Robert W. Crawford Achievement Prize

"Sixty years of service” is an accurate but too concise summation of Robert W. Crawford’s career. As the Commission of Recreation in Philadelphia, Mr. Crawford established a national model for local government’s provision of recreational services for all citizens. His creativity and innovative ideas won him international recognition and, as its Executive Director, he played a key role in the development and growth of the National Recreation Foundation. He personified those qualities of leadership and commitment the Foundation seeks to foster and reward with The Robert W. Crawford Achievement Prize, named in his honor.

The purpose of the prize is to recognize a living person who has dedicated him or herself to enhancing recreation opportunities for youth, making it possible for more young Americans to live healthy, participatory lives, thus reinforcing the work of the Foundation. Each year the prize is awarded to that person – whether professional or volunteer – who has made an extraordinary contribution in advancing recreation programs for at-risk youth.

The prize consists of a $50,000 cash award, $40,000 of which will support the recreation-related work or project of the recipient’s choice. Individual members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees may make nominations; the award is presented at the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. J. Kent Hutcheson — 2007 Recipient

The National Recreation Foundation is honored to present Dr. J. Kent Hutcheson with the 2007 Robert W. Crawford Achievement Prize for his contribution to the youth of Colorado for over 25 years.

In 1982 Dr. Hutcheson founded Colorado UpLift and currently serves as a board member and president emeritus. In its 25 years of existence, Colorado UpLift has evolved into a distinguished youth organization working in the Denver Public Schools with support from Denver’s top business leaders, countless community partnerships and a volunteer guild of more than 125 individuals. As a non-profit organization dedicated to building long-term, life-changing relationships with urban youth, it has received several public recognitions, including UpLift student winners of the Metropolitan Mayor’s and Commissioners’ Youth Award as well as the El Pomar Youth Human Service of the Year Award in 2001. There are thousands of activity-based programs for inner city youth which include Boys & Girls Clubs, athletic teams, after school programs and many local and federally funded dropout prevention initiatives.

Before founding Colorado UpLift, Dr. Hutcheson and his wife, Diane, spent 12 years in Asia developing a leadership institute for young people. He clearly has a lifetime commitment to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged youth.

Dr. Hutcheson is a Denver native who was recognized in high school as a distinguished scholar-athlete in Colorado and a Teen All-American football player. He is a graduate of Wheaton College with a major in sociology with graduate study at Florida State University as well as a Ph.D. from Columbia Pacific University. He and Diane have been married for over 40 years and have three children and two grandchildren. The National Recreation Foundation is pleased to recognize this distinguished visionary individual for his achievements and contributions to young people.