TAMPA, Florida (April 6, 2015) -- Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) President Sue Semrau presented Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Commissioner Rich Ensor with The President's Award during the Fifth Annual WBCA Awards Show on Tuesday night in Tampa. This distinguished award is presented to an individual selected by the WBCA president who has given a tireless commitment to the development of women's basketball.
“It is my pleasure to present Rich Ensor with The President’s Award,” said Semrau. “He has and continues to be a strong proponent of the WBCA and women’s basketball in general.
“His vast wisdom, experience and advice has helped the WBCA leadership navigate our share of political minefields over the last couple of years. For that we are deeply grateful.”
Ensor, who represents the Collegiate Commissioner’s Association (CCA) on the WBCA Board of Directors and has long been a strong advocate for the WBCA and women’s basketball, took over as the third Commissioner of the MAAC in August of 1988. Over the last 26 years at the MAAC Ensor has secured a stable membership base, expanded the number of championships conducted and developed an extensive marketing program.
The MAAC has also been very aggressive under Ensor’s tenure in seeking out opportunities to host NCAA Championships in various sports. In 2006 the MAAC co-hosted for the first time the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds in Trenton, NJ. The 2009 NCAA Women’s Basketball East Regional was also hosted by the MAAC in Trenton. During the 2012-13 season the MAAC co-hosted the NCAA Women’s Basketball Bridgeport Regional and most recently co-hosted the 2015 NCAA Women’s Basketball Albany Regional.
Prior to serving as the Commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Ensor served as Assistant Professor in the Sport Management Department at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has also held the position of attorney, Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing and Promotions at Seton Hall, Assistant Athletic Director at St. Louis University, as well as Sports Information Director and Assistant Director of the Recreation Life Center at Saint Peter’s College.
Ensor has been involved with numerous committees including the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, NCAA Division I Management Council, NCAA Administration Cabinet and NCAA IAA Governance Committee to name a few.
In 1975 Ensor graduated from Saint Peter’s University and eventually went on to earn a Master’s degree in sports management with honors from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ensor then attended Seton Hall University’s School of Law and graduated in 1987 and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in June of that year.
The Fifth Annual WBCA Awards Show was held at the Tampa Marriott Waterside in Tampa. The event is part the WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four®.
Past recipients of The President’s Award, which is not presented annually, are Carol Callan (USA Basketball), Sue Donohoe (former NCAA VP for DI Women’s Basketball), Tom Jernstedt (former NCAA Exec. VP), Myles Brand (NCAA), Jack North (State Farm), Senator Birch Bayh, Hunter Low (Eastman Kodak Company), Val Ackerman (WNBA), Robin Roberts (ABC News), John LaBadd (Sears), Carol Stiff (ESPN) and Betty Jaynes (WBCA).