NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lisa Snuggs, executive director of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and an outdoors industry veteran, is the 2016 recipient of the American Outdoor Sportsman of the Year award from the "Legends of the Outdoors" National Hall of Fame.
Snuggs, of Albemarle, N.C., has been SEOPA's executive director since 2000. She also is CEO of OJEFA, the Outdoor Journalist Education Foundation of America. Snuggs manages the daily business aspects of SEOPA, works with its board of directors, and is the editor/publisher of SEOPA News, the organization's newsletter. SEOPA has more than 400 members from the fields of communication, tourism, corporate relations, public relations and state/federal agencies.
"It's humbling, it really is," Snuggs said. "I feel like all I'm doing is my job, and I love my job. When Garry called me I truly didn't know what to say."
The "Legends of the Outdoors" National Hall of Fame recognizes outdoor sportsmen and sportswomen who, through countless hours of hard work and devotion to the outdoors in hunting and fishing, have played an integral part in setting the standards and guidelines for the rest of the outdoor world to follow.
"Without outdoor writers, whose stories are so important, many people would not be able to see, appreciate and understand the love of the outdoors those of us in the industry have," said Hall of Fame founder Garry Mason. "Lisa plays a big part in making that happen and we are very proud to honor her as this year's American Outdoor Sportsman of the Year."
Snuggs grew up with a love of the outdoors, fishing in particular, thanks to her family. Her parents and siblings encouraged her outdoors and musical interests as a youngster. That's one reason Snuggs enjoys working with young communicators in OJEFA. OJEFA is a non-profit corporation dedicated to further education, research and network opportunities in the field of outdoor journalism for students, active outdoor journalists and outdoor journalist organizations.
"Lisa is an outstanding professional, communicator and friend," said Josh Honeycutt, associate editor/Deer Hunting editor of Realtree.com. Honeycutt won OJEFA's 2012 Lindsey-Sale Tinney Award given to aspiring young communicators.
"Her unwavering integrity and incredible skills as executive director of SEOPA continue to lead and exceed standards," Honeycutt said. "Lisa's staunch dedication to not only SEOPA but also the outdoor communications trade is unparalleled. Anyone who has ever met or worked with her understands why she is receiving this award. And I stand in complete admiration of her life's work."
Hall of Fame Banquet
The 15th Annual "Legends of the Outdoors" National Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held Aug. 27 on the General Jackson Showboat/Music City Queen in Nashville, Tenn., on the Cumberland River. Boarding begins at 9 a.m. and will be followed by the banquet and induction ceremony at 10 a.m.
The event is open to the public. Individual tickets are $100 each. Sponsorship information and individual ticket reservations may be obtained through the "Legends of the Outdoors" website at www.legendsoftheoutdoors.com, or by calling (731) 593-0171 or (731) 693-7770. Ticket and/or sponsorship reservations must be made and purchased before July 31, 2016.
To learn more about SEOPA and OJEFA visit www.seopa.org.
