Friend of NCS4 Awards to be presented at 2024 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition

Wed, 06/26/2024 - 04:33pm | By: Anthony Palazzolo

Four professionals in the safety and security industry will be recognized for their invaluable contributions to the advancement of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) with the Friend of NCS⁴ Award at the 2024 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition July 9-11 in Phoenix, Ariz. This event is presented annually NCS⁴.

NCS⁴ staff nominate individuals who have been integral to the Center’s mission, playing an invaluable role in its training, research, and outreach programs. Individuals receiving the award this year include:

• Walter E. Cooper, Program Coordinator, Interscholastic Athletic Administration, William Carey University
• Monica Martinez, Executive Director Emergency Management, Texas A&M University
• Ben Rolens, General Manager of Facilities, Katy (Texas) Independent School District
• Michael J. Stewart, Commercial Facilities Sports Leagues Subsector Lead, DHS/CISA

“We are grateful to each of these recipients for the invaluable leadership and assistance they provide,” said Lauren Cranford, MPH, CHES, NCS⁴ Director of Operations. “They have each gone above and beyond in helping us to further the mission of NCS⁴.”

The awards will be presented during a luncheon on the second day of the conference. This awards event is sponsored by Evolv Technology, which provides weapons detection systems for security screening.

About the 15^th Annual Conference:

The National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition will be held July 9-11 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, AZ. The conference will attract over 450 attendees and 70 exhibitors representing professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance events, sports and entertainment facilities, and those who provide safety and security products and services to the industry. Visit the conference website for more information.

About NCS⁴: Established in 2006, the NCS⁴ is the nation's only academic center devoted to the study and practice of sports safety and security. The NCS⁴ is partially underwritten by grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The NCS⁴ mission focuses on three key pillars: Training and Education, Research, and Outreach. For more information about NCS⁴, call 601.266.6183.