As we approach the new year, we’re reflecting on how grateful we are to be able to come together again and celebrate one another. Within the NIRSA family, there are many folks doing amazing things to continue driving the industry forward, integrating approaches to health and wellbeing, striving for inclusive excellence, and reimagining how we can meet the needs of modern learning and networking.
But there’s still plenty of work to be done. NIRSA professionals volunteer their time and talents to encourage and support today’s students and young professionals to keep making these strides. The Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders (ERSL) Conference is a signature NIRSA event for students and young professionals to network and explore their interest in campus recreation careers.
The ERSL Conference program committee is proud to announce an open call for proposals for the 31st annual ERSL Conference, happening at the University of Central Florida, February 8-10. Leaders in collegiate recreation are invited to submit a proposal by December 15 to present at the 2023 event.
Looking forward to 2023
We’d like to thank the University of Central Florida for hosting us in the beautiful city of Orlando. The ERSL Conference Committee is aiming to create a space where developing leadership skills is embraced, and new ideas and approaches are shared amongst peers. “I’m excited about the newness and youth of this year’s conference planning committee,” says Anja Shelton, Intramural Sports & Sport Clubs Coordinator at Austin Peay State University and ERSL Committee Co-Chair. “It seems as if there’s been a kind of ‘passing of the torch’ and while there are HUGE shoes to fill, I think there’s a lot of opportunity out there to do even more great things,” she adds.
“It’s an honor to have an opportunity to carry on the legacy of the many professionals that have come before us, and to continue the efforts to provide an outstanding event that impacts student and professional attendees alike,” says Trevon Walker, Assistant Director – Intramural Sports at Texas State University and ERSL Conference Committee Co-Chair. “This conference had a positive impact on my journey within the profession many moons ago, and the work we do is my opportunity to pay if forward,” he adds.
On behalf of the ERSL Conference Committee, we hope to see you in Orlando! Registration for this February 2023 event is open now.
Meet the committee
The 10 member committee is co-chaired by Anja Shelton, Intramural Sports & Sport Clubs Coordinator at Austin Peay State University and Trevon Walker, Assistant Director – Intramural Sports at Texas State University. The following NIRSA and NIRSA Headquarters staff members complete the roster:
- Ashford Evans-Brown, Assistant Director | Fitness Facility Operations, Florida State University
- Carlos Garcia, Director of Aquatics, Texas A&M University – College Station
- DeVanee Lasley, Assistant Director for Multicultural Programming and Advisement, YMCA of Middle Tennessee
- Kevin Martin (Kmart), Director of Rec Sports, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
- Kris Newsome, Assistant Director, Sports Clubs, University of Central Florida
- DJ Preston, Director of Recreation and Wellness, Radford University
- Brittany Rejda, NIRSA HQ Director of Learning
- Corbin Ross, Sports Venue and Event Operations Manager, University of California Los Angeles
- For more information, visit the 2023 ERSL Conference webpage.
Kevin Martin is currently Director of Rec Sports at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Taylor Barnett is currently the Events Coordinator at NIRSA Headquarters; you can reach her at taylor.barnett@nirsa.org.
