NIRSA joins Project Play discussion about the state of play in collegiate sports

Project Play—a multi-stage initiative of the Sports & Society Program at the Aspen Institute—helps stakeholders build healthy communities through sports. Led by Executive Director Tom Farrey, Project Play developed a framework to introduce programs, strategies, partnerships, tools, and grant-making, while advancing a national conversation around youth sports. Since it was launched in 2013, hundreds of organizations that touch the lives of young people have used Project Play’s framework.

Registration for the 2020 Summit is FREE

The Project Play 2020 Summit will be offered virtually October 13-16 and registration for the four-day virtual event is free. As part of the lineup this year—and in addition to renowned cast of featured speakers—Tom will host a session that explores where the trends in varsity, club, and intramural sports are headed and how colleges can help center the sports model more around values of health and inclusion.

I have the honor of representing NIRSA on the panel along with Germaine McAuley, Director of Campus Wellness and Recreation at Spelman College and Brian Hainline M.D., NCAA Chief Medical Officer.

Tom and I met recently and through several conversations established a relationship based on the overlapping goals of NIRSA and Project Play. I’m excited to reconnect with him to talk about emerging trends in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially alongside Germaine McAuley whose Spelman Wellness Center is doing amazing work around integrated wellbeing.

Building healthy and inclusive individuals and communities

Project Play recognizes the importance and influence of club and intramural programs as part of a larger eco-system of sport; these avenues offer crucial pathways for access to quality sport opportunities. NIRSA and Project Play share a vision of sport based on the values of health and inclusion: We are excited to support sport for all, play for life because working together will advance our building healthy and inclusive people and communities.

We hope you’ll join us for the October 16 conversation! And be sure to stay tuned to NIRSA news and the @NIRSAlive social media channels for a recap of the session after the Summit event.