Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference
February 19-21, 2025 • Howard University
About the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference
The educational and professional opportunities at the Emerging Recreational Sports Leadership (ERSL) Conference fall within the spectrum of broad-based to 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 ERSL 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 network 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.
Presentation Proposals
Presentation proposals are no longer being accepted. Accepted proposals will be announced in early January.
Registration
| Early Bird Price on or before January 8, 2025 | Regular Price after January 9, 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Student Premier Member* | $95 | $110 |
| Student Member | $110 | $125 |
| Student Nonmember | $130 | $145 |
| Professional Premier Member* | $145 | $160 |
| Professional Member | $170 | $185 |
| Professional Nonmember | $210 | $225 |
| Associate Member | $205 | $235 |
| Associate Nonmember | $345 | $385 |
*Individual members who are on staff of an institutional member school are considered Premier Members. Students who attend an institutional member school are considered Student Premier Members.
The term “member” refers to those with a current NIRSA membership both at the time of registration and throughout the conference. If you are unsure about your individual membership status or your institution’s membership status, please send an email to membership@nirsa.org.
Preconference Activities
HBCU Summit
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
11:00am-2:00pm
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
Cost: Free & includes lunch (Register by February 14, 2025 to guarantee a boxed lunch will be provided for you)
National Mall Visit
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
8:00am-12:15pm
Join colleagues on a true Washington D.C. experience by visiting the National Mall, including a visit to the Martin Luther King statue, the Abraham Lincoln statue, and a trip to the top of the Washington Monument. ERSL Committee members will guide attendees on this trip, taking the metro as we explore the Nation’s capital. Please be aware that there is a 25–30-minute walk to the nearest metro station, you’re encouraged to eat breakfast and bring snacks. Dress comfortably for walking, as this is an outside activity in February. Transportation, and a box lunch are included. There is a maximum capacity of 55 for this event.
Cost: $40 per person on/before January 17, 2024
National Museum of African American History and Culture Tour
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
8:30am-1:15pm
In the Nations hub for museums, The museum of African American History and Culture hosts about 17 current exhibitions. Please be aware that there is a 25–30-minute walk to the nearest metro station, you’re encouraged to eat breakfast and bring snacks. Dress comfortably for walking, this is an inside activity. Transportation, and a box lunch are included. There is a maximum capacity of 50 for this event.
Cost: $40 per person on/before December 11, 2024
Conference Hotel
Courtyard Washington, DC/U.S. Capitol
1325 2nd St NE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20002 • (800) 321-2211 • Website • Map & Directions
Rates & Reservations
February 18-22, 2025
ERSL Room Rate
- $179+ tax per night with breakfast voucher for one person
Parking is $55
Attendees can make reservations online. Reservations need to be made no later than Friday, January 24, 2025, to confirm the discounted group rate.
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.
Proximity to Howard University
The hotel is approximately 1.5 miles away from Howard University’s recreation center. This is about a 15-minute drive, 25-minute metro ride, or a 30-minute walk.
Roommates
Looking for a roommate? The best way to match with a roommate is to post that you are looking for one in the 2025 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference Connect Community; once registered you’ll be added to the community.
Airport
The best airport to fly into is Ronald Regan Washington National Airport (DCA). It is about 15-20 minutes from DCA to the host hotel.
Apply for a Scholarship to Attend the ERSL Conference
Herman Williams Founders Outstanding Service Award
Learn about the Herman Williams Founders Outstanding Service Award and how to nominate your colleagues rooted in honoring innovative leadership toward the achievement of substantial improvements of minorities in the field of collegiate recreation.
Candice Douglas, Western Kentucky University
2024 Herman Williams Award recipient
