By Laurie Braden, 2014-2015 NIRSA President

As I sit down to draft my entry in the NIRSA President’s Notes leadership blog, I am fortunate to do so from a unique position of opportunity; I am looking back on recently enjoying the experience of the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference in Orlando, FL. This storied conference has a long tradition of providing minority students with tools and connections they will need to advance their careers in the active field of collegiate recreation.

It truly is special event; getting to share time with Mrs. Lee Wasson and Marsha Shelton and watch the legacy of NIRSA Founder Dr. William Wasson continue to shine so brightly is inspiring. I am grateful for these types of opportunities, as they continue to steep me in a rich history that has been profoundly impactful to students too numerous to count.

Spending time with so many aspiring NIRSA students and accomplished NIRSA professionals during this event—which happily coincides this year with the month of our Association’s founding in 1950, commemorated each year with Rec Day celebrations—was such a positive experience. It helped me to reflect on and appreciate my own “WHY?” Why do I have such passion and love for this Association and what we as collegiate recreation professionals do each day?

Some days my work seems easy and effortless; other days bring their fair share of challenges. Yet, every day I have the fortune to see students develop and grow into professionals who are inspired to pay it forward again. I’ve now had the opportunity to have students who worked with me and made the leap into the profession, and those students have in turn inspired others to make that same leap of faith. My “NIRSA grands” root me in the profoundly rich tradition that is the NIRSA family tree—and I eagerly anticipate the day of “NIRSA great grands.”  Together, we’ve all made a difference.

As dedicated leaders in collegiate recreation, we know that the impact we make each day—whether through fitness, adventure, student employment, club programs, intramurals or many collaborative programs on campus—matters. We make students smarter in the class rooms; we ready them for employment; and we provide opportunities for them to transform their lives. Recent research by John Dugan (Leadership in Intramural Sports & Club Sports) and by Scott Forrester (The Benefits of Campus Recreation) show more and more concretely that we are making a difference every day…that opportunity is my WHY.

I would guess something similar is why you like our profession as well. We matter; we count; and we care. Who could ask for a better return on investment than that? Working in collegiate recreation is a life well lead and worthy of pursuit.

As we move toward our 66th Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Exposition in Grapevine, Texas, I encourage you to consider your “WHY?” To reflect on what you can gain and on what you can give back by attending our Annual Conference. It is a time to grow, discover, connect, lead, play, and succeed—it’s a time for us to “Move Our Values Forward” as an Association and as individuals.

There will be many opportunities to recommit to our individual WHY at the many thought-provoking preconference workshops available.  NIRSA 2015 is your best chance to learn from great invited speakers and from other members who support and inspire us to continue making a difference, one person at a time, all year long.

I am thankful for the opportunity to know our rich history and am privileged to carry forward the values of Dr. Wasson and our founding members. I believe that they would be proud of where our profession has taken NIRSA and where we are going. I know that making a difference in the lives of students is important work and that as a profession we are doing a considerable part to support their development and growth.

In the spirit of making a difference…go move and take someone with you. It matters.

In service,
Laurie