Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference

February 19-21, 2026 • Dallas, TX

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.

Conference room with participants sitting in chair towards front of the room where speaker is presenting

Conference Schedule

Wednesday, February 19

Time	Agenda
8:00am-12:15pm	Preconference National Mall Tour: MLK Statue, Lincoln Statue, Washington Monument
9:00am-1:15pm	Preconference Museum Tour at the National Museum of African American History
11:00am-2:00pm	HBCU Summit
5:30pm-6:30pm	Registration/Check-in
6:30pm-8:00pm	Opening Keynote, Herman Williams Award Ceremony
8:00pm	75th Anniversary Party

Thursday, February 20

Time	Agenda
8:30am-9:30am	Registration/Check-in
9:30am-11:20am	Session blocks 1 & 2
11:30am-1:00pm	Take a Student to Lunch Break
1:15pm-2:00pm	Campus Athletic Facility/Yard Tour
2:15pm-4:15pm	Session blocks 3 & 4
4:15pm-4:30pm	Group photo
4:30pm-5:30pm	Mock Interviews/Professional Development
6:30pm	Conference Social

Friday, February 21

Time	Agenda
9:30am-10:00am	Closing Ceremony/Giving of Flowers
10:00am-11:50am	Session blocks 5 & 6

Schedule subject to change
Last Updated: January 17, 2025

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 sponsored by MATRIX

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

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.

The application period has ended