Humans of NIRSA: The Championship Series is more than competition

By William Trent, NIRSA Student Leader|2017-07-16T08:00:22-07:00January 6, 2017|Categories: Blogs, Student Leader's Notes|

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Flick is wearing his “Brand Management Hat” and working his magic as he live tweets for the Series. Watch where you’re walking, Flick!

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Kelsey poses for photographic proof that she directed a success Swamp Bowl Flag Football Tournament.

What if I told you that you don’t have to be a varsity athlete to win a collegiate national championship? Or that your job as an intramural sports official could project you into the national spotlight? Or even that your ability to volunteer for a tournament could take you to venues you’d always hoped to see? If any of this sparks your interest, then the NIRSA Championship Series is for you! It’s a prime platform for professional development and networking opportunities too.

Allow me to introduce you to two NIRSA members who are exemplary products of the NIRSA Championship Series’ opportunities for growth: Scott Flickinger and Kelsey Jones. Both Scott and Kelsey were informed of the Series’ many great opportunities early in their undergraduate pursuits, which ultimately led them to national awards, professional jobs in the field, and prized leadership opportunities along the way.

Scott, referred to as “Flick” in the video, currently serves as the Director for Intramural Sports at Cornell University. He began his career as a student official at The Ohio State University, and received his masters at SUNY Courtland. He has since worked with Bucknell University, Ithaca College, and Boston University.

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Kelsey attempts to handle Kentucky’s brutal conditions at a recent NIRSA Championship Series flag football tournament.

Kelsey Jones got her start at the University of Central Florida where she served as an intramural sports official and the Lead Intramural Supervisor. She currently serves as the Graduate Assistant for Competitive Sports at the University of Florida. I’ve had the personal honor of being her teammate on the Student Leadership Team as she is serving as the Region II Student Leader.

Hear the good word from Scott and Kelsey themselves as we talk NIRSA Championship Series history, involvement opportunities, and personal experiences:

For more information about the NIRSA Championship Series, check out Series Committee Chair Brooke Turner’s monthly NIRSA Championship Series Notes and follow the Series on Twitter and Instagram at @NIRSAChamp. And make sure to take a look at some available volunteer opportunities with the Series!

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Flick and crew pose at the outstand 2016 NIRSA National Soccer Championships in Foley, Alabama.

Also, always remember:

“‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Wayne Gretzky.’ Michael Scott.” –Scott Flickinger.

William Trent, NIRSA Student Leader

Graduate Assistant for Marketing & Social Media at James Madison University | NIRSA Profile

William Trent, NIRSA Student Leader, is currently the Graduate Assistant for Marketing & Social Media at James Madison University.

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