Since 1991, the North American Society for Sport History has recognized an individual or an organization for their significant service to the academic field of sport history. These awards are presented at the Closing Banquet of the Annual Convention.
| 2018 | Patricia Vertinsky |
| 2017 | John R. Schleppi |
| 2016 | Susan Birrell |
| 2015 | Willis Regier |
| 2014 | Bob Barnett |
| 2013 | Jan and Terry Todd |
| 2012 | Melvin L. Adelman |
| 2011 | Larry Gerlach |
| 2010 | Allen Guttmann |
| 2009 (tie) | Ronald A. Smith |
| Joe Arbena | |
| 2008 (tie) | Earle F. Zeigler |
| Roberta Park | |
| 2007 | Jules Tygiel |
| 2003 (tie) | John A. Lucas |
| Robert K. Barney | |
| 2001 (tie) | John Gaustad and Sports Pages Bookstore |
| Wayne Wilson | |
| 1996 | Richard Wentworth |
| 1995 | Maynard Brichford |
| 1993 | J. A. “Tony” Mangan |
| 1992 | Canadian Journal of History of Sport |
| 1991 (tie) | University of Illinois Press |
| Larry Malley |