The Lough Award is presented by

Dr. Nancy Lough dedicated her career to advocating for underrepresented groups in sport marketing through research, teaching, and mentorship. As such, the purpose of the Lough Award is to recognize an educator and scholar of sport marketing who not only promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, but also publishes research in these areas or on underrepresented groups in sport.

Award Description

This award is to honor an academician who makes exceptional contributions through one or more of the following areas:

1. Established record of research related to underrepresented groups in sport or topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in sport marketing.

2. Teaching or service-related activity that demonstrates a passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of sport marketing.

Qualifications

Academic members of SMA are eligible to be nominated for the Lough Award. Nominees must have been members of the SMA for a minimum of five (5) years. 

Nominations

All nominations to receive the Lough Award should be submitted no later than June 1, 2024. Self-nominations as well as nominations by current SMA members will be accepted until this date. In the nomination letter should evidence of the nominee's excellence in the four criteria areas listed above. 

Once nominations have been accepted, the SMA Awards Committee will notify the nominees of their consideration for the Lough Award and request additional materials detailing their excellence in the four areas listed above, including (but are not limited to): 1) a curriculum vita; 2) a written statement (not to exceed 3 pages) detailing the nominee’s contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of sport marketing; 3) evidence of teaching or service-related activity promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of sport marketing; and 4) up to four letters of support.

Nominees who do not receive the Lough Award will be considered for two (2) years after their first nomination. Past nominees will be asked by a member of the SMA Awards Committee if they wish to be considered again and, if so, will need to re-submit updated materials.

Selection

Members from the SMA Awards Committee will evaluate candidates based on the criteria listed above. The committee's Chair will notify the SMA Executive Board of the recommendation no later than August 1. This selection will then be voted on by the SMA Executive Board. Upon approval, the award winner will be notified of their selection. The Lough Award will be formally presented to the winner at the Awards Banquet of the 2024 SMA Conference in St. Louis, MO.

Questions or comments regarding the awards process can be emailed directly to Dr. Rebecca Achen, Member at Large for the SMA, at rachen@pacific.edu.  

Lough Award Winners

2023 - Natasha Brison, Texas A&M University
2022 - Ceyda Mumcu, University of New Haven
2021 - Nancy Lough, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Make a Nomination

To make a nomination for the Lough Award, please fill out the nomination form below. Simply fill out the required fields, copy and paste your nomination letter, and click "Submit." We will reply to the email address you provide once we've successfully received your nomination letter. Thank you!