"Keith's enthusiasm and passion for post-secondary sport is an inspiration," says Aaron Schulha, men's volleyball coach and kinesiology instructor at Red Deer College. "He continues to go above and beyond his role as an athletic director to give back to sport through his involvement on boards and committees throughout the country."
Hansen plays an active role at Red Deer College, serving on the Student Athlete Council, the College Athletic Advisory Board, and the Athletic Scholarship Committee. He's also a member of Alberta Volleyball, Sport Alberta, Coach Alberta, the ACAC (Alberta College Athletic Association) and the CCAA (Canadian Collegiate Athletic Organization).
"Keith deserves to be recognized for the great achievements that he's accomplished this year at Red Deer," says Vince Amato, CCAA's vice-president of marketing. "His leadership and dedication to the student-athletes really exemplify what the CCAA is all about."
The Kings and Queens recently completed an enormously successful 2011-2012 season, earning three CCAA national championship medals and eight ACAC provincial medals.
The varsity program also produced 10 SIRC-CCAA Academic All-Canadians, tying NAIT in Edmonton, Alta. for the most in the country. "I think that's a true testament to Keith's leadership and the emphasis that he places on being an exemplary student-athlete," says Schulha.
The CCAA Athletic Director of the Year award is bestowed upon administrators working in CCAA member institutions making significant contributions within their college or community environment.
The award was presented at the CCAA's annual general meeting in Whistler, B.C. on Thursday, June 14, 2012.
