The Security Industry Association (SIA) named Dr. Lou Marciani, director of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi, the 2016 recipient of its SIA Insightful Practitioner Award.

The SIA Insightful Practitioner Award is presented to a security practitioner who demonstrates leadership and excellence in promoting the implementation of innovative security solutions through education, advocacy and teamwork with the industry and other stakeholders.

“In recent years, the Security Industry Association has collaborated with key vertical market organizations to acquire and produce insights that help our member companies understand the specific security requirements of these users,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “That level of partnership and guidance, which the SIA Insightful Practitioner Award recognizes, is exemplified by Dr. Lou Marciani and the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security. SIA thanks Lou for his leadership in facilitating the exchange of information related to the security of sporting events and stadiums, and we are pleased to recognize him as our 2016 SIA Insightful Practitioner.”

Marciani said, “I am honored to receive this prestigious award. Today’s security at sporting events requires a full integration of people, process and technology, and I want to thank the Security Industry Association for creating a new platform of solution providers to assist NCS4 in making sporting events even more safe.”

SIA will present Marciani with the award during the Honors Night event at The Current at Chelsea Piers in New York,, on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The event starts at 6.30 p.m.; tickets are available from SIA.

As NCS4 director, Marciani is the principal investigator in research-funded grants through the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Education. His work at the center focuses on the development and implementation of risk management, incident management and evacuation training.

Marciani provides great insight into addressing the issues constituting potential and actual threats and risks to the ongoing security and safety of spectators at sporting events and venues, SIA reported in a press release. His background includes an extensive career in sport management, serving as intercollegiate athletic director at several universities and executive director of two national sports governing bodies for the U.S. Olympic Committee as well as academic achievements.

To register for SIA Honors Night, visit www.securityindustry.org/honors.