“Be Your Best”

By Stan Shingles, 2015-2016 NIRSA President, Assistant Vice President at Central Michigan University

As my NIRSA journey continues, I continue to marvel, “Oh, the Places We Will Go!” This summer has been one of great service opportunities and experiences for me and many other NIRSA members. The excellent work of our Association is being done in all sectors of the profession, with volunteer leaders continuing to focus on our strategic values as the key elements uniting and underlying all of our work. The more than 1,500 members who served or continue to serve in volunteer roles showcase our commitment to making the profession of collegiate recreation better, and moving the needle in a positive direction.

Along with NIRSA Executive Director Pam Watts, I had the unique honor of representing the Association this summer as an invited guest at the Special Olympics World Games: Los Angeles 2015 (read more). It was truly an incredible experience that would be impossible to recreate in words! However, I think one moment from while I was there is worth sharing. As I was walking into the Unified Flag Football exhibitions, I had to pause to take in a large banner that simply read: “Be Your Best.” Although it was probably intended to inspire the Olympic athletes, I am certain that this simple message inspired all who were there. It was a reminder and a challenge to all to be their very best.

The importance of this message would certainly resonate with the NIRSA members and NIRSA HQ staff who participated as volunteers at the 2015 World Games. With a world stage, this event captured the true essence of Olympic competition while simultaneously showcasing the value of volunteer service. More than 6,500 athletes, 2,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers, 500,000 spectators, and 165 countries shared in ONE world of inclusion for these games. As UCLA Assistant Vice Chancellor and NIRSA Past President Mick Deluca tweeted during the games, “We play to unite all.”

NIRSA’s leadership has collaborated with the leadership of Special Olympics on a partnership to grow the many opportunities for NIRSA-member college and university programs to connect with their local Special Olympics offices to provide quality experiences (read more).

The values of Special Olympics truly align with our NIRSA values, and we look forward to positive results as we work together to expand this fruitful relationship. The platform of Unified Intramural Sports has the potential to expand exponentially; many collegiate recreation department’s are already planning programs for the upcoming year. Special Olympics International Unified Sports School & College Growth Specialist Haylie Bernacki, who has worked with various NIRSA campuses to host Unified Sports programs, says, “Throughout the planning and execution of the Unified IMs, no one fully realizes the powerful, life-changing impact these leagues end up having on the Special Olympics athletes.”

During my NIRSA journey this summer, I’ve also been inspired and encouraged by the great work of our Global Perspectives Commission, who convened recently at a summit in Baltimore, MD (read more). Under the leadership of Co-Chairs Kevin Marbury, Director of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Oregon and Chris Dawe, Director of Recreation at Mt. Royal University—and with the brain-power of a very talented group of professionals—this commission truly understands the potential and importance of NIRSA’s global reach. Global Perspectives Commission member Kathy Obuszewski, Assistant Manager of Aquatics at Case Western University, eloquently summed up their work, saying, “The primary takeaway from the summit was a shared understanding among Commissioners as to what NIRSA’s role in this domain should be and a clearer vision of the necessary work that will help move the Association forward.”

Since the summit, the commissioners have been working tirelessly to craft an agenda that supports NIRSA’s global priorities. A focus on cultural competencies, on understanding the impact the Association could have globally, and on aligning Association priorities and strategies with NIRSA’s values has this commission well-positioned for significant outcomes.

While the specific efforts of the Association’s three boards and the many commissions, committees, and task forces extend beyond what I have time to mention here, you can believe that the great work of the Association advances thanks to dedicated leaders and volunteers committed to the success of NIRSA. The strategic plan is guiding the Association’s work, and continues to be a valuable tool in setting priorities and aligning them with resources.

As we begin another school year, I know we are all mindful of the many positive experiences we will provide on our campuses and for our students, and excited about the continued work we will do on behalf of NIRSA. “Be Your Best” can become the standard we all aspire to.

Student success is a desired outcome for all of us who work in and around collegiate recreation. It is an outcome that will be realized as we engage in efforts that connect our good work to the success of our students. I encourage you all to continue to be your best in all that you do throughout the 2015-2016 school year. Your engagement in the many offerings of the Association will allow you to enrich your professional experiences, build your competencies, and expand your network.

The coming months will offer members a wide variety of options to develop professionally through volunteer services; whether it’s through local or regional conferences, Lead On workshops, NIRSA Championship Series regional or national tournaments, or the 2016 NIRSA Annual Conference & Rec Sports Expo at the Gaylord Palms from April 3-6, I hope your will take advantage of the many opportunities that NIRSA provides. The Board of Directors held its annual summer meetings at the site of NIRSA 2016, and this resort, I must add, will offer a tremendous and exciting venue for the Annual Conference.

After spending four days on the campus of UCLA for the Special Olympics World Games: Los Angeles 2015, I came away so inspired by the many lessons from and tributes to the legendary UCLA Bruins’ Basketball Coach John Wooden—who, I might add, has the Student Recreation Center named in his honor. Perhaps a precursor to the more simplified “Be Your Best,” Coach Wooden states “Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”

I wish you all the very best in your start to the school year. Let’s make this an outstanding year.