Heart of the Series: The work behind the work teams

Every championship moment in the NIRSA Championship Series—every final whistle, every award ceremony, every team photo under the lights—begins long before players and officials ever arrive. Behind each regional and national event is a dedicated network of volunteers serving on the NIRSA Championship Series’ six Work Teams:

• Analysis & Development
• Basketball
• Community, Connection & Service
• Flag Football
• Soccer
• Standards of Competition
• Unified

These one-year appointments carry the heartbeat of The Series. Work Team members shape policies, build resources, support host sites, train volunteers, and set the stage for hundreds of programs and thousands of participants. Quite simply: we cannot do this work without them.

And for those who step up to serve, the reward is just as meaningful.

People who serve on Work Teams often describe the experience as transformative: a chance to deepen their connection to The Series, expand their skills, and work alongside passionate professionals from across the country.

Pay it forward

Clifford Richardson,  Coordinator of Competitive Sports and Camps at Oklahoma State University and current member of the Flag Football Work Team says that he volunteers because he wants to give back to the system that helped shape him:

“I volunteer with a NIRSA Championship Series Work Team because I want to give others the same development-focused opportunities that helped shape my own growth…I’d encourage others to apply because The Series offers meaningful mentorship, hands-on experience, and a chance to contribute to high-quality championship events that truly make an impact.”

Shape your professional identity

For some, Work Teams become a meaningful extension of their professional identity.
Samantha Wary, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation at Millersville University of Pennsylvania and current member of the Analysis & Development and Standards of Competition Work Team explains how volunteering helped her find her place in the broader NIRSA community:

“I have volunteered with the Analysis and Development and Standards Work Team for a few years now. This experience has truly helped me find my place as a professional in NIRSA, after having the opportunity to enjoy the positive impacts of the NIRSA Championship Series as a student. These experiences are available to all, whether you have years of experience or are just starting out. This openness and accessibility to such extraordinary opportunities allows all people with a desire to serve others and to learn and grow to find their own pathway to do so. If you’re interested in getting involved with NIRSA but don’t know where to start, the Work Teams are a great entry point. It allows you to make a significant impact on the championship experience, and it is incredibly rewarding.”

Discover inspiration

Others find inspiration in the collaborative, nationwide network of volunteers who bring NIRSA events to life. Rachel Lucas, Coordinator of Sport & Youth Programs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and current member of the Soccer Work Team describes how the teamwork and shared mission have shaped her experience:

“Volunteering with the NIRSA Soccer Work Team has been an incredibly valuable experience. I’ve been a member for two years now and it’s inspiring to collaborate with like-minded individuals from across the nation who share a passion for enhancing the quality of NIRSA Soccer regional and national tournaments. In my role, I’ve gained meaningful insight into participant and staff experiences through surveys, which directly inform how we continue to improve our events. Being part of this Work Team has strengthened my professional skills, expanded my network, and deepened my connection to the NIRSA community. I highly encourage others to apply if you’re looking for a rewarding way to make an impact while working with an amazing group of people!”

Connect your passion with purpose

And for many new professionals, this is where passion meets purpose. Sebastian Prado,  Intramural Sports and Spartan Greens Coordinator at Michigan State University and current member of the Soccer Work Team captures it perfectly:

“As a young professional, the idea of collaborating with other professionals from different institutions all working towards a similar goal lights a fire in me. Volunteering with a Work Team presents the opportunity for me to share ideas, learn from those around me, and contribute to something wonderful. The NIRSA Championship Series is something I have worked to be a part of, and volunteering with a Work Team allows me to achieve that goal. Sports are everything to me and being a volunteer brings a smile to my face.”

So, why volunteer?

Whether your strength is program analysis, sport-specific knowledge, community building, or event logistics—there is a Work Team that fits your skills and interests.

Volunteering gives you:

• A national network of peers and mentors
• Hands-on experience that grows your leadership and sport administration skills
• A meaningful role in shaping championship experiences for thousands of students
• A deeper connection to The Series—and to the people who make it what it is

This work is important. It is collaborative. It is energizing. And it depends entirely on volunteers willing to step forward.

Volunteer applications are now open for the 2026-2027 season and The Series needs you; the deadline to apply is January 29.

If reading this sparked something in you, we hope you will apply. If it brings a specific colleague to mind, we encourage you to invite them to apply.

Your voice matters. Your experience matters. Your passion matters. And your contribution can shape the next generation of NIRSA Championship Series events.

Join the people who keep The Series moving forward. Join the people who believe in doing this work for the right reasons. Join the people who make The Series feel like home.

Because at the end of the day… the volunteers are, and always will be, the Heart of the Series.