Operation Hat Trick requests Excellence in Service Awards nominations

The selection process for the annual Operation Hat Trick Excellence in Service Awards is underway!

Thanks in great part to the great activations and awareness campaigns of our collegiate partners, OHT continues to be able to make donations to support organizations that assist in the recovery of wounded service members and veterans. Since the inception of our organization, OHT has donated almost $5.5 million to more than 120 organizations across 41 states!

As part of the Excellence in Service Awards Program, OHT will present cash awards to the institution’s charity of choice on behalf of schools that are selected as finalists or a winner. Last year's donations made a very significant difference to all chosen organizations!

The Operation Hat Trick Excellence in Service Awards recognizes those institutions that have successfully leveraged their collegiate brands and campus assets to promote the vision and mission of OHT through marketing and fan engagement programs that drive sales of OHT co-branded merchandise, delivering important revenue for valuable programs and community donations.

Institutions that wish to be considered for an Operation Hat Trick Excellence in Service Awards must demonstrate success in the following areas:

  • A commitment to enhancing the visibility of OHT, thus ultimately being able to help OHT fill more gaps in care for wounded and recovering service members and veterans
  • A fully integrated approach to OHT at their institution (collaboration across multiple departments)
  • Inclusion of OHT in their campus bookstore
  • Expansion of OHT's reach to other retailers in their community and beyond
  • Execution of marketing, social media and promotional campaigns advancing the OHT brand and mission

Award submissions should be in a PowerPoint format that provides an overview of OHT activities as outlined above. Successful submissions will also include:

  • Sales figures that show an increase in OHT sales (where applicable)
  • Total social media reach of accounts used to promote OHT (i.e., a total count of all institution social accounts that posted, collaborated, etc., on the OHT-specific posts to provide a representation of the number of fans reached.)
  • Videos and/or links to videos used in the promotion of OHT are strongly encouraged to accompany or be included in the nomination.

Operation Hat Trick Excellence in Service Awards submissions are due by Tuesday, March 18. Please send PowerPoint decks and all supporting materials to:

          Trey Derrenbacker
          OHT Director of Licensing
          trey@operationhattrick.org

All submissions will be reviewed, and finalists will be announced in early April, with final awards presented May 8 in conjunction with the 2025 CLC Collegiate Licensing Seminar in Atlanta.

Local Organization Donations*

In addition to submitting your institution for consideration for an Excellence in Service Award, please proactively identify an organization in your local area that you would like to receive the donation should your institution be named a finalist or winner. The organization must fulfill OHT's mission of supporting the recovery of wounded service members and veterans. OHT will need that information in early April should your institution be selected as a finalist.

*Please note that on campus groups, such as Veterans Resource Centers, do not qualify for the donation unless they are a separate non-profit entity.

This year has been another record year for OHT thanks to your participation and commitment. YOU and your institution have helped us make a very big difference as we work to fill critical but basic needs for those who are struggling with the effects of battle and service

Thank you for your continued support of OHT!

We look forward to seeing your submission for the Operation Hat Trick Excellence in Service Award.

Sincerely,

Dot Sheehan
Founder/CEO
Operation Hat Trick

Trey Derrenbacker
Director of Licensing
Operation Hat Trick
trey@operationhattrick.org