment basically turned in to a full-time job. With no complaints, Nancy tackled every task with passion, pleasantness and a fervor that she has become well known for. Our community would not experience the wonderful events we do without many dedicated volunteers like Nancy.

Sport Partner of the Year - National United Wrestling Association for Youth

The National United Wrestling Association for Youth or NUWAY, is being recognized as the GLSA’s Sport Partner of the Year. NUWAY had an incredible impact on the community in 2016. In July NUWAY hosted over 2,000 wrestlers, from 22 states at the Lansing Center. This event, called the Grand River Rumble, was the first wrestling event ever held at the Lansing Center, with wrestling mats covering all three exhibit halls. The success of this event led the group to program an additional event at the Lansing Center in December. The Spartan Country Open and Christmas Duals brought 500 wrestlers to the community during a traditionally slow period. While 2016 has been an incredible year for NUWAY in Lansing, the future is even brighter with additional events being planned.

2016 Greater Lansing Sports Authority Community Champions

Kathie Dunbar - Hawk Island Triathlon

Kathie Dunbar is the originator and lead organizer of the Hawk-I-Triathlon. In 2016 the event celebrated its 10th anniversary. This unique sprint triathlon was the first of its kind in Michigan and was the first race of any kind in Michigan to be certified “Green”. Over the past 10 years, the event has seen more than 5,500 athletes participate. Athletes have traveled from across the country and internationally to compete. Kathie, through her efforts, has generated incredible exposure and awareness for the community and generated significant economic impact in the region.

Lansing Derby Vixens

Lansing is home to a diverse array of sporting events. But were you aware that Lansing was the center of the roller derby world in August of 2016? That’s when the Lansing Derby Vixens served as host for the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association D2 International Playoffs. This event brought 10 teams and hundreds of athletes from across the globe to the Summit Sports and Ice Complex. Teams from as far away as Norway spent as much as a week in the region. These teams not only left with an affinity for the Lansing region, but also left behind significant dollars that impacted our local economy.