Jack Rossi

The National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) recently named Jack Rossi, Charleston Area Alliance chairman and member at Arnett & Foster, its 2010 Volunteer of the Year.

The group honored Rossi and six others during the 45^th Annual NACDA Convention in June.

Rossi’s work with the Mountaineer Athletic Club has greatly benefitted hundreds of West Virginia University (WVU) student-athletes through the creation of the Club’s largest fundraising event.

“Summerfest,” the semi-annual event held for the 1100 club, which benefits football recruiting at WVU, has raised more than $1 million over the last seven years. The completely volunteer-staffed event includes a high dollar raffle, silent and live auctions, food and drink, live entertainment and interaction with the football coaching staff. Not just limiting his generosity to football, this past summer, Rossi took the blueprint for “Summerfest” and held the first “Huggsfest” to benefit men’s and women’s basketball recruiting and the efforts to build the WVU Basketball Practice Facility. The event, which raised $700,000, proved to be the largest single fundraiser in Mountaineer Athletic Club history.

“Jack is a tireless volunteer, and we are very pleased the NACDA has recognized that,” said Matt Ballard, Alliance president and CEO. “We at the Alliance see his dedication every day. His devotion to community and business development in Charleston is clear, and that enthusiasm extends to his love for West Virginia University.”

Rossi’s commitment to West Virginia and the WVU community shows through his heavy involvement with the WVU Cancer and Children’s Hospital, the Childhood Language Disorder Association in Charleston, W.Va., and his service to the WVU Alumni Association and various university boards.

Rossi currently is serving his final year as Alliance Board Chairman.

The other 2010 NAADD award recipients are: Lifetime Achievement Award – Don Winston, University of Southern California; University Division Donors of the Year – Mike and Pat Case, University of Tulsa; College Division Donor of the Year – Lois Mitchell, University of British Columbia; University Division Fund Raiser of the Year – Jim Hall, Georgia Tech; College Division Fund Raiser of the Year – Todd Kelly, Colorado State University Pueblo.