By Chris Muller

The NIRSA Annual Conference & Recreational Sports Expo is the premier event for those involved with rec sports to learn and connect with others in the field.

The NIRSA Foundation—because it’s invested in the personal and professional development of its members—is committed to getting you to this event!

NIRSA Foundation Scholarship applications are now available for professional and student members planning to attend NIRSA 2015, which is being held in Grapevine, Texas from March 30–April 2.

The NIRSA Annual Conference is a wonderful opportunity for all members to build skills in the field they love.

Even if you already have NIRSA 2015 covered, some Foundation Scholarships remain excellent resources for your professional growth and development; they can be used to fund any NIRSA educational opportunity, such as the NIRSA Recreation Facilities Institute or the NIRSA School of Collegiate Recreation. Whatever your plans and goals, let a NIRSA Foundation Scholarship help you get you where you want to be!

Foundation scholarships are funded through past and ongoing contributions to the NIRSA Foundation by many NIRSA associate, professional, and student members—as well as corporate partners and other friends of collegiate recreation.

Scholarship guidelines and eligibility requirements vary between student members and professional members. However, for both students and professionals the deadline to submit a scholarship application is Sunday, November 16. You will be notified of the outcome of your application in early January. Apply today!

Student Scholarships

The NIRSA Foundation will award a total of 28 student scholarships for NIRSA 2015. These scholarships can be used to cover the cost of event registration.

  • Fletcher/Leonida Endowed Scholarship (3)
  • Founders Endowed Scholarship (1)
  • Frederick R. Braden Scholarship for Social Justice in Collegiate Recreation (1)
  • General NIRSA Foundation Scholarship (3)
  • J. Michael Dunn Student Professional Development Workshop Scholarship*
  • Jennifer R. de-Vries Scholarship (1)
  • Life Fitness Corporate Partner Scholarship (1)
  • Mark E. Fletcher Scholarship (1)
  • Matrix Corporate Partner Scholarship (1)
  • Region I Endowed Scholarship (1)
  • Region V Endowed Scholarship (3)
  • Region VI SoCal Endowed Scholarship (4)
  • Salado Consortium (Texas) Endowed Scholarship (2)
  • Sonia and Max Gartenberg Endowed Scholarship (1)
  • Sports Imports Corporate Partner Scholarship (1)
  • Star Trac Corporate Partner Scholarship (1)
  • William Wasson Endowed Scholarship (2)
  • Woodway USA Corporate Partner Scholarship (1)

*The J. Michael Dunn Student Professional Development Workshop is an all-day preconference event on March 30, and so this scholarship does not cover the cost of conference registration. The number of scholarships will be based on interest.

Professional Scholarships

The NIRSA Foundation will award nine professional member scholarships, the majority of which can be used to attend NIRSA 2015. Scholarships cover the cost of event registration.

  • Anthony (Tony) J. Chivetta Endowed Scholarship (1)
  • Bill Thompson Scholarship (1)
  • Founders Endowed Scholarship (1)
  • Frederick R. Braden Scholarship for Social Justice in Collegiate Recreation (1)
  • J. Michael Dunn Endowed Preconference Workshop Scholarships*
  • Jennifer R. de-Vries Scholarship (1)
  • Region VI SoCal Endowed Scholarship (4)
  • Salado Consortium (Texas) Endowed Scholarship (1)
  • Will Holsberry Endowed Scholarship (4)

*J. Michael Dunn Preconference Workshop Scholarships are used to attend a preconference event on March 30, so they do not cover the cost of conference registration. The number of available scholarships will be based on interest; a minimum of two scholarships will be awarded.