Ina Kristiansen Academic and Leadership Award in Rec Sports
Ina was to USCB Recreational Sports and the Santa Barbara’s Women’s Soccer Organization (SBWSO), what soccer is to turf, inseparable. Engaging, charming and ever encouraging, Ina Kristiansen epitomized the heart and soul of these two organizations as a student, athlete, and beloved staff member. When leukemia ultimately stopped her heart over a decade ago, the glow of her spirit refused to be dimmed and her mountain of memories refused to fade.
In memory of Ina, the SBWSO has sponsored the annual Kristiansen Klassic Soccer Tournament to raise funds for UCSB’s Student Medical Emergency Relief Fund (SMERF). In 2006, Rec Sports passed the SMERF initiative whereby the entire student body now contributes 89 cents per student per quarter, thus generating over $50,000 per year.
Since the acceptance of the SMERF initiative, the SBWSO redirected their financial commitment to create an endowment to fund the Ina Kristiansen Academic and Leadership Award in Recreational Sports. 2007 was the inaugural year with the award going to Lisa Marie Wise.
Criteria for the Award:
- Academically successful. (with at least a 2.0 GPA and making normal progress toward a degree)
- Receiving less than a full scholarship from another source.
- A student who will be attending UCSB next year in good standing.
- Employee or volunteer in any Recreational Sports program; Sport Clubs, Intramural Sports, Adventure Programs.
- Provides leadership, is of good character, and contributes positively to the overall mission of recreational sports.
- Involved in community/campus service and/or special projects.
- Utilizes his/her position to teach others life skills learned through sports; competitive achievement, teamwork, leadership, communication, integrity, and social responsibility.
- Currently, the award is a $500 scholarship.
Chad Briner Quaterly Employee Award
Thank you for taking an interest in the Chad Briner Quarterly Employee of the Year Award for Recreational (REC) Sports. As you know, there are so many wonderful people who work diligently to make REC Sports very special. Their work in planning and participating in the many sporting events allow for a healthy outlet from the every day stress of academic work, financial burdens, and being away from family and friends.
My late son, Chad Briner, transferred to UCSB his third year after a shoulder injury he sustained while playing baseball and attending Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. A partial scholarship and his love for baseball drew him to Newman University. He was also attracted to the slower pace of life that Wichita offered.
After the shoulder injury sidelined him permanently, Chad decided to pursue admittance to UCSB as a transfer student. He was thrilled to be admitted and joined several of his friends who were already attending. Chad's love for sports never slowed, as he quickly became involved in REC Sports. He worked closely with Joel Katz and Matt Berson in doing what they could to improve operations, spread the word about the value of Rec Sports, and personally participate in as many sporting events as they could.
Chad was thrilled to have been selected to work with other team members on a vision to create a web site for REC Sports called Gauchosplay.com. Chad joined Matt Berson, Joel Katz and others to build this creative web site. They worked closely under the leadership of Paul Lee, along with UCSB alumnus Tom Widroe and Art Fisher. Chad's vision of the web site was to model it after the one representing ESPN.
While the bulk of the work at been completed on building the web site, Chad passed away just before its approval and implementation. Because of the hard work, tenacity, support and leadership of Paul Lee, the Gauchosplay.com web site was not only launched, but it has been significantly improved over recent years and is now a huge success.
Immediately after Chad's passing, I was fortunate enough to meet and get to know Paul Lee. He has grown to be a special friend whom I respect and admire a great deal. I have also been blessed to meet dozens of hard working and friendly REC Sports staff members, volunteers, and athletes. I saw them work on many projects that required teamwork, tenacity, attention to detail, and positive attitudes.
I decided that creating a memorial employee award for REC Sports would be an excellent way to pay tribute and recognize the many talented people associated with the program. The award was also an avenue in which my son could be remembered. Chad would have loved to see the the recipients honored, as he knew the value of recognizing talented and committed people.
The Chad Briner Quarterly Employee Award was rolled about three years ago when REC Sports dedicated a Turkey Trot (5K/10K event) under Chad's name. I was fortunate enough to address the large crowd of participants and announce that Paul Lee was the first recipient of the award. Since then, I have met many of the subsequent award recipients and have been impressed with each of their special talents, skills, traits, character, and positive attitude.
On behalf of my family and close friends, I would like to express our gratitude to Paul Lee and all of the great staff of employees and volunteers of Recreational Sports for allowing this award to be a special part of such and outstanding program.
Rob Briner
Award recipients are treated to a lunch with Rob Briner, Chad’s father and Paul Lee, Director of Recreational Sports.
