To demonstrate an enduring heartfelt appreciation, the annual Rick Nafe Award for Excellence in Stadium Management was created to formally recognize the incredible industry and community contributions of Rick Nafe, Stadium Managers Association (SMA) co-founder and leader.

Funds raised will:

• help recognize students and industry professionals who embody the beloved characteristics of Rick and demonstrate commitment to the stadium industry, community involvement, leadership, and volunteerism.
• provide scholarships to honorees to further their professional development.

The first recipient will be recognized in 2024 at the SMA Annual Seminar.

The SMA Foundation is seeking donations to support this program, which will celebrate those deserving of the award and keep our friend Rick's legacy alive for many years.

Please consider a donation to support a program that looks to highlight individuals that hold the same values and traits that Rick demonstrated daily. In his name, we’ll support excellence in the industry that he loved and continue to tell his stories. He inspired us all to give our best and made sure we knew just how much he appreciated it.

To donate - please click the button below, fill out the online form, and select the Rick Nafe Award in the drop down menu for Donation Designation.

The Stadium Managers Association is delighted to announce the recipient of the inaugural Rick Nafe Award for Excellence in Stadium Management. After a careful selection process and considerable deliberation by our Award Committee, Mickey Farrell has been selected as the honoree for the 2024 Rick Nafe Award for Excellence in Stadium Management.

Mickey has not only exemplified the spirit of this award, he’s also been a key contributor to SMA initiatives. He’s made a lasting impact through his leadership and volunteer efforts.

Mickey will be officially recognized and presented with the Rick Nafe Award for Excellence in Stadium Management at a ceremony to be held at the SMA Annual Seminar. We look forward to the opportunity to celebrate Mickey and his achievements and contributions to the stadium sector. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mickey and we look forward to honoring him and sharing this momentous occasion with colleagues, friends, and SMA supporters!

This award looks to recognize individuals that demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to the stadium industry, shown through community involvement, leadership and volunteerism who also display characteristics that embodies the kindness, love of laughter, energy, and bold personality of our friend and colleague Rick Nafe.

Let’s remember and honor our friend, while recognizing another industry leader in the process.

Please note, it's not a requirement that your nominee be a current SMA member.

Rick Nafe attended his first meeting of what would become SMA in 1980 and has been a driving force in making this organization what is today, in the nearly forty years since.

He led the charge (some would call it a revolt) at the 1986 meeting in New Orleans – where the attendees had to spend the afternoon following Super Bowl XX sitting on their luggage in the hotel lobby waiting for the previous guests to check out - to formally create Stadium Managers Association. He played host to every annual seminar since, always finding the humor in the absurdity of everyday life, and always making certain that everyone was entertained.

His vision of Stadium Managers Association was to be the group that provided educational sessions in an enjoyable way, and to provide experiences that few others ever get to experience.

Rick Nafe served as the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team as Vice President of Operations & Facilities from 1996 until his retirement in 2019. Prior to joining the Rays in 1997, he served as Director of Operations at Tampa Stadium and Executive Director of the Tampa Sports Authority. Under his leadership at the TSA, he helped design and open three major facilities: Raymond James Stadium, George M. Steinbrenner Field and Amalie Arena, all of which continue to shape the sports landscape today. 

He served as President of the SMA from 1986 to 1997, was Program Chairman and acted as Emcee of the SMA Annual Seminar since 1986. His lifetime career in the industry as a leader, and his exceptional contribution to the Association exemplify SMA’s mission to provide resources to assist professional and collegiate stadium managers in achieving the highest level of facility administration and operation.

Rick was happiest at SMA and surrounded by those he loved.

The Rick Nafe Award for Excellence in Stadium Management is a joint project between the Stadium Managers Association and the SMA Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization serving as a fiduciary for the Award and qualifies for tax-exempt donations. Please speak with your tax professional about your donation.