2017 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference
25th Anniversary of the ERSL Conference
January 19-21, 2017 • Jackson State University
This event is now over. Please contact NIRSA Professional Development if you need any information regarding this event.
Learn about new career opportunities in the field of collegiate recreation through informational sessions and presentations in a supportive learning environment.
The educational and professional opportunities at the ERSL Conference are both broad-based and in-depth — from mock interviews with established collegiate recreation administrators to presentations on the changing landscape of recreational sports careers in our current economy.
Host the 2018 ERSL Conference
Deadline: Has Passed
The goal of the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference is to provide minority students interested in careers in collegiate recreation with the tools and connections they need to succeed in the dynamic field they have chosen to pursue. With educational programming and opportunities for mentorship and career networking, the Conference strives to provide the skills and knowledge needed for young minorities to gain meaningful careers in the field of collegiate recreation.
In order to obtain this goal we need to keep costs low and provide the most suited environment to foster this type of dynamic learning. Please complete the following host site application to be considered for hosting the 2018 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference.
*Selected site will be provided five free registrations to be used at their discretion (for either student or professional registrations).
Registration
The registration deadline has passed.
Mock Interviews & Résumé Critiques
As with every skill you’ve ever learned, you have to learn a technique and then practice, practice, practice!
A mock interview will not only help you perfect your technique, but it will also allow you to get valuable feedback and coaching on your performance. Working with a professional and getting feedback on your performance in a mock interview is similar to working with a sports coach to learn how to improve your game — both will enable you to learn where your strengths lie and where you may need work to improve your performance.
Time spent practicing will assist you greatly in either situation. An added bonus to preparing and practicing is the self-confidence you will gain.
In today’s competitive job market, you must be prepared and in top shape.
This year the mock interview process will take on the form of “Speed Dating.”
This year’s mock interviews will proceed as follows:
Before we begin the Mock Interview process everyone (both students and professionals) who are participating will gather in one specific location. At this time we will be sure that everyone is paired up, then we will go over the instructions on how everything will take place. After providing directions everyone will head to our designated Mock Interview area. Once everyone is seated, the process will begin.
- The interviewer will have 5 minutes to ask questions in an interview format.
- Following the 5 minutes of interviewing there will be 3 minutes of follow-up about the résumé/interviewing techniques.
- After the 8 total minutes have been completed the interviewee will move on the next station and the interviewer will remain in place.
- We will provide about 1 minute of rotation time so everyone can get to their next interview on time.
- After the 1 minute break we will begin the process all over again until 45 minutes have passed.
- We will then return to the room in which we started where there will be time for debriefing. Students will have a chance to ask the professionals for tips and thoughts. The debriefing process will continue for 30 minutes providing about 10 minutes before the first educational session.
A timing device and bell/buzzer will be used to keep everyone on time. Warnings will be sent out 10 seconds prior to end of interviews.
If you’re interested in participating in or conducting a mock interview, please contact Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference Committee Co-Chair Ashley Dent.
Those interested in participating as interviewees need to submit his or her resume to Ashley Dent by January 6, 2017.
Presentations
The call for presentation proposals has passed.
More information on educational sessions will be available soon.
Topics
| Aquatics | Intramurals/Officiating/Extramurals | Risk Management/Legal Issues |
| Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | Managing/Leading Professional Staff | Service |
| Executive Leadership and Strategic Thinking | Managing/Leading Student Staff | Small College/Community College |
| Facility Management, Planning, & Design | Marketing/Public Relations | Special Event Programming |
| Family/Youth | Member Services | Sport Clubs |
| Financial Planning/Budget/Pricing | Outdoor | Student Learning Outcomes |
| Fitness/td> | Personal/Professional Development | Sustainable Communities |
| Global Perspective/td> | Research/Assessment | Technology |
| Health/Wellbeing | Revenue Generation/Mindshift/Entrepreneurial | Technology |
Awards
The application deadline has passed.
Herman Williams Founders Outstanding Service Award
Jackie McCarty
2016 Herman Williams Award recipient
Click here to learn about the award honoring innovative leadership toward the achievement of substantial improvements of minorities in the field of collegiate recreation.
Schedule of Events
7:30am-9:00am — Pre-conference Registration
8:30am-4:00pm — HBCU Summit (Registration Required)
9:00am- 4:00pm — Community Service at the Stewpot (Registration Required)
3:00pm-4:45pm — Registration/Check-In
5:00pm-6:30pm — Opening General Session
7:00pm-9:00pm — Meet and Greet
7:00am-9:30am — Breakfast (Dining Commons)
8:30am-9:50am — Mock Interviews
10:00am-11:00am — Session I
11:10am-12:10pm — Session II
12:15pm-1:30pm — Take a Student to Lunch
1:40pm-2:40pm — Session III
2:50pm-3:50pm — Session IV
4:00pm-4:20pm — T-Shirt Exchange (TBD)
4:30pm-4:45pm — 2nd day Wrap Up and Day 3 Overview. Social Information Distributed
6:00pm-9:00pm — ERSL Social
7:00am-9:00am — Breakfast (Dining Commons)
9:00am-10:00am — Session V
10:10am-11:10am — Session VI
11:20am-12:20pm — Session VII
12:20pm-1:30pm — Lunch, Closing Remarks
Jackson Marriot
Rate
$99 a night (+ taxes and fees) for double occupancy
Reservations
The group block designation is ERSL-ALMS State Workshop; to reserve your room call Marriott reservations at 800-228-9290 or 601-969-5100 and reference the block designation.
You must reserve the room by January 3, 2017 in order to receive the group block rate.
Hotel amenities for attendees include complimentary parking and internet.
Upon registration, NIRSA encourages all Conference attendees to reserve their hotel accommodations within the NIRSA room block. NIRSA relies on strong room block usage to secure ample meeting space, increase negotiation leverage for future institutes, and offset event expenses.
Engage
*Access to this event Connect community is only available for registered attendees.
About the ERSL Conference
In 1992, the office of intramural sports at the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale established the first Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference to encourage a strong future of leadership for minority students in the field of collegiate recreation.
The goal of the ERSL Conference has ever since been to provide minority students who are interested in careers in collegiate recreation with the tools and connections needed to succeed in this dynamic field.
With educational programming, opportunities for mentorship, and a platform for career networking, this unique conference empowers young minority students with the skills and knowledge that lay the foundation to building meaningful careers in the field of collegiate recreation.
The ERSL Conference encourages diversity in our association in an effort to better reflect the populations and demographics that NIRSA members serve.
Volunteer
With Service as one of our association’s strategic values, the 2017 ERSL Conference presents its attendees with volunteer opportunities in order to serve during the conference. Session monitors and registration managers are the two volunteer positions that this conference offers over its three days in Mississippi. Through this act of service, volunteers will be able to interact and connect with colleagues, get involved in very important capacities, and assist in the overall operation and success of the conference.
Please contact Tanaia Keyes if you are interested in volunteering during the 2017 ERSL Conference, or for more details.
Special thanks to the 2017 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Committee
- Andrea Snead, ERSLC Co-Chair, University of Central Florida
- Ashley Dent, ERSLC Co-Chair, Florida International University
- Tim Collins, Program Committee Chair, California State University-Montery Bay
- Barry Greene Jr., Programming, California State University-San Bernardino
- Dexter Shorter, HBCU/Minority Recruitment, The Ohio State University
- Candice Douglas, Hospitality & Sponsorships, Western Kentucky University
- Mark Dixon, Hospitality & Sponsorships, Jackson State University
- Nigel Harris, Socials, University of Texas at San Antonio
- Tanaia Keyes, Volunteers, University of Georgia
- Cherodie Cannon, Marketing & PR