Witkop Named NJCAA Service Award Recipient
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – CCBC Essex Administrator of Athletics Greg Witkop has been named a recipient of the 2024 NJCAA Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award, it was announced at the NJCAA Convention.
Witkop has served as the administrator of Essex athletics since 2014, previously serving in the same role at CCBC Catonsville beginning in 2011. During his tenure at CCBC Essex, Witkop has served as the NJCAA Region 20 Committee chairperson for basketball and lacrosse, and has also served as the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MDJUCO) president. Witkop has also served as the men's assistant region director and a member of the NJCAA men's soccer and basketball committees. He chairs the NJCAA Lacrosse and Division III Men's Basketball Committees.
"I have been so blessed be able to work with so many great people, great leaders, and mentors who have made me better and along the way we have all made lifelong friends," said Witkop. "I am truly honored to receive an award for doing what I love, and equally honored to represent an association that provides countless opportunities for young people to achieve their dreams and goals."
Witkop has been actively involved with the NJCAA for a total of 24 years. He has a great deal of experience at the two-year level, having first been an NJCAA student-athlete at Niagara County Community College where he received his Associate of Arts while also playing on the men's basketball team. He previously worked at Harford Community College, Erie Community College, Cecil College, and Niagara County Community College. Throughout the years he has served the Association and its student-athletes diligently in various positions including head men's basketball coach, head women's basketball coach, head women's soccer coach, sports information director, and assistant coach for multiple sports.
"Greg is an exceptional leader not only at CCBC Essex, but also for our Region and at the NJCAA level," said CCBC Director of Athletics Melissa Miller. "His dedicated service to ensuring a positive experience for student-athletes is second to none. I am so happy that the NJCAA has honored Greg with the Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award, one of the NJCAA's top honors, as there is no one more deserving."
About the Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award
Founded in 1959, the NJCAA Service Award is the most tenured honor handed out by the association. It is given to those - most often not an athlete - who have made significant contributions to two-year college athletics on a national level for an extended period of time. Annually, one Service Award can be reserved for a member of the media. In 2017, the NJCAA renamed the honor to the Mary Ellen Leicht Service Award in recognition of the 28 years of dedicated service by its third Executive Director.