ORLANDO – New Mexico State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia was presented the 2019 Minorities Opportunity Athletic Association (MOAA) Distinguished Service Award at the awards luncheon during the MOAA Symposium at the annual NACDA Conference in the Orlando World Center Marriott.
 
"Receiving the MOAA Distinguished Service Award is extremely humbling and I am appreciative of all the positive strides our board has made in increasing participation and administrative opportunities for minorities in athletics," Moccia noted.
 
This is the highest award given to individuals by the association. It acknowledges and honors the effort of individuals who have given service to MOAA and strive to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity in its multitude of forms.
 
"The selection of Mario [Moccia] as the 2019 recipient of the MOAA Distinguished Service Award shows he is an individual that has contributed both locally and nationally to athletics, shown a commitment to higher education and student-athletes development, is a champion for Diversity and Inclusion and has demonstrated leadership with in our organization," said
 
A current board member and former association president (2015-17), Moccia has been an active member in growing the membership. In addition to his work with MOAA, Moccia also serves on the board of directors for the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation – which gives out eight $10,000 postgraduate scholarships to minority candidates who are planning to pursue a master's degree in athletics administration/sport management.