PRINCETON, NJ — The New Jersey Athletic Conference announced Sunday the recipients of the 2025-26 NJAC Career Recognition Awards, honoring Holly Gera of Montclair State University and Kevin McHugh of The College of New Jersey and Stockton University for their distinguished contributions to collegiate athletics. They were honored at the annual NJAC Awards Brunch at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton.
 
HOLLY GERA | MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
 
Gera's connection to Montclair State athletics spanned more than three decades, beginning when she joined the university in 1989 as Director of Campus Recreation. She was promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics the following year, and in 1996 was named Montclair State's first female Director of Athletics — a landmark appointment in the program's history.
 
During her tenure, Gera oversaw significant infrastructure growth for the Red Hawks, including the construction of MSU Soccer Park and the MSU Softball Stadium, as well as major renovations to both Sprague Field and the Panzer Athletic Center. Her impact extended well beyond Montclair State's campus. She served as President and Past President of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators and was a member of the NCAA Division III Championships Committee from 2011 to 2015. She also served the NJAC as a sport chair in five different sports throughout her career.
 
In 2006, NACDA recognized her as the Division III Southeast Region General Sports TURF AD of the Year.
 
KEVIN McHUGH | THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY & STOCKTON UNIVERSITY
 
McHugh's career in Division III athletics administration spanned 35 years, including a combined 25 years as athletic director at TCNJ and Stockton. At TCNJ, the Lions captured 28 national championships during his tenure, and he has since been inducted into the TCNJ Athletics Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Hall of Fame as a contributor.
 
At Stockton, McHugh led the Task Force on Athletic Facilities and guided the Osprey athletics program through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing a return to competition that saw 17 of 19 intercollegiate teams compete during the Spring 2021 semester. He also added women's golf as Stockton's 19th intercollegiate sport.
 
McHugh's national service record is equally distinguished, having served as vice-chair of the NCAA Division III Management Council, chair of the NCAA Wrestling Committee, a member of the NACDA Executive Committee, and as president of both the NJAC and NESCAC.