Jennifer Wasson athletic administrator at Saint Mary Academy in Riverside, Rhode Island, received the 2023 National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) State Award of Merit.

She was given the award during the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (RIIAAA) state conference held on April 5.

The award is presently annually by the NIAAA to an athletic administrator from each state for recognition of meritorious dedication to high school and middle school athletics.

Wasson started her athletic administration career in 2015. She has been heavily involved with the RIIAAA, serving on their executive board since 2019 and she is the president elect for 2022-2025. At the 2022 National Athletic Directors Conference, she acted as the Rhode Island state delegate.

Wasson is a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) through the NIAAA. A candidate must complete a series of five courses that provide in depth study of skills with a specific focus in athletic administration to earn the distinction. Upon completion of the courses the candidate is required to pass an exam which culminates in the bestowment of a credential that signifies the holder has met specific standards for the job.

In her local community, Wasson has contributed significantly. One example is she helped establish the "Growing Girls through Sports" program, which has allowed high school student/athletes to host clinics and teach middle school students about the disciplines in which they participate. Of note as well, during the COVID-19 pandemic Wasson created a meals on wheels program to take food to community members who could not leave to get food.

The NIAAA is an accredited organization and is the professional organization for interscholastic athletic administrators based in Indianapolis, Ind. Its mission is to provide professional development options for directors of athletics, and to enhance the athletic administration profession for its membership of over 14,000.