Host the 2019 ERSL Conference
Deadline: April 1, 2018
The goal of the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference is to provide minority students interested in careers in collegiate recreation with the tools and connections they need to succeed in the dynamic field they have chosen to pursue. With educational programming and opportunities for mentorship and career networking, the Conference strives to provide the skills and knowledge needed for young minorities to gain meaningful careers in the field of collegiate recreation.
In order to obtain this goal, we need to keep costs low and provide the most suited environment to foster this type of dynamic learning. Please complete the following host site application to be considered for hosting the 2019 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference.
NOTE: Selected site will be provided five free registrations to be used at their discretion (for either student or professional registrations).
Learn about new career opportunities in the field of collegiate recreation through informational sessions and presentations in a supportive learning environment.
The educational and professional opportunities at the ERSL Conference are both broad-based and in-depth — from mock interviews with established collegiate recreation administrators to presentations on the changing landscape of recreational sports careers in our current economy. In 1992, the office of intramural sports at the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale established the first Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference to encourage a strong future of leadership for minority students in the field of collegiate recreation. The goal of the ERSL Conference has ever since been to provide minority students who are interested in careers in collegiate recreation with the tools and connections needed to succeed in this dynamic field.
With educational programming, opportunities for mentorship, and a platform for career networking, this unique conference empowers young minority students with the skills and knowledge that lay the foundation to building meaningful careers in the field of collegiate recreation. The ERSL Conference encourages diversity in our association in an effort to better reflect the populations and demographics that NIRSA members serve.
Presentations & Topics
This year’s theme is “Making Every Connection Matter”.
Presentation proposals should align with NIRSA’s eight core competencies, and the Program Committee has selected the following three competencies to focus on for this upcoming ERSL Conference:
Programming
- Specialized programming—intramural, sport clubs, fitness, etc.—or programming for special populations
- Effective program development, scheduling, and delivery
Philosophy and Theory
- Trends in recreational sports as well as health and wellness theories and models
- Professionalism and ethics
- Student development theories
- Participation-based philosophical perspectives
- Standards of practice, issues of equity and diversity, and student affairs issues and theories
Personal and Professional Qualities
- Problem solving
- Prioritization
- Adaptability
- Networking
- Analytical skills
Preconference Events
Get a jump start at the ERSL Conference!
Plan ahead!
Preconference events are on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
Biscayne Bay Cleanup
Hosted by FIU Wellness and Recreation BBC
Join FIU Wellness and Recreation at the Biscayne Bay Campus as we host volunteers for the ERSLC Costal Clean-Up! Volunteers will work to clear marine debris from our coastal mangrove habitats while recording the data. Volunteers will retrieve trash from the Bay side in kayaks and shore side while walking the picturesque campus trail. Our expert staff, Jonathan Torrey, will demonstrate to you the basics of sit-on-top kayaking and lead a group excursion into the Mangroves surrounding Biscayne Bay Campus. Our gracious sponsor, All Sport International, provides transportation to/from the host hotel and lunch.
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2018
Time: 9:00AM-12:00PM
Bayside Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:30pm, included
Cost: Walking Cleanup – Free, Tandem Kayak Cleanup – $5
The 2018 HBCU
HBCU Summit Initiatives:
- Enhance engagement of professionals and emerging professionals in collegiate recreation
- Surface opportunities, challenges, and issues that HBCU’s face in collegiate recreation
- Create awareness among non-HBCU professionals regarding the similarities and differences that HBCU programs have to other programs
- Provide additional opportunities for professional development
- Foster opportunities for graduate assistantships and develop pipelines for emerging professionals in the field
- Increase engagement within NIRSA through institutional and professional memberships that will provide resources to assist HBCU programs
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2018
Time: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Florida International University, Biscayne Bay
Mock Interviews & Résumé Critiques
As with every skill you’ve ever learned, you have to learn a technique and then practice, practice, practice!
A mock interview will not only help you perfect your technique, but it will also allow you to get valuable feedback and coaching on your performance. Working with a professional and getting feedback on your performance in a mock interview is similar to working with a sports coach to learn how to improve your game — both will enable you to learn where your strengths lie and where you may need work to improve your performance.
Time spent practicing will assist you greatly in either situation. An added bonus to preparing and practicing is the self-confidence you will gain.
In today’s competitive job market, you must be prepared and in top shape.
As job seekers, majority of the time, your first interview is generally a phone interview. The sole purpose of phone interviews is for the organization to:
- Fill in missing information or details from your resume’ or application
- Gauge how interested you are in the position
- To ensure that you understand the primary job responsibilities
- To reduce the candidate pool and pursue candidates that appear to potentially be a good fit
The committee has decided to create a phone interview environment. A rubric will be created that will enable the interviewers to grade the interviewees on specific criterions on a 5-point grading scale.
To sign-up either as an interviewer or interviewee, please check-out this link to the interview schedule!
If you’re interested in participating in or conducting a mock interview, please contact Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference Committee Programming Chair Charles Judkins.
Those interested in participating as interviewees need to submit his or her resume to Charles Judkins by January 6, 2018.
Awards
Herman Williams Founders Outstanding Service Award
Kacy Toberg
2017 Herman Williams Award recipient
Click here to learn about the award honoring innovative leadership toward the achievement of substantial improvements of minorities in the field of collegiate recreation.
Deadline to apply: December 1, 2017
Schedule of Events
The schedule is subject to modification.
Updates will be made to this schedule as more information becomes available.
More specific times and content information will be available in the upcoming months.
Residence Inn Marriott Miami Beach Surfside
Rate
$149/night + tax for Studio King with Sofa Sleeper
Reservations
Attendees can make reservations online or by calling 1-800-314-0923 and requesting the ERSL-FIU January 2018 group rate.
Reservations need to be made no later than Saturday, January 6, 2018 to confirm the discounted group rate.
Roommate matching will become available with the opening of registration.
Upon registration, NIRSA encourages all Conference attendees to reserve their hotel accommodations within the NIRSA room block. NIRSA relies on strong room block usage to secure ample meeting space, increase negotiation leverage for future institutes, and offset event expenses.
Engage
*Access to this event Connect community is only available for registered attendees.
About the ERSL Conference
In 1992, the office of intramural sports at the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale established the first Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference to encourage a strong future of leadership for minority students in the field of collegiate recreation.
The goal of the ERSL Conference has ever since been to provide minority students who are interested in careers in collegiate recreation with the tools and connections needed to succeed in this dynamic field.
With educational programming, opportunities for mentorship, and a platform for career networking, this unique conference empowers young minority students with the skills and knowledge that lay the foundation to building meaningful careers in the field of collegiate recreation.
The ERSL Conference encourages diversity in our association in an effort to better reflect the populations and demographics that NIRSA members serve.
Volunteer
With Service as one of our association’s strategic values, the 2018 ERSL Conference presents its attendees with volunteer opportunities in order to serve during the conference. Session monitors and registration managers are the two volunteer positions that this conference offers over its three days in Florida. Through this act of service, volunteers will be able to interact and connect with colleagues, get involved in very important capacities, and assist in the overall operation and success of the conference.
Please contact Anja Shelton if you are interested in volunteering during the 2018 ERSL Conference, or for more details.
Special thanks to the 2018 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Committee
- Andrea Snead, ERSLC Co-Chair, University of Central Florida
- Candice Douglas, ERSLC Co-Chair, Western Kentucky University
- Mark Dixon
- Charles Judkins, Programming & Volunteers, Florida International University
- Tanaia Keyes
- Scott Mauro, Marketing & PR, University of Central Florida
- Anja Shelton, Programming & Volunteers, Austin Peay State University
- Chrystina Wyatt, Hospitality and Marketing Assistant, The University of Texas at Austin
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email Andrea Snead or Candice Douglas.