Northeastern University was honored with a prestigious U.S. Olympic Achievement Award on June 17 at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention. The university was one of only 41 schools nationally to receive the award, in its inaugural year, and was the only CAA school and one of just two Hockey East schools to receive the honor.

The achievement award, which recognizes those colleges and universities whose student-athletes and coaches have won Olympic medals, was created jointly by the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs) and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Scott Blackmun, CEO of the USOC, presented the awards in a special ceremony in Orlando, Fla.

A total of 28 athletes and 38 coaches from 41 institutions contributed to the USA's medal success at the last two Olympic Games in Beijing (2008) and Vancouver (2010). Colleges and universities are recognized based on two criteria: having a current student-athlete who was part of a medal-winning performance or a coach who was a credentialed member of the U.S. Olympic Team delegation and his/her athlete or team won a medal.

Northeastern was represented by women's ice hockey head coach Dave Flint, who won a silver medal as an assistant coach for the U.S. women's ice hockey team. Flint is no stranger to USA Hockey, serving on the staff since 2005. In 2008, he was appointed the goaltending coach and advisor for the women's national program, where he evaluates and instructs goaltenders at all levels. Flint also served as an assistant coach to the U.S. Select Team that participated in the Four Nations Cup in 2009.

"When Dave Flint was selected to coach our Olympic women's hockey team, it was an honor for everyone associated with Northeastern and our athletics program," said Peter Roby, director of athletics. "We are thrilled to be recognized by the USOC, NGBs and NACDA, and we are proud of Coach Flint. We remain committed to supporting our coaches and student-athletes as they pursue their Olympic dreams."

Below are the institutions that were honored for the performances of their athletes and/or coaches at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2010.

The U.S. Olympic Achievement Award will be presented every two years following the Olympic Games. Two versions of the award will be given: an actual medal that will be presented to each institution's athletics director, and a presentation piece that may be showcased in the athletics department.

Colleges and universities receiving the U.S. Olympic Achievement Award
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
Boston College
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles
Concordia University, Irvine
Duke University
University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Georgia
Harvard University
Humboldt State University
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Louisville
University of Maryland
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina
University of North Dakota
Northeastern University (Dave Flint, coach, ice hockey)
Northern Michigan University
The Ohio State University
University of Oklahoma
Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University
San Diego State University
Seton Hall University
University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
Southern Illinois University
St. John's University
St. Mary's College of California
Stanford University
Syracuse University
Tennessee State University
University of Tennessee
University of Texas
Texas A&M University
Wesleyan University
University of Wisconsin