Jim Nasiopulos wins the M Club Hy Popuch Award
1/15/2020 9:38:00 AM | General, M Club
Nasiopulos spent 31 years at Marquette in a number of roles, from rec sports to the head men's golf coach
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette University M Club has announced former associate athletic director Jim Nasiopulos as the winner of the Hy Popuch Award, given to the student-athlete alumni organization's person of the year.
He will be honored during the men's basketball game against St. John's on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Fiserv Forum and will also be recognized during the University's Alumni Award Weekend, April 23-25, 2020.
"When I think of the folks that elevated the student-athlete experience, 'Nas' is top of mind," said M Club President Joe Kohut. "Not only did he take facilities to an elite level, he continuously went above and beyond. Whether that was stepping in to serve as an interim golf coach, drive equipment thousands of miles for tournaments, or just be there to support those competing, Jim had a lasting impact on all student-athletes."
Nasiopulos spent 31 years at Marquette, concluding in July 2013 as the associate athletic director – facilities and event management. He began his career at MU in July 1982 as the director of physical recreation/Helfaer Tennis Stadium and Recreation Center and served as head men's golf coach from July 1986 to June 1993. He transitioned into his role in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics as the primary administrator for facilities and event management in August 1993.
Nasiopulos was involved with athletic and recreational sports facility construction, renovation and management. Two of the largest facility projects he led were the planning and construction of Valley Fields and the Al McGuire Center.
His event management duties included scheduling, set-up and direct supervision of all home athletic contests as well as the planning and hosting of all post-season conference and NCAA Championship events.
"I am honored and humbled to receive the award and was completely surprised when (vice president and director of athletics) Bill Scholl notified me," Nasiopulos said. "Such an award is really an honor that is made possible because a team of people, over many years of service, did their very best … Magis and Cura Personalis in action. Upon reflection it is rewarding to know that the Marquette M Club recognized the 'behind the scenes' accomplishments of our team through me."
ABOUT THE HY POPUCH AWARD:
In 1954, the Marquette University M Club decided to present an award annually to someone who has demonstrated loyal and dedicated service to Marquette athletics over a long period of time. The honor was originally named The Man of the Year Award and was renamed following the inclusion of women to the Marquette University Athletics Program in the 1970s.
The award is named for Hy Popuch, a former M Club president and recipient of the M Club Man of the Year Award in 1974. The award name changed from "Man of the Year" to the "Hy Popuch Award" to honor Popuch, who died at the age of 73 on March 16, 1984 of a stroke. The First recipient of the Hy Popuch Award was former Marquette University Athletics Director, Hank Raymonds, who received the award in 1987.
He graduated from Marquette in 1943 after having earned varsity letters in tennis and football. In addition to his activities for Marquette, Popuch was inducted into the Jewish Community Center's Athletic Wall of Fame in 1968 for his many community services. He was also named 'man of the year' by the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association for his sponsorship of youth athletic teams and banquets that he spearheaded over many years.
Popuch also received the Marquette Metropolitan Area Award, the Jerry Lewis Award for work against Muscular Dystrophy and the Certificate of Achievement Award from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department.
He will be honored during the men's basketball game against St. John's on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Fiserv Forum and will also be recognized during the University's Alumni Award Weekend, April 23-25, 2020.
"When I think of the folks that elevated the student-athlete experience, 'Nas' is top of mind," said M Club President Joe Kohut. "Not only did he take facilities to an elite level, he continuously went above and beyond. Whether that was stepping in to serve as an interim golf coach, drive equipment thousands of miles for tournaments, or just be there to support those competing, Jim had a lasting impact on all student-athletes."
Nasiopulos spent 31 years at Marquette, concluding in July 2013 as the associate athletic director – facilities and event management. He began his career at MU in July 1982 as the director of physical recreation/Helfaer Tennis Stadium and Recreation Center and served as head men's golf coach from July 1986 to June 1993. He transitioned into his role in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics as the primary administrator for facilities and event management in August 1993.
Nasiopulos was involved with athletic and recreational sports facility construction, renovation and management. Two of the largest facility projects he led were the planning and construction of Valley Fields and the Al McGuire Center.
His event management duties included scheduling, set-up and direct supervision of all home athletic contests as well as the planning and hosting of all post-season conference and NCAA Championship events.
"I am honored and humbled to receive the award and was completely surprised when (vice president and director of athletics) Bill Scholl notified me," Nasiopulos said. "Such an award is really an honor that is made possible because a team of people, over many years of service, did their very best … Magis and Cura Personalis in action. Upon reflection it is rewarding to know that the Marquette M Club recognized the 'behind the scenes' accomplishments of our team through me."
ABOUT THE HY POPUCH AWARD:
In 1954, the Marquette University M Club decided to present an award annually to someone who has demonstrated loyal and dedicated service to Marquette athletics over a long period of time. The honor was originally named The Man of the Year Award and was renamed following the inclusion of women to the Marquette University Athletics Program in the 1970s.
The award is named for Hy Popuch, a former M Club president and recipient of the M Club Man of the Year Award in 1974. The award name changed from "Man of the Year" to the "Hy Popuch Award" to honor Popuch, who died at the age of 73 on March 16, 1984 of a stroke. The First recipient of the Hy Popuch Award was former Marquette University Athletics Director, Hank Raymonds, who received the award in 1987.
He graduated from Marquette in 1943 after having earned varsity letters in tennis and football. In addition to his activities for Marquette, Popuch was inducted into the Jewish Community Center's Athletic Wall of Fame in 1968 for his many community services. He was also named 'man of the year' by the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association for his sponsorship of youth athletic teams and banquets that he spearheaded over many years.
Popuch also received the Marquette Metropolitan Area Award, the Jerry Lewis Award for work against Muscular Dystrophy and the Certificate of Achievement Award from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department.
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