GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Frontier Conference has announced that Jim Croft and Courtney Hicks have been recognized for their hard work for Argo Athletics.

Jim has been named the Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year and was awarded the Frontier Conference Distinguished Service Award. Professor Jim Croft joined the University of Providence in 1995 and as a proud Argo alum, he has served as the Faculty Athlete Representative (FAR) to the NAIA on behalf of all Argo athletes since 2012. He has also been web streaming games for the athletic department since 2002.

His research focuses on network engineering and operating systems, and the implications for implementing technology in automotive industry and athletics. He also teaches computer science and is a Microsoft-certified professional and trainer, as well as a systems administrator and engineer.

Courtney has been named the Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Frontier Conference. Courtney, a Missoula native, joined the UP athletic department in 2011. This past season worked with men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross country, and men's and women's track & field. Hicks has covered every sport in her time at UP.

Courtney holds a B.S. in athletic training from the University of Montana, as well as a Master of Science in Organizational Management from UGF.

Chief of Staff Kylie Carranza on Hicks' and Croft's service to Argo Athletics stated, "The University of Providence is blessed to have great people serving our students, some for a significant part of their lives. Both Courtney and Jim go above and beyond, and we a proud to have them as a part of our Argos community."