Nomination Window Open for 2022 C Club Awards

The Colby C Club is currently accepting nominations for the 2022 C Club awards, to be presented during Homecoming Weekend 2022 (Sept. 30–Oct. 2, 2022, specific date to be determined). The C Club is an organization of alumni, parents, and friends that has been supporting Colby Athletics for more than 100 years. The group’s mission is to provide opportunities to show support for Colby and its athletics programs. Annually, the C Club recognizes alumni and friends with two prestigious awards, the C Club Person of the Year and the Carl Nelson Sports Achievement Award.

The nomination form for both awards can be found on the C Club website. Submissions will be accepted through April 29, 2022. 

Past winners of both the C Club Person of the Year and Carl Nelson Sports Achievement Award represent a cross section of Colby athletes, friends, and supporters. These award recipients have distinguished themselves through their dedication and support of Colby and Colby Athletics or in their chosen profession in the sports world.

“It is in this tradition that the executive committee of the C Club embarks on an exhaustive review of candidates to ultimately select awardees who embody the spirit of the respective awards and uphold the ideals, values, and mission of Colby and Colby Athletics,” said C Club Chair Rick Angeli ’88, P’22.

The C Club Person of the Year award is presented to a member (or members) of the Colby family, not necessarily alumni, who have shown dedication and support to Colby Athletics through their continued service to the College. Past winners include Trustee Emeritus Sandy Buck ’78 (2019), Trustee Emerita Anne O’Hanian Szostak ’72 and Michael Szostak ’72 (2020), and Trustee Jack O’Neil ’77 (2018). In 2021, the award was given to Vice President for Administration, Chief Financial Officer, and Professor of Economics Douglas Terp ’84 (2021).

The Carl Nelson Sports Achievement Award was first presented in 1988 to longtime Colby athletic trainer Carl Nelson. It honors a Colby alumna/us who has achieved noteworthy career success in athletics or a related field. Past winners include legendary coaches John Winkin and Jack Kelley P’79 (1992 and 1996), former general manager of USA Hockey Reagan Carey ’01 (2010), and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens Eric DeCosta ’93 (2017). This past fall the award was given to Melinda Williams ’03, Associate Head Women’s Swimming Coach at Connecticut College.

“My athletic experiences at Colby played such a vital role in my personal growth, providing me the opportunity to build confidence, pride, and passion,” Williams said. “Colby continues to place value on how collegiate athletics can shape one’s character, which has been a guiding belief of mine. I am beyond humbled to receive the Carl Nelson Award and look forward to continuing to support Colby Athletics.”

Melinda Williams ’03 earned the Carl Nelson Sports Achievement Award at the 2021 C Club awards ceremony.