This schedule is subject to change. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Check-in & Registration

8:00 am-9:45 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Welcome & Keynote Address

10:00 am-11:15 am • Kensington East & West

Set the tone for this event with an opening welcome address by Jean Holt, followed by keynote speaker Jake Kelfer. Jake is a high-energy, inspirational speaker on a mission to elevate and motivate millions of people to achieve their definition of success.


Lunch Bunch

11:30 am-1:30 pm • Kensington North

The Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to network with fellow attendees. The Lunch Bunch will start with a group activity followed by the opportunity to engage in conversations over lunch.


Care to Play: Athletic Training for All Levels of Implementation

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA; Elisabeth Henry, University of California-San Diego; Mike Dominguez, University of California-Davis
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

In the world of competitive sports—one with an increased focus on concussion management—competent medical coverage is a growing expectation. This session will be informative and interactive, highlighting benefits, challenges, and resources available for integrating athletic training into your program no matter its size. The focus is on enhancing an existing program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Business Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the benefits and challenges associated with having full-time athletic trainers in your sport club program.
  • Identify alternatives to full-time athletic trainers to accommodate SGB, league, and/or campus requirements and funding sources.
  • Discuss how to build on-campus relationships to optimize existing resources and improve cost effectiveness.

Moving on Up: Achieving Ideal Governance

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Buning, PhD, The University of Queensland; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

Sport clubs are a critical provider of sport participation opportunities for communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States as they serve multiple foci of promoting sport, social, economic, and health functions. Similar to international and community sport clubs, American collegiate sport clubs operate in accordance with a sport governing body and provide similar services to their members. However, their regulatory framework is unique as clubs are required to remain in compliance with the policies, regulations, and procedures of their associated university. Across the United States, the majority of collegiate sport clubs are governed by university recreational sport departments whose administrative philosophies range from conservative to liberal. Unfortunately, current governance structures have been identified as a primary obstacle to clubs operating at full capacity, compelling further investigation as to the ideal governance of sport clubs. A study was conducted among 17 experts in the field of collegiate recreation to establish consensus around key issues of governance pertaining to collegiate sport clubs. Major themes include: professional staff responsibilities, department governance, club operations, program constraints, ideal governance, and measures of program success. The presenters will utilize the findings of the study to facilitate dialogue around how collegiate sport club programs can achieve ideal governance.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the responsibilities, operations, and department governance structures used in sport club programs across the industry and apply best practices to your program.
  • Be able to explain the internal and external constraints that impact collegiate sport club programs.
  • Be able to critically assess proposed ideal governance structures for collegiate sport club programs.

Esports: What are they? Why Should We Participate In These Programs?

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

Esports is a fast-growing and fast-moving field in sports and on campuses nationwide. Some schools of thought focus on all the money esports can bring to programs and others believe that it’s possible to align esports within campus recreation because as rec experts we know best how to manage them. This school of thought says that if we’re not directing the future of esports then who will? It believes that students can show us best how to implement these programs and it insists that we engage with an entire demographic of students who we might otherwise not reach. Another school of thought believes esports go against what we do as rec professionals. During this presentation, we will discuss the different models for esports and how the bottom up philosophy for esports should be the model to implement. We’ll also discuss the impact the gaming community can have on your campus.

Core Competencies: Programming, Facility Management, Planning & Design

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what could happen if esports is embraced as a club sport on your campus.
  • Understand the different models that are currently used to form esports teams across the country as well as the upsides and downsides of each model.
  • Learn how to engage the campus community with your esports team and what can be done to alter the perception of esports and gaming in general on your campus.

Flip This Training: Making Better Use of Club Officer Training Time

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Joe Schaffer, Oregon State University
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

Have you been told your club officer training is slow, boring, and ineffective? Looking for a new approach to club officer training? During this session, attendees will learn about a “flipped classroom” teaching concept that can be applied to your officer training. This will allow you to remove the boring policy powerpoints and replace them with engaging active learning environments.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to explain what a flipped classroom is and how it can be applied to student trainings.
  • Be able to incorporate online teaching methods into trainings.
  • Be able to identify three active-learning techniques.

Coffee Break

3:45 pm-4:15 pm • Rotunda

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Sport Club Roundtable

4:15 pm-5:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Attend this Roundtable to engage in conversations about key topics facing sport clubs.


Welcome Social presented by College Promo

5:30 pm-7:30 pm • Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen

College Promo is happy to be able to sponsor a welcome social for all NIRSA Sport Club Institute attendees! The social will take place at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen on the Jazz Balcony; light appetizers and drink tickets will be provided.

Check-in & Registration

7:00 am-8:00 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Lightning Talks

8:00 am-9:00 am • Cornwall North & South

I Got 99 Problems and Most of Them Are Clubs

8:00 am-9:00 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

Expensive dues, travel violations, hazing, lost equipment, late paperwork, and missed meetings are just a few of the issues our club officers are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Now more than ever it’s vital for club leaders to use effective decision making to problem solve. This presentation will explore decision making and the various ways it takes shape within a club program to effectively develop leaders among club officers.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the role decision making plays in developing student club officers.
  • Learn how to apply aspects of restorative justice to relevant club issues.
  • Examine current club programs for areas that allow for student officer leadership growth.

They’re More Than Athletes

9:15 am-10:15 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristen Sullivan, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus; Michael Potter, Penn State University
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

This program is designed to highlight how club sports programs can use both on- and off-campus resources to enhance the leadership abilities and development of students who participate in club sports. Information will be given about successful practices and there will be inspiring discussions of how these practices can be beneficial to your program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify ways to diversify the learning opportunities of club sport participants through deliberate on-campus and off-campus partnerships.
  • Learn how to conduct additional trainings for club sport officers in an effort to improve their leadership abilities.

Perceived Institutional Barriers to Sport Club Effectiveness

9:15 am-10:15 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Rathjens, RCRSP, The Ohio State University; Patrick Marsh, Baylor University; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

University professional staff charged with administering recreational sport programs employ either a conservative or liberal administrative approach when providing oversight for sport clubs. Universities that provide greater support often retain the vast majority of control with regard to policy making, membership, scheduling, and financial management. Comparatively, the liberal model is typically adopted by universities with limited resources, thus providing club officers and members greater autonomy with regard to club operations. As the philosophical administrative approach to overseeing sport clubs varies across institutions, there is a need to explore best practices and the impact of institutional policies and procedures on sport clubs to inform future policy reform. This study, funded by the NIRSA Foundation, was conducted across three universities to gauge perceived barriers to sport club administration effectiveness as viewed by recreational sports professional staff and sport club leaders. Major barriers identified include limited financial resources and facility space, elevated regulations and restrictions, convoluted processes, miscommunication, and inconsistent application of rules. The presenters will also lead a discussion on strategies for policy reform, student leader training, and overall effective administration.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to identify the common sport club administrative approaches that are being used within NIRSA.
  • Be able to describe the predominant institutional barriers impacting the effectiveness of sport club programs.
  • Understand how to develop strategies to address institutional barriers on your campus to enhance the administration of sport club programs.

Coffee Break

10:15 am-10:45 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Professional Panel

10:45 am-11:45 am • Cornwall North & South

Join your colleagues and get ready to learn from professionals at different stages in their careers.

Recruitment & Retention Roundtable

10:45 am-11:45 am • Kensington East & West

Recruitment and retention are one of the pillars of a successful sport club. Join colleagues to discuss topics like first generation college students, new student orientation, retention initiatives, or marketing.


T-Shirt Exchange

11:45 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Represent your school and clubs by participating in the Sport Club Institute T-Shirt Exchange. All you have to do is bring one—or a few—T-shirts from your various campus recreation events or programs and exchange them with colleagues!


Networking Lunch & Expo

12:15 pm-2:15 pm • Kensington North

Let the conversations begin with lunch at the Networking Lunch & Expo. Attendees and Sport Governing Bodies can enjoy a buffet lunch while networking and viewing Sport Governing Body displays.


Sport Governing Body Panel

2:15 pm-3:15 pm • Cornwall North & South

Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) continue to grow and they’ve made it clear that they’ll be around for the future. What’s the scope of their responsibility in the scheduling of leagues and in the balance of home vs. away games? Why do fees continue to increase? And where is the money going? There’s a need for setting new standards of eligibility in order to create a clear and consistent message across the board. This roundtable is an open forum combined with small table discussion and will feature representatives from SGBs answering these questions as well as any others attendees may have.


Sport Governing Bodies Roundtable

3:30 pm-5:30 pm • Kensington East & West

Clubs around North America are looking for more and more structured leagues and tournaments, and Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are some of the largest providers of these structured leagues. But what are these organizations, what are their goals, and what roles do they play in the future of club sports? This roundtable will provide an opportunity for learning about SGBs and their structures.

NIRSA Club Basketball – Get Involved!

8:30 am-9:30 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison; Jarrod Davis, The Ohio State University

Are you wondering what the NIRSA Club Basketball Conference entails? Are you interested in hosting a club basketball event but don’t know what it takes? Has your club team asked why they should join the NIRSA Club Basketball Conference? Come learn about how NIRSA Club Basketball is run, the benefits of hosting and what your club team could get out of participating.

From Sport Club Athlete to Student Employee: Leveraging Club Experiences to Create Rockstar Employees

8:30 am-9:30 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Abby Van Note, University of Wisconsin- Madison; Tomer Korabelnikov, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

As students are becoming more selective in how they engage on a college campus, it’s becoming more and more important to intentionally recruit student employees. This session will focus on how we can help sport club athletes become successful student employees. This session will include case studies and will be grounded in student development theory.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the shared strengths of sport club officers and student employees.
  • Learn how to incorporate sport club athletes into a student employment model.
  • Learn how to apply student development theory to the student employment experience with a focus on the sport club athlete’s experiences.

Money Changes Things: Determining Equity in Club Allocations

9:45 am-10:45 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Jonathan Elliott, RCRSP, University of Arkansas; Laura Shively, University of Arkansas
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

Have you ever wanted to give your budget allocation process a reboot? Point and tier systems have provided a great foundation for club sports programs, but it’s time for a jolt of innovation and a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and determine equitable budgetary processes without points or tiers. Come learn the formula we use at the University of Arkansas and see if you can take away some tips and tools to renovate your allocation process.

Core Competencies: Business Management

Topic: Financial Management

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to define money equity, diversity, and inclusion in relation to club sports.
  • Learn the difference between determining the cost per club sports athlete versus expenses per club sports athlete.
  • Be able to define what money equity, diversity, and inclusion means and how to apply it to your program.

Toto, I Have A Feeling We’re Not Supervising Anymore: A Student Organization Advisor Toolkit for Success

9:45 am-10:45 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Chad Zimmerman, The University of Texas at Austin; Mario Rios, Texas State University
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

As sport club professionals, we’re different than many of our recreation colleagues. While our counterparts tend to supervise large staffs, sport club directors are often advising students more often than supervising students. Advising student organizations can be a fulfilling and challenging experience involving multiple hats. This session will cover the essentials of serving as an advisor, highlight common challenges, review best practices and resources, and cover important strategies for success. This session is open to anyone, from the first-timer to the seasoned, been-around-the-block student organization advisor. ​​

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key differences between supervising and advising students (and student organizations).
  • Learn two criteria for organizational development.
  • Learn of three personal characteristics that will make you successful in advising student organizations.

Coffee Break

10:45 am-11:15 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Developing a Multidisciplinary Concussion Management Program for Competitive Club Sports

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristin DeMars, California State University, Long Beach; Kimberly Fodran, California State University, Long Beach; Rita Hayes, CRSS, California State University, Long Beach; Rebecca Seguancia, California State University, Long Beach
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

The CSULB Club Sport Concussion Management Program was established in Fall 2016. The CSU Concussion Project developed a needs assessment and published guidelines for developing a concussion management program in the CSU Sports Club Guide in 2015. To respond proactively to these guidelines, a group of varied departments and disciplines was assembled on the CSULB campus. Ultimately, the program was created through the combined efforts of Club Sports, Risk Management, Student Health Services, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Club Sports, in collaboration with Risk Management, identified which sports were most at-risk and which participants needed to be required to partake in the program. Club Sports then secured funding and established an online system to manage data. The director of SHS worked closely with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program faculty to develop a physician-directed program and set up specific clinic hours for post-concussion assessments. The DPT program provided both faculty and students with the opportunity to participate in baseline testing and post-concussion rehabilitation. In the last three years, our program has completed baselines on over 600 club sport athletes and treated 40 concussed athletes. Our multidisciplinary program is an example of a unique collaboration of disciplines commonly found on many college campuses as well as an example of a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary club sport concussion management program.
  • Know the five-step process from education to return-to-play of a concussed club sport athlete.
  • Understand the benefits of post-concussion rehabilitation and be able to provide a case study to demonstrate the application of your program.

All Are Welcome: Creating Inclusive Cultures for Any Club

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: 1 NIRSA CEU

When a club has a toxic culture, its chances of survival are slim. In order to thrive both on and off the field, members from the top down need to feel welcomed, heard, and supported. In this presentation, we will examine both the desired and the disastrous traits of club culture, review a workshop and case study with a club experiencing culture issues, and create a custom workshop agenda to address an issue your club is currently experiencing.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Recruitment & Retention

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify three desirable components of a welcoming club culture.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of available tools and resources to shape club culture.
  • Design an agenda to address current issues within club programs.

Looking Ahead to 2020

12:15 pm-12:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Brittany Rejda, NIRSA; Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison

Join us in closing out the 2019 Institute with some Q&A and discussion about next year’s new event, the 2020 NIRSA Intramural & Sport Club Institute.

Check-in & Registration

8:00 am-9:45 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Welcome & Keynote Address

10:00 am-11:15 am • Kensington East & West

Set the tone for the event with an opening welcome address followed by our keynote speaker.


Lunch Bunch

11:30 am-1:30 pm • Kensington North

The Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to network with fellow institute attendees. Lunch will follow the Welcome & Keynote Address and will be served buffet style. The Lunch Bunch will start with a group activity followed by the opportunity to connect with students and professionals at individual tables. On your conference name badge you will notice a sticker. When you walk into the ballroom, that sticker will match up with tables each labeled with the same sticker. A list of topics and questions will be located at each table to facilitate conversation.


Care to Play: Athletic Training for All Levels of Implementation

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA; Elisabeth Henry, University of California-San Diego; Mike Dominguez, University of California-Davis
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

In the world of competitive sports—one with an increased focus on concussion management—competent medical coverage is a growing expectation. This session will be informative and interactive, highlighting benefits, challenges, and resources available for integrating athletic training into your program no matter its size. The focus is on enhancing an existing program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Business Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the benefits and challenges associated with having full-time athletic trainers in your sport club program.
  • Identify alternatives to full-time athletic trainers to accommodate SGB, league, and/or campus requirements and funding sources.
  • Discuss how to build on-campus relationships to optimize existing resources and improve cost effectiveness.

Moving on Up: Achieving Ideal Governance

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Buning, PhD, The University of Queensland; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Sport clubs are a critical provider of sport participation opportunities for communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States as they serve multiple foci of promoting sport, social, economic, and health functions. Similar to international and community sport clubs, American collegiate sport clubs operate in accordance with a sport governing body and provide similar services to their members. However, their regulatory framework is unique as clubs are required to remain in compliance with the policies, regulations, and procedures of their associated university. Across the United States, the majority of collegiate sport clubs are governed by university recreational sport departments whose administrative philosophies range from conservative to liberal. Unfortunately, current governance structures have been identified as a primary obstacle to clubs operating at full capacity, compelling further investigation as to the ideal governance of sport clubs. A study was conducted among 17 experts in the field of collegiate recreation to establish consensus around key issues of governance pertaining to collegiate sport clubs. Major themes include: professional staff responsibilities, department governance, club operations, program constraints, ideal governance, and measures of program success. The presenters will utilize the findings of the study to facilitate dialogue around how collegiate sport club programs can achieve ideal governance.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the responsibilities, operations, and department governance structures used in sport club programs across the industry and apply best practices to your program.
  • Be able to explain the internal and external constraints that impact collegiate sport club programs.
  • Be able to critically assess proposed ideal governance structures for collegiate sport club programs.

Esports: Are They Sports? Why Should We Participate In Them?

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Esports is a fast-growing and fast-moving field in sports and on campuses nationwide. Some schools of thought focus on all the money esports can bring to programs and believe that it’s possible to align esports within the field of campus rec because as rec experts we know best how to handle them. This school of thought says that if we’re not directing the future of esports than who will? It believes that students can show us best how to implement this technology and it insists that we engage with an entire demographic of students who we might otherwise not reach. Another school of thought believes esports go against what we do as rec professionals. During this presentation, we will discuss the different models for esports and how the bottom up philosophy for esports should be the model to implement. We’ll also discuss the impact the gaming community can have on your campus.

Core Competencies: Programming, Facility Management, Planning & Design

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what could happen if esports is embraced as a club sport on your campus.
  • Understand the different models that are currently used to form esports teams across the country as well as the upsides and downsides of each model.
  • Learn how to engage the campus community with your esports team and what can be done to alter the perception of esports and gaming in general on your campus.

Flip This Training: Making Better Use of Club Officer Training Time

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Joe Schaffer, Oregon State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you been told your club officer training is slow, boring, and ineffective? Looking for a new approach to club officer training? During this session, attendees will learn about a “flipped classroom” teaching concept that can be applied to your officer training. This will allow you to remove the boring policy powerpoints and replace them with engaging active learning environments.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to explain what a flipped classroom is and how it can be applied to student trainings.
  • Be able to incorporate online teaching methods into trainings.
  • Be able to identify three active-learning techniques.

Coffee Break

3:45 pm-4:15 pm • Rotunda

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Sport Club Roundtable

4:15 pm-5:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.

Check-in & Registration

7:00 am-8:00 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Lightning Talks

8:00 am-9:00 am • Cornwall North & South
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

I Got 99 Problems and Most of Them Are Clubs

8:00 am-9:00 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Expensive dues, travel violations, hazing, lost equipment, late paperwork, and missed meetings are just a few of the issues our club officers are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Now more than ever it’s vital for club leaders to use effective decision making to problem solve. This presentation will explore decision making and the various ways it takes shape within a club program to effectively develop leaders among club officers.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the role decision making plays in developing student club officers.
  • Learn how to apply aspects of restorative justice to relevant club issues.
  • Examine current club programs for areas that allow for student officer leadership growth.

They’re More Than Athletes

9:15 am-10:15 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristen Sullivan, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus; Michael Potter, Penn State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

This program is designed to highlight how club sports programs can use both on- and off-campus resources to enhance the leadership abilities and development of students who participate in club sports. Information will be given about successful practices and there will be inspiring discussions of how these practices can be beneficial to your program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify ways to diversify the learning opportunities of club sport participants through deliberate on-campus and off-campus partnerships.
  • Learn how to conduct additional trainings for club sport officers in an effort to improve their leadership abilities.

Perceived Institutional Barriers to Sport Club Effectiveness

9:15 am-10:15 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Rathjens, RCRSP, The Ohio State University; Patrick Marsh, Baylor University; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

University professional staff charged with administering recreational sport programs employ either a conservative or liberal administrative approach when providing oversight for sport clubs. Universities that provide greater support often retain the vast majority of control with regard to policy making, membership, scheduling, and financial management. Comparatively, the liberal model is typically adopted by universities with limited resources, thus providing club officers and members greater autonomy with regard to club operations. As the philosophical administrative approach to overseeing sport clubs varies across institutions, there is a need to explore best practices and the impact of institutional policies and procedures on sport clubs to inform future policy reform. This study, funded by the NIRSA Foundation, was conducted across three universities to gauge perceived barriers to sport club administration effectiveness as viewed by recreational sports professional staff and sport club leaders. Major barriers identified include limited financial resources and facility space, elevated regulations and restrictions, convoluted processes, miscommunication, and inconsistent application of rules. The presenters will also lead a discussion on strategies for policy reform, student leader training, and overall effective administration.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to identify the common sport club administrative approaches that are being used within NIRSA.
  • Be able to describe the predominant institutional barriers impacting the effectiveness of sport club programs.
  • Understand how to develop strategies to address institutional barriers on your campus to enhance the administration of sport club programs.

Coffee Break

10:15 am-10:45 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Professional Panel

10:45 am-11:45 am • Cornwall North & South

Seasoned professionals share their experience and wisdom from years of work with sport clubs.

Themed Roundtable

10:45 am-11:45 am • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.


T-Shirt Exchange

11:45 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Represent your school and clubs by participating in the Sport Club Institute T-Shirt Exchange. All you have to do is bring one—or a few—T-shirts from your various campus recreation events or programs and exchange them with colleagues!


Networking Lunch & Expo

12:15 pm-2:15 pm • Kensington North

Let the conversations begin with lunch at the Networking Lunch & Expo. Attendees and Sport Governing Bodies can enjoy a buffet lunch while networking and viewing Sport Governing Body displays.


Sport Governing Body Panel

2:15 pm-3:15 pm • Cornwall North & South

Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) continue to grow and they’ve made it clear that they’ll be around for the future. What’s the scope of their responsibility in the scheduling of leagues and in the balance of home vs. away games? Why do fees continue to increase? And where is the money going? There’s a need for setting new standards of eligibility in order to create a clear and consistent message across the board. This roundtable is an open forum combined with small table discussion and will feature representatives from SGBs answering these questions as well as any others attendees may have.


Sport Governing Bodies Roundtable

3:30 pm-5:30 pm • Kensington East & West

Clubs around North America are looking for more and more structured leagues and tournaments, and Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are some of the largest providers of these structured leagues. But what are these organizations, what are their goals, and what roles do they play in the future of club sports? This roundtable will provide an opportunity for learning about SGBs and their structures.

Hey, Can I Talk to You for a Second?

8:30 am-9:30 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Daniel Gaytan, Arizona State University; Zachary Gentz, Arizona State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Mental health is at the forefront of conversation today. Emphasis has been placed on how to assist those in crisis. The university setting can be extremely difficult for students as they grow and develop into new people, sometimes thousands of miles from home. How prepared are you for a student in crisis walking into your office and saying, “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?”

Core Competencies: Personal & Professional Qualities, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Human Resources Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of a student experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Effectively serve as a resource for their students and be able to refer them to other resources on campus, if necessary.

From Sport Club Athlete to Student Employee: Leveraging Club Experiences to Create Rockstar Employees

8:30 am-9:30 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Abby Van Note, University of Wisconsin- Madison; Tomer Korabelnikov, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As students are becoming more selective in how they engage on a college campus, it’s becoming more and more important to intentionally recruit student employees. This session will focus on how we can help sport club athletes become successful student employees. This session will include case studies and will be grounded in student development theory.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the shared strengths of sport club officers and student employees.
  • Learn how to incorporate sport club athletes into a student employment model.
  • Learn how to apply student development theory to the student employment experience with a focus on the sport club athlete’s experiences.

Money Changes Things: Determining Equity in Club Allocations

9:45 am-10:45 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Jonathan Elliott, RCRSP, University of Arkansas; Laura Shively, University of Arkansas
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you ever wanted to give your budget allocation process a reboot? Point and tier systems have provided a great foundation for club sports programs, but it’s time for a jolt of innovation and a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and determine equitable budgetary processes without points or tiers. Come learn the formula we use at the University of Arkansas and see if you can take away some tips and tools to renovate your allocation process.

Core Competencies: Business Management

Topic: Financial Management

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to define money equity, diversity, and inclusion in relation to club sports.
  • Learn the difference between determining the cost per club sports athlete versus expenses per club sports athlete.
  • Be able to define what money equity, diversity, and inclusion means and how to apply it to your program.

Toto, I Have A Feeling We’re Not Supervising Anymore: A Student Organization Advisor Toolkit for Success

9:45 am-10:45 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Chad Zimmerman, The University of Texas at Austin; Mario Rios, Texas State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As sport club professionals, we’re different than many of our recreation colleagues. While our counterparts tend to supervise large staffs, sport club directors are often advising students more often than supervising students. Advising student organizations can be a fulfilling and challenging experience involving multiple hats. This session will cover the essentials of serving as an advisor, highlight common challenges, review best practices and resources, and cover important strategies for success. This session is open to anyone, from the first-timer to the seasoned, been-around-the-block student organization advisor. ​​

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key differences between supervising and advising students (and student organizations).
  • Learn two criteria for organizational development.
  • Learn of three personal characteristics that will make you successful in advising student organizations.

Coffee Break

10:45 am-11:15 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Developing a Multidisciplinary Concussion Management Program for Competitive Club Sports

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristin DeMars, California State University, Long Beach; Kimberly Fodran, California State University, Long Beach; Rita Hayes, CRSS, California State University, Long Beach; Rebecca Seguancia, California State University, Long Beach
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

The CSULB Club Sport Concussion Management Program was established in Fall 2016. The CSU Concussion Project developed a needs assessment and published guidelines for developing a concussion management program in the CSU Sports Club Guide in 2015. To respond proactively to these guidelines, a group of varied departments and disciplines was assembled on the CSULB campus. Ultimately, the program was created through the combined efforts of Club Sports, Risk Management, Student Health Services, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Club Sports, in collaboration with Risk Management, identified which sports were most at-risk and which participants needed to be required to partake in the program. Club Sports then secured funding and established an online system to manage data. The director of SHS worked closely with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program faculty to develop a physician-directed program and set up specific clinic hours for post-concussion assessments. The DPT program provided both faculty and students with the opportunity to participate in baseline testing and post-concussion rehabilitation. In the last three years, our program has completed baselines on over 600 club sport athletes and treated 40 concussed athletes. Our multidisciplinary program is an example of a unique collaboration of disciplines commonly found on many college campuses as well as an example of a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary club sport concussion management program.
  • Know the five-step process from education to return-to-play of a concussed club sport athlete.
  • Understand the benefits of post-concussion rehabilitation and be able to provide a case study to demonstrate the application of your program.

All Are Welcome: Creating Inclusive Cultures for Any Club

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

When a club has a toxic culture, its chances of survival are slim. In order to thrive both on and off the field, members from the top down need to feel welcomed, heard, and supported. In this presentation, we will examine both the desired and the disastrous traits of club culture, review a workshop and case study with a club experiencing culture issues, and create a custom workshop agenda to address an issue your club is currently experiencing.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Recruitment & Retention

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify three desirable components of a welcoming club culture.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of available tools and resources to shape club culture.
  • Design an agenda to address current issues within club programs.

Closing Roundtable

12:15 pm-12:45 pm • Kensington East & West

Join us in closing out the 2019 Institute with some Q&A and discussion about next year’s new event, the 2020 NIRSA Intramural & Sport Club Institute.

Check-in & Registration

8:00 am-9:45 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Welcome & Keynote Address

10:00 am-11:15 am • Kensington East & West

Set the tone for the event with an opening welcome address followed by our keynote speaker.


Lunch Bunch

11:30 am-1:30 pm • Kensington North

The Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to network with fellow institute attendees. Lunch will follow the Welcome & Keynote Address and will be served buffet style. The Lunch Bunch will start with a group activity followed by the opportunity to connect with students and professionals at individual tables. On your conference name badge you will notice a sticker. When you walk into the ballroom, that sticker will match up with tables each labeled with the same sticker. A list of topics and questions will be located at each table to facilitate conversation.


Care to Play: Athletic Training for All Levels of Implementation

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA; Elisabeth Henry, University of California-San Diego; Mike Dominguez, University of California-Davis
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

In the world of competitive sports—one with an increased focus on concussion management—competent medical coverage is a growing expectation. This session will be informative and interactive, highlighting benefits, challenges, and resources available for integrating athletic training into your program no matter its size. The focus is on enhancing an existing program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Business Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the benefits and challenges associated with having full-time athletic trainers in your sport club program.
  • Identify alternatives to full-time athletic trainers to accommodate SGB, league, and/or campus requirements and funding sources.
  • Discuss how to build on-campus relationships to optimize existing resources and improve cost effectiveness.

Moving on Up: Achieving Ideal Governance

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Buning, PhD, The University of Queensland; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Sport clubs are a critical provider of sport participation opportunities for communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States as they serve multiple foci of promoting sport, social, economic, and health functions. Similar to international and community sport clubs, American collegiate sport clubs operate in accordance with a sport governing body and provide similar services to their members. However, their regulatory framework is unique as clubs are required to remain in compliance with the policies, regulations, and procedures of their associated university. Across the United States, the majority of collegiate sport clubs are governed by university recreational sport departments whose administrative philosophies range from conservative to liberal. Unfortunately, current governance structures have been identified as a primary obstacle to clubs operating at full capacity, compelling further investigation as to the ideal governance of sport clubs. A study was conducted among 17 experts in the field of collegiate recreation to establish consensus around key issues of governance pertaining to collegiate sport clubs. Major themes include: professional staff responsibilities, department governance, club operations, program constraints, ideal governance, and measures of program success. The presenters will utilize the findings of the study to facilitate dialogue around how collegiate sport club programs can achieve ideal governance.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the responsibilities, operations, and department governance structures used in sport club programs across the industry and apply best practices to your program.
  • Be able to explain the internal and external constraints that impact collegiate sport club programs.
  • Be able to critically assess proposed ideal governance structures for collegiate sport club programs.

Esports: Are They Sports? Why Should We Participate In Them?

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Esports is a fast-growing and fast-moving field in sports and on campuses nationwide. Some schools of thought focus on all the money esports can bring to programs and believe that it’s possible to align esports within the field of campus rec because as rec experts we know best how to handle them. This school of thought says that if we’re not directing the future of esports than who will? It believes that students can show us best how to implement this technology and it insists that we engage with an entire demographic of students who we might otherwise not reach. Another school of thought believes esports go against what we do as rec professionals. During this presentation, we will discuss the different models for esports and how the bottom up philosophy for esports should be the model to implement. We’ll also discuss the impact the gaming community can have on your campus.

Core Competencies: Programming, Facility Management, Planning & Design

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what could happen if esports is embraced as a club sport on your campus.
  • Understand the different models that are currently used to form esports teams across the country as well as the upsides and downsides of each model.
  • Learn how to engage the campus community with your esports team and what can be done to alter the perception of esports and gaming in general on your campus.

Flip This Training: Making Better Use of Club Officer Training Time

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Joe Schaffer, Oregon State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you been told your club officer training is slow, boring, and ineffective? Looking for a new approach to club officer training? During this session, attendees will learn about a “flipped classroom” teaching concept that can be applied to your officer training. This will allow you to remove the boring policy powerpoints and replace them with engaging active learning environments.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to explain what a flipped classroom is and how it can be applied to student trainings.
  • Be able to incorporate online teaching methods into trainings.
  • Be able to identify three active-learning techniques.

Coffee Break

3:45 pm-4:15 pm • Rotunda

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Sport Club Roundtable

4:15 pm-5:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.

Check-in & Registration

7:00 am-8:00 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Lightning Talks

8:00 am-9:00 am • Cornwall North & South
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

I Got 99 Problems and Most of Them Are Clubs

8:00 am-9:00 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Expensive dues, travel violations, hazing, lost equipment, late paperwork, and missed meetings are just a few of the issues our club officers are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Now more than ever it’s vital for club leaders to use effective decision making to problem solve. This presentation will explore decision making and the various ways it takes shape within a club program to effectively develop leaders among club officers.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the role decision making plays in developing student club officers.
  • Learn how to apply aspects of restorative justice to relevant club issues.
  • Examine current club programs for areas that allow for student officer leadership growth.

They’re More Than Athletes

9:15 am-10:15 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristen Sullivan, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus; Michael Potter, Penn State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

This program is designed to highlight how club sports programs can use both on- and off-campus resources to enhance the leadership abilities and development of students who participate in club sports. Information will be given about successful practices and there will be inspiring discussions of how these practices can be beneficial to your program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify ways to diversify the learning opportunities of club sport participants through deliberate on-campus and off-campus partnerships.
  • Learn how to conduct additional trainings for club sport officers in an effort to improve their leadership abilities.

Perceived Institutional Barriers to Sport Club Effectiveness

9:15 am-10:15 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Rathjens, RCRSP, The Ohio State University; Patrick Marsh, Baylor University; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

University professional staff charged with administering recreational sport programs employ either a conservative or liberal administrative approach when providing oversight for sport clubs. Universities that provide greater support often retain the vast majority of control with regard to policy making, membership, scheduling, and financial management. Comparatively, the liberal model is typically adopted by universities with limited resources, thus providing club officers and members greater autonomy with regard to club operations. As the philosophical administrative approach to overseeing sport clubs varies across institutions, there is a need to explore best practices and the impact of institutional policies and procedures on sport clubs to inform future policy reform. This study, funded by the NIRSA Foundation, was conducted across three universities to gauge perceived barriers to sport club administration effectiveness as viewed by recreational sports professional staff and sport club leaders. Major barriers identified include limited financial resources and facility space, elevated regulations and restrictions, convoluted processes, miscommunication, and inconsistent application of rules. The presenters will also lead a discussion on strategies for policy reform, student leader training, and overall effective administration.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to identify the common sport club administrative approaches that are being used within NIRSA.
  • Be able to describe the predominant institutional barriers impacting the effectiveness of sport club programs.
  • Understand how to develop strategies to address institutional barriers on your campus to enhance the administration of sport club programs.

Coffee Break

10:15 am-10:45 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Professional Panel

10:45 am-11:45 am • Cornwall North & South

Seasoned professionals share their experience and wisdom from years of work with sport clubs.

Themed Roundtable

10:45 am-11:45 am • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.


T-Shirt Exchange

11:45 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Represent your school and clubs by participating in the Sport Club Institute T-Shirt Exchange. All you have to do is bring one—or a few—T-shirts from your various campus recreation events or programs and exchange them with colleagues!


Networking Lunch & Expo

12:15 pm-2:15 pm • Kensington North

Let the conversations begin with lunch at the Networking Lunch & Expo. Attendees and Sport Governing Bodies can enjoy a buffet lunch while networking and viewing Sport Governing Body displays.


Sport Governing Body Panel

2:15 pm-3:15 pm • Cornwall North & South

Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) continue to grow and they’ve made it clear that they’ll be around for the future. What’s the scope of their responsibility in the scheduling of leagues and in the balance of home vs. away games? Why do fees continue to increase? And where is the money going? There’s a need for setting new standards of eligibility in order to create a clear and consistent message across the board. This roundtable is an open forum combined with small table discussion and will feature representatives from SGBs answering these questions as well as any others attendees may have.


Sport Governing Bodies Roundtable

3:30 pm-5:30 pm • Kensington East & West

Clubs around North America are looking for more and more structured leagues and tournaments, and Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are some of the largest providers of these structured leagues. But what are these organizations, what are their goals, and what roles do they play in the future of club sports? This roundtable will provide an opportunity for learning about SGBs and their structures.

Hey, Can I Talk to You for a Second?

8:30 am-9:30 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Daniel Gaytan, Arizona State University; Zachary Gentz, Arizona State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Mental health is at the forefront of conversation today. Emphasis has been placed on how to assist those in crisis. The university setting can be extremely difficult for students as they grow and develop into new people, sometimes thousands of miles from home. How prepared are you for a student in crisis walking into your office and saying, “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?”

Core Competencies: Personal & Professional Qualities, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Human Resources Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of a student experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Effectively serve as a resource for their students and be able to refer them to other resources on campus, if necessary.

From Sport Club Athlete to Student Employee: Leveraging Club Experiences to Create Rockstar Employees

8:30 am-9:30 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Abby Van Note, University of Wisconsin- Madison; Tomer Korabelnikov, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As students are becoming more selective in how they engage on a college campus, it’s becoming more and more important to intentionally recruit student employees. This session will focus on how we can help sport club athletes become successful student employees. This session will include case studies and will be grounded in student development theory.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the shared strengths of sport club officers and student employees.
  • Learn how to incorporate sport club athletes into a student employment model.
  • Learn how to apply student development theory to the student employment experience with a focus on the sport club athlete’s experiences.

Money Changes Things: Determining Equity in Club Allocations

9:45 am-10:45 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Jonathan Elliott, RCRSP, University of Arkansas; Laura Shively, University of Arkansas
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you ever wanted to give your budget allocation process a reboot? Point and tier systems have provided a great foundation for club sports programs, but it’s time for a jolt of innovation and a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and determine equitable budgetary processes without points or tiers. Come learn the formula we use at the University of Arkansas and see if you can take away some tips and tools to renovate your allocation process.

Core Competencies: Business Management

Topic: Financial Management

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to define money equity, diversity, and inclusion in relation to club sports.
  • Learn the difference between determining the cost per club sports athlete versus expenses per club sports athlete.
  • Be able to define what money equity, diversity, and inclusion means and how to apply it to your program.

Toto, I Have A Feeling We’re Not Supervising Anymore: A Student Organization Advisor Toolkit for Success

9:45 am-10:45 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Chad Zimmerman, The University of Texas at Austin; Mario Rios, Texas State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As sport club professionals, we’re different than many of our recreation colleagues. While our counterparts tend to supervise large staffs, sport club directors are often advising students more often than supervising students. Advising student organizations can be a fulfilling and challenging experience involving multiple hats. This session will cover the essentials of serving as an advisor, highlight common challenges, review best practices and resources, and cover important strategies for success. This session is open to anyone, from the first-timer to the seasoned, been-around-the-block student organization advisor. ​​

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key differences between supervising and advising students (and student organizations).
  • Learn two criteria for organizational development.
  • Learn of three personal characteristics that will make you successful in advising student organizations.

Coffee Break

10:45 am-11:15 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Developing a Multidisciplinary Concussion Management Program for Competitive Club Sports

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristin DeMars, California State University, Long Beach; Kimberly Fodran, California State University, Long Beach; Rita Hayes, CRSS, California State University, Long Beach; Rebecca Seguancia, California State University, Long Beach
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

The CSULB Club Sport Concussion Management Program was established in Fall 2016. The CSU Concussion Project developed a needs assessment and published guidelines for developing a concussion management program in the CSU Sports Club Guide in 2015. To respond proactively to these guidelines, a group of varied departments and disciplines was assembled on the CSULB campus. Ultimately, the program was created through the combined efforts of Club Sports, Risk Management, Student Health Services, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Club Sports, in collaboration with Risk Management, identified which sports were most at-risk and which participants needed to be required to partake in the program. Club Sports then secured funding and established an online system to manage data. The director of SHS worked closely with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program faculty to develop a physician-directed program and set up specific clinic hours for post-concussion assessments. The DPT program provided both faculty and students with the opportunity to participate in baseline testing and post-concussion rehabilitation. In the last three years, our program has completed baselines on over 600 club sport athletes and treated 40 concussed athletes. Our multidisciplinary program is an example of a unique collaboration of disciplines commonly found on many college campuses as well as an example of a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary club sport concussion management program.
  • Know the five-step process from education to return-to-play of a concussed club sport athlete.
  • Understand the benefits of post-concussion rehabilitation and be able to provide a case study to demonstrate the application of your program.

All Are Welcome: Creating Inclusive Cultures for Any Club

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

When a club has a toxic culture, its chances of survival are slim. In order to thrive both on and off the field, members from the top down need to feel welcomed, heard, and supported. In this presentation, we will examine both the desired and the disastrous traits of club culture, review a workshop and case study with a club experiencing culture issues, and create a custom workshop agenda to address an issue your club is currently experiencing.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Recruitment & Retention

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify three desirable components of a welcoming club culture.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of available tools and resources to shape club culture.
  • Design an agenda to address current issues within club programs.

Closing Roundtable

12:15 pm-12:45 pm • Kensington East & West

Join us in closing out the 2019 Institute with some Q&A and discussion about next year’s new event, the 2020 NIRSA Intramural & Sport Club Institute.

Check-in & Registration

8:00 am-9:45 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA education desk to register or check-in. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials, as well as check-in for any volunteer assignments.


Welcome & Keynote

10:00 am-11:15 am • Kensington East & West

Set the tone for the event with an opening welcome followed by keynote speaker.


Lunch Bunch

11:30 am-1:30 pm • Kensington North

The Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to network with fellow institute attendees. Lunch will follow the Welcome & Keynote address and will be served buffet style. The Lunch Bunch will start with a group activity followed by the opportunity to connect with students and professionals at tables. On your conference name badge you will notice a sticker that when you walk into the ballroom will match up with tables labeled with the same stickers. A list of conversation topics and questions will be located at each table.


Care to Play: Athletic Training for all levels of Implementation

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith; Elisabeth Henry; Mike Dominguez
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

In the world of competitive sports and increased focus on concussion management, medical coverage is a rising standard. This will be an informative and interactive session that will highlight benefits, challenges, and resources to integrating athletic training into your program no matter the size or enhancing an existing program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Business Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the benefits and challenges associated with having full-time athletic trainers in your Sports Clubs/Club Sports program.
  • Identify alternatives to having full-time athletic trainers in order to accommodate NGB, league, and/or campus requirements and funding sources to support an athletic training program or enhance their existing one.
  • Discuss methods of building on-campus relationships to optimize existing resources and improve cost effectiveness.

Moving on Up: Achieving Ideal Governance

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Buning, PhD; Andrew Czekanski; Leeann Lower, PhD
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Sport clubs are a critical provider of sport participation opportunities for communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States (Warner, Dixon, & Chalip, 2012; Wicker & Breuer, 2013), as they serve multiple foci of promoting sport, social, economic, and health functions (e.g., Doherty, Misener, & Cuskelly, 2014). Similar to international and community sport clubs, American collegiate sport clubs operate in accordance with a sport governing body and provide similar services to their members (Breuer, Feiler, Llopis-Goig, & Elmose-Østerlund, 2017; Sports Clubs, 2017). However, their regulatory framework is unique as clubs are required to remain in compliance with the policies, regulations, and procedures of their associated university (Czekanski & Lower, 2018). Across the United States, the majority of collegiate sport clubs are governed by university recreational sport departments (78%; NIRSA, 2010), whose administrative philosophies range from conservative to liberal (Mull, Bayless, & Jamieson, 2005). Unfortunately, current governance structures have been identified as a primary obstacle to clubs operating at full capacity (Lower & Czekanski, 2017), compelling further investigation as to the ideal governance of sport clubs. A study was conducted among 17 experts in the field of collegiate recreation to establish consensus around key issues of governance pertaining to collegiate sport clubs. Major themes include: professional staff responsibilities, department governance, club operations, program constraints, ideal governance, and measures of program success. The presenters will utilize the findings of the study to facilitate dialogue around how collegiate sport club programs can achieve ideal governance.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participant will be able to describe the responsibilities, operations, and department governance structures used in sport club programs across the industry and apply best practices to their program.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to explain the internal and external constraints that impact collegiate sport club programs.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to critically assess proposed ideal governance structures for collegiate sport club programs.

Esports: Is it a sport. Why should we do this?

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Esports is a fast-growing and fast-moving field in Sports and on campuses nationwide. Some schools of thought are: All the money it can bring to their program, we can direct this because we know best, and this goes against what we do. Other schools of thought are: If not us then who, the students can show us best how to implement this program, why shouldn’t we engage this demographic that we might otherwise not reach. During this presentation, we will discuss the different models for Esports and how the bottom up philosophy to Esports should be the model to implement as well as the impact the gaming community can have on your campus.

Core Competencies: Programming, Facility Management, Planning & Design

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe what could happen if Esports is embraced as a club sport at their campus and the opportunities that could come with it.
  • Understand the different models that are currently utilized in forming esports teams across the country as well as the upside and downside of each model
  • Discover how they can engage the campus community with your Esports team and what we can do to alter the perception of Esports and gaming in general amongst our colleagues.

Flip This Training: Making better use of club officer training time

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Joe Schaffer
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you been told your club officer training is slow, boring, and ineffective? Looking for a new approach to club officer training? During this session, attendees will learn about a “flipped classroom” teaching concept that can be applied to your officer training. This will allow you to remove the boring policy powerpoints and replace them with engaging active learning environments.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participant will be able to explain what a flipped classroom is and how it can be applied to student trainings.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to incorporate online teaching methods into trainings.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to identify three active learning techniques.

Coffee Break

3:45 pm-4:15 pm • Rotunda

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Roundtable

4:15 pm-5:15 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Nick Zumbrun

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.

Check-in & Registration

7:00 am-8:00 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA education desk to register or check-in. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials, as well as check-in for any volunteer assignments.


Lightning Talks

8:00 am-9:00 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Nick Zumbrun
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

I got 99 problems and most of them are clubs….

8:00 am-9:00 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Expensive dues, travel violations, hazing, lost equipment, late paperwork and missed meetings are just a few of the issues our club officers are dealing with on a day to day. Now more than ever it is vital for club leaders to use effective decision making to problem solve club issues. This presentation will explore decision making and the various ways it takes shape within a club program to effectively develop leaders among club officers.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the role of decision making in student club officers’ development
  • Apply aspects of restorative justice to relevant club issues
  • Examine current club program for areas to implement student officer decision making

They’re More Than Athletes

9:15 am-10:15 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristen Sullivan; Michael Potter
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

This program is designed to highlight ways Club Sports programs can utilize on-and-off-campus resources to enhance the leadership abilities and development of students who participate in club sports. Information will be given about successful practices, inspiring discussions of how this can be beneficial to your program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to identify strategies to diversify learning opportunities of club sport participants through deliberate on-and-off campus partnerships.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to conduct additional trainings for their club sport officers in an effort to improve their leadership abilities.

Perceived Institutional Barriers to Sport Club Effectiveness

9:15 am-10:15 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Rathjens, RCRSP; Patrick Marsh; Andrew Czekanski; Leeann Lower, PhD
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

University professional staff charged with administering recreational sport programs employ either a conservative or liberal administrative approach when providing oversight for sport clubs (Mull et al., 2005). Universities that provide greater support often retain the vast majority of control with regard to policy making, membership, scheduling, and financial management. Comparatively, the liberal model is typically adopted by universities with limited resources, thus providing club officers and members greater autonomy with regard to club operations. As the philosophical administrative approach to overseeing sport clubs varies across institutions, there is a need to explore best practices and the impact of institutional policies and procedures on sport clubs to inform future policy reform. This study, funded by the NIRSA Foundation, was conducted across three universities to gauge perceived barriers to sport club administration effectiveness as viewed by Recreational Sports professional staff and Sport Club leaders. Major barriers identified include limited financial resources and facility space, elevated regulations and restrictions, convoluted processes, miscommunication and inconsistent application of rules. The presenters will also lead discussion on strategies for policy reform, student leader training, and overall effective administration.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the common sport club administrative approaches that are being utilized within NIRSA.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the predominant institutional barriers impacting the effectiveness of Sport Club programs.
  • Upon completion, participants will have developed strategies to address institutional barriers on their campus to enhance the administration of their Sport Club program.

Coffee Break

10:15 am-10:45 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Pro Panel

10:45 am-11:45 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Nick Zumbrun

Seasoned professionals share their experiences and wisdom from years of work with sport clubs.

Themed Roundtable

10:45 am-11:45 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Nick Zumbrun

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.


T-Shirt Exchange

11:45 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Represent your school and clubs by participating in the Sport Club Institute T-Shirt Exchange. All you have to do is bring one—or a few—t-shirts from your various campus recreation events or programs and exchange them with colleagues!


Networking Lunch & Expo

12:15 pm-2:15 pm • Kensington North

Let the conversations begin with lunch at the Networking Social & Expo. Attendees and Sport Governing Bodies can enjoy a buffet lunch while networking and viewing Sport Governing Body displays.


Sport Governing Body Panel

2:15 pm-3:15 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Nick Zumbrun

Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are continuing to grow and have made it clear that they will be around for the future. What is the scope of their responsibility on the scheduling of leagues and the balance home vs. away games? Why do fees continue to increase, and where is the money going? There is a need for setting new standards of eligibility, in order to create a clear and consistent message across the board. This roundtable is an open forum combined with small table discussion—will feature representatives from SGBs answering these questions as well as any others attendees may have.


Sport Governing Bodies Roundtable

3:30 pm-5:30 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Nick Zumbrun

Clubs around North America are looking for more and more structured leagues and tournaments, and Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are some of the largest providers of these structured leagues. But what are these organizations, what are their goals, and what roles do they play in the future of club sports? This roundtable will provide an opportunity for learning about SGBs and their structures.

Hey, can I talk to you for a second?

8:30 am-9:30 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Daniel Gaytan; Zachary Gentz
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Mental health is at the forefront of conversation in today’s society. Emphasis has been placed on how to assist those in a time of crisis. The university setting can be extremely difficult for students as they grow and develop into completely new people, sometimes thousands of miles from home. How prepared would you be if a student in crisis walked into your office and said, “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?”

Core Competencies: Personal & Professional Qualities, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Human Resources Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of a student experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Effectively serve as a resource for their students and be able to refer them to other resources on campus, if necessary.

From Sport Club Athlete to Student Employee: Leveraging Club Experiences to Create Rockstar Employees

8:30 am-9:30 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Abby Van Note
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As students are becoming more selective of how they engage on a college campus – it is becoming more and more important to intentionally recruit student employees. This session will focus on how we can more effectively tap into sport club athletes and transition them into successful student employees. This session will include case studies and be grounded in student development theory.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Attendees will be identify shared strengths of sport club officers and student employees
  • Attendees will develop ways to incorporate sport club athletes into a student employment model.
  • Attendees will apply student development theory to the student employment experience with a focus sport club athlete’s experiences.

Money Changes Things: Determining Equity in Club Allocations

9:45 am-10:45 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Jonathan Elliott, RCRSP; Laura Shively
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you ever wanted to give your budget allocation process a reboot? Point and tier systems have provided a great foundation for club sports programs, but it’s time for a jolt of innovation and a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and determine equitable budgetary processes without points or tiers. Come learn the formula we use at the University of Arkansas and see if you can take away some tips and tools to renovate your allocation process.

Core Competencies: Business Management

Topic: Financial Management

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to definite money EDI in relation to club sports.
  • Upon completion, participants will learn the difference between determining the cost per club sports athlete versus expenses per club sports athlete.
  • Upon completion, participants will define what money EDI means, and how to apply it to their program.

Toto, I Have A Feeling We’re Not Supervising Anymore: A Student Organization Advisor Toolkit for Success

9:45 am-10:45 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Chad Zimmerman; Mario Rios
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As Sport Club professionals, we’re different than many of our Recreation colleagues. While our counterparts tend to supervise large staffs, Sport Club directors are often advising students more often than supervising students. Advising student organizations can be a fulfilling and challenging experience involving multiple hats. This session will cover the essentials of serving as an advisor, highlight common challenges, review best practices and resources, and important strategies for success. This session is open to anyone, from the first-timer to the seasoned, been-around-the-block student organization advisor. ​​

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key differences between supervising students and advising students (and their organizations)
  • Describe two criteria for organizational development
  • Attribute three personal characteristics that will make them successful in advising student organizations

Coffee Break

10:45 am-11:15 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Development of a Multidisciplinary Concussion Management Program for Competitive Club Sports

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristin DeMars; Kimberly Fodran; Rita Hayes, CRSS; Rebecca Seguancia
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

The CSULB Club Sport Concussion Management Program was established in the fall of 2016. The CSU Concussion Project developed a needs assessment and published guidelines for development of a concussion management program in the CSU Sports Club Guide in 2015. In an effort to be proactive in responding to these guidelines a group of varied departments and disciplines was assembled on the CSULB campus. Ultimately, the program was created through the combined efforts of Club Sports, Risk Management, Student Health Services and the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Club Sports in collaboration with Risk Management identified the most at-risk sports that would be required to participate in the program. Club Sports secured funding and established an online system to manage data. The director of SHS worked closely with the DPT faculty to develop a physician-directed program and set up specific clinic hours for post-concussion assessments. The DPT program provided both faculty and students to participate in baseline testing and post-concussion rehabilitation. In the last 3 years, our program has completed baselines on over 600 club sport athletes and treated 40 concussed athletes. Our multidisciplinary program provides an example of a unique collaboration of disciplines available on many college campuses and an example of a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe development and implementation of a multidisciplinary club sport concussion management program
  • Describe 5 step process from education to return to play of concussed club sport athletes.
  • Discuss benefits of post-concussion rehabilitation and provide a case study to demonstrate application of program

All are Welcome: Creating inclusive cultures for any club

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

When a club has a toxic culture, their chances of survival are slim. In order to thrive on and off the field, members from the top down need to feel welcomed, heard and supported. In this presentation we will examine both desired and disastrous traits of club culture, review a workshop and case study with a club experiencing culture issues, and create a custom workshop agenda to address an issue your club is currently experiencing.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Recruitment & Retention

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify three desired components for a welcoming club culture
  • Demonstrate understanding of various tools and resources available to shape club culture
  • Design an agenda to address current issue within club program

Closing Roundtable

12:15 pm-12:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Nick Zumbrun

Join us in closing out the 2019 institute with some Q&A and discussion about next year’s new event, the 2020 NIRSA Intramural & Sport Club Institute.

Check-in & Registration

8:00 am-9:45 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA education desk to register or check-in. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials, as well as check-in for any volunteer assignments.


Welcome & Keynote

10:00 am-11:15 am • Kensington East & West

Set the tone for the event with an opening welcome followed by keynote speaker.


Lunch Bunch

11:30 am-1:30 pm • Kensington North

The Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to network with fellow institute attendees. Lunch will follow the Welcome & Keynote address and will be served buffet style. The Lunch Bunch will start with a group activity followed by the opportunity to connect with students and professionals at tables. On your conference name badge you will notice a sticker that when you walk into the ballroom will match up with tables labeled with the same stickers. A list of conversation topics and questions will be located at each table.


Care to Play: Athletic Training for all levels of Implementation

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA; Elisabeth Henry, University of California-San Diego; Mike Dominguez, University of California-Davis
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

In the world of competitive sports and increased focus on concussion management, medical coverage is a rising standard. This will be an informative and interactive session that will highlight benefits, challenges, and resources to integrating athletic training into your program no matter the size or enhancing an existing program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Business Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the benefits and challenges associated with having full-time athletic trainers in your Sports Clubs/Club Sports program.
  • Identify alternatives to having full-time athletic trainers in order to accommodate NGB, league, and/or campus requirements and funding sources to support an athletic training program or enhance their existing one.
  • Discuss methods of building on-campus relationships to optimize existing resources and improve cost effectiveness.

Moving on Up: Achieving Ideal Governance

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Buning, PhD, The University of Queensland; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Sport clubs are a critical provider of sport participation opportunities for communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States (Warner, Dixon, & Chalip, 2012; Wicker & Breuer, 2013), as they serve multiple foci of promoting sport, social, economic, and health functions (e.g., Doherty, Misener, & Cuskelly, 2014). Similar to international and community sport clubs, American collegiate sport clubs operate in accordance with a sport governing body and provide similar services to their members (Breuer, Feiler, Llopis-Goig, & Elmose-Østerlund, 2017; Sports Clubs, 2017). However, their regulatory framework is unique as clubs are required to remain in compliance with the policies, regulations, and procedures of their associated university (Czekanski & Lower, 2018). Across the United States, the majority of collegiate sport clubs are governed by university recreational sport departments (78%; NIRSA, 2010), whose administrative philosophies range from conservative to liberal (Mull, Bayless, & Jamieson, 2005). Unfortunately, current governance structures have been identified as a primary obstacle to clubs operating at full capacity (Lower & Czekanski, 2017), compelling further investigation as to the ideal governance of sport clubs. A study was conducted among 17 experts in the field of collegiate recreation to establish consensus around key issues of governance pertaining to collegiate sport clubs. Major themes include: professional staff responsibilities, department governance, club operations, program constraints, ideal governance, and measures of program success. The presenters will utilize the findings of the study to facilitate dialogue around how collegiate sport club programs can achieve ideal governance.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participant will be able to describe the responsibilities, operations, and department governance structures used in sport club programs across the industry and apply best practices to their program.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to explain the internal and external constraints that impact collegiate sport club programs.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to critically assess proposed ideal governance structures for collegiate sport club programs.

Esports: Is it a sport. Why should we do this?

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Esports is a fast-growing and fast-moving field in Sports and on campuses nationwide. Some schools of thought are: All the money it can bring to their program, we can direct this because we know best, and this goes against what we do. Other schools of thought are: If not us then who, the students can show us best how to implement this program, why shouldn’t we engage this demographic that we might otherwise not reach. During this presentation, we will discuss the different models for Esports and how the bottom up philosophy to Esports should be the model to implement as well as the impact the gaming community can have on your campus.

Core Competencies: Programming, Facility Management, Planning & Design

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe what could happen if Esports is embraced as a club sport at their campus and the opportunities that could come with it.
  • Understand the different models that are currently utilized in forming esports teams across the country as well as the upside and downside of each model
  • Discover how they can engage the campus community with your Esports team and what we can do to alter the perception of Esports and gaming in general amongst our colleagues.

Flip This Training: Making better use of club officer training time

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Joe Schaffer, Oregon State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you been told your club officer training is slow, boring, and ineffective? Looking for a new approach to club officer training? During this session, attendees will learn about a “flipped classroom” teaching concept that can be applied to your officer training. This will allow you to remove the boring policy powerpoints and replace them with engaging active learning environments.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participant will be able to explain what a flipped classroom is and how it can be applied to student trainings.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to incorporate online teaching methods into trainings.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to identify three active learning techniques.

Coffee Break

3:45 pm-4:15 pm • Rotunda

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Roundtable

4:15 pm-5:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.

Check-in & Registration

7:00 am-8:00 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA education desk to register or check-in. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials, as well as check-in for any volunteer assignments.


Lightning Talks

8:00 am-9:00 am • Cornwall North & South
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

I got 99 problems and most of them are clubs….

8:00 am-9:00 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Expensive dues, travel violations, hazing, lost equipment, late paperwork and missed meetings are just a few of the issues our club officers are dealing with on a day to day. Now more than ever it is vital for club leaders to use effective decision making to problem solve club issues. This presentation will explore decision making and the various ways it takes shape within a club program to effectively develop leaders among club officers.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the role of decision making in student club officers’ development
  • Apply aspects of restorative justice to relevant club issues
  • Examine current club program for areas to implement student officer decision making

They’re More Than Athletes

9:15 am-10:15 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristen Sullivan, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus; Michael Potter, Penn State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

This program is designed to highlight ways Club Sports programs can utilize on-and-off-campus resources to enhance the leadership abilities and development of students who participate in club sports. Information will be given about successful practices, inspiring discussions of how this can be beneficial to your program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to identify strategies to diversify learning opportunities of club sport participants through deliberate on-and-off campus partnerships.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to conduct additional trainings for their club sport officers in an effort to improve their leadership abilities.

Perceived Institutional Barriers to Sport Club Effectiveness

9:15 am-10:15 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Rathjens, RCRSP, The Ohio State University; Patrick Marsh, Baylor University; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

University professional staff charged with administering recreational sport programs employ either a conservative or liberal administrative approach when providing oversight for sport clubs (Mull et al., 2005). Universities that provide greater support often retain the vast majority of control with regard to policy making, membership, scheduling, and financial management. Comparatively, the liberal model is typically adopted by universities with limited resources, thus providing club officers and members greater autonomy with regard to club operations. As the philosophical administrative approach to overseeing sport clubs varies across institutions, there is a need to explore best practices and the impact of institutional policies and procedures on sport clubs to inform future policy reform. This study, funded by the NIRSA Foundation, was conducted across three universities to gauge perceived barriers to sport club administration effectiveness as viewed by Recreational Sports professional staff and Sport Club leaders. Major barriers identified include limited financial resources and facility space, elevated regulations and restrictions, convoluted processes, miscommunication and inconsistent application of rules. The presenters will also lead discussion on strategies for policy reform, student leader training, and overall effective administration.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the common sport club administrative approaches that are being utilized within NIRSA.
  • Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the predominant institutional barriers impacting the effectiveness of Sport Club programs.
  • Upon completion, participants will have developed strategies to address institutional barriers on their campus to enhance the administration of their Sport Club program.

Coffee Break

10:15 am-10:45 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Pro Panel

10:45 am-11:45 am • Cornwall North & South

Seasoned professionals share their experiences and wisdom from years of work with sport clubs.

Themed Roundtable

10:45 am-11:45 am • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.


T-Shirt Exchange

11:45 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Represent your school and clubs by participating in the Sport Club Institute T-Shirt Exchange. All you have to do is bring one—or a few—t-shirts from your various campus recreation events or programs and exchange them with colleagues!


Networking Lunch & Expo

12:15 pm-2:15 pm • Kensington North

Let the conversations begin with lunch at the Networking Social & Expo. Attendees and Sport Governing Bodies can enjoy a buffet lunch while networking and viewing Sport Governing Body displays.


Sport Governing Body Panel

2:15 pm-3:15 pm • Cornwall North & South

Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are continuing to grow and have made it clear that they will be around for the future. What is the scope of their responsibility on the scheduling of leagues and the balance home vs. away games? Why do fees continue to increase, and where is the money going? There is a need for setting new standards of eligibility, in order to create a clear and consistent message across the board. This roundtable is an open forum combined with small table discussion—will feature representatives from SGBs answering these questions as well as any others attendees may have.


Sport Governing Bodies Roundtable

3:30 pm-5:30 pm • Kensington East & West

Clubs around North America are looking for more and more structured leagues and tournaments, and Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are some of the largest providers of these structured leagues. But what are these organizations, what are their goals, and what roles do they play in the future of club sports? This roundtable will provide an opportunity for learning about SGBs and their structures.

Hey, can I talk to you for a second?

8:30 am-9:30 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Daniel Gaytan, Arizona State University; Zachary Gentz, Arizona State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Mental health is at the forefront of conversation in today’s society. Emphasis has been placed on how to assist those in a time of crisis. The university setting can be extremely difficult for students as they grow and develop into completely new people, sometimes thousands of miles from home. How prepared would you be if a student in crisis walked into your office and said, “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?”

Core Competencies: Personal & Professional Qualities, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Human Resources Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of a student experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Effectively serve as a resource for their students and be able to refer them to other resources on campus, if necessary.

From Sport Club Athlete to Student Employee: Leveraging Club Experiences to Create Rockstar Employees

8:30 am-9:30 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Abby Van Note, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As students are becoming more selective of how they engage on a college campus – it is becoming more and more important to intentionally recruit student employees. This session will focus on how we can more effectively tap into sport club athletes and transition them into successful student employees. This session will include case studies and be grounded in student development theory.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Attendees will be identify shared strengths of sport club officers and student employees
  • Attendees will develop ways to incorporate sport club athletes into a student employment model.
  • Attendees will apply student development theory to the student employment experience with a focus sport club athlete’s experiences.

Money Changes Things: Determining Equity in Club Allocations

9:45 am-10:45 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Jonathan Elliott, RCRSP, University of Arkansas; Laura Shively, University of Arkansas
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you ever wanted to give your budget allocation process a reboot? Point and tier systems have provided a great foundation for club sports programs, but it’s time for a jolt of innovation and a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and determine equitable budgetary processes without points or tiers. Come learn the formula we use at the University of Arkansas and see if you can take away some tips and tools to renovate your allocation process.

Core Competencies: Business Management

Topic: Financial Management

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participants will be able to define money EDI in relation to club sports.
  • Upon completion, participants will learn the difference between determining the cost per club sports athlete versus expenses per club sports athlete.
  • Upon completion, participants will define what money EDI means, and how to apply it to their program.

Toto, I Have A Feeling We’re Not Supervising Anymore: A Student Organization Advisor Toolkit for Success

9:45 am-10:45 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Chad Zimmerman, The University of Texas at Austin; Mario Rios, Texas State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As Sport Club professionals, we’re different than many of our Recreation colleagues. While our counterparts tend to supervise large staffs, Sport Club directors are often advising students more often than supervising students. Advising student organizations can be a fulfilling and challenging experience involving multiple hats. This session will cover the essentials of serving as an advisor, highlight common challenges, review best practices and resources, and important strategies for success. This session is open to anyone, from the first-timer to the seasoned, been-around-the-block student organization advisor. ​​

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key differences between supervising students and advising students (and their organizations)
  • Describe two criteria for organizational development
  • Attribute three personal characteristics that will make them successful in advising student organizations

Coffee Break

10:45 am-11:15 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Development of a Multidisciplinary Concussion Management Program for Competitive Club Sports

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristin DeMars, California State University, Long Beach; Kimberly Fodran, California State University, Long Beach; Rita Hayes, CRSS, California State University, Long Beach; Rebecca Seguancia, California State University, Long Beach
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

The CSULB Club Sport Concussion Management Program was established in the fall of 2016. The CSU Concussion Project developed a needs assessment and published guidelines for development of a concussion management program in the CSU Sports Club Guide in 2015. In an effort to be proactive in responding to these guidelines a group of varied departments and disciplines was assembled on the CSULB campus. Ultimately, the program was created through the combined efforts of Club Sports, Risk Management, Student Health Services and the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Club Sports in collaboration with Risk Management identified the most at-risk sports that would be required to participate in the program. Club Sports secured funding and established an online system to manage data. The director of SHS worked closely with the DPT faculty to develop a physician-directed program and set up specific clinic hours for post-concussion assessments. The DPT program provided both faculty and students to participate in baseline testing and post-concussion rehabilitation. In the last 3 years, our program has completed baselines on over 600 club sport athletes and treated 40 concussed athletes. Our multidisciplinary program provides an example of a unique collaboration of disciplines available on many college campuses and an example of a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe development and implementation of a multidisciplinary club sport concussion management program
  • Describe 5 step process from education to return to play of concussed club sport athletes.
  • Discuss benefits of post-concussion rehabilitation and provide a case study to demonstrate application of program

All are Welcome: Creating inclusive cultures for any club

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

When a club has a toxic culture, their chances of survival are slim. In order to thrive on and off the field, members from the top down need to feel welcomed, heard and supported. In this presentation we will examine both desired and disastrous traits of club culture, review a workshop and case study with a club experiencing culture issues, and create a custom workshop agenda to address an issue your club is currently experiencing.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Recruitment & Retention

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify three desired components for a welcoming club culture
  • Demonstrate understanding of various tools and resources available to shape club culture
  • Design an agenda to address current issue within club program

Closing Roundtable

12:15 pm-12:45 pm • Kensington East & West

Join us in closing out the 2019 institute with some Q&A and discussion about next year’s new event, the 2020 NIRSA Intramural & Sport Club Institute.

Check-in & Registration

8:00 am-9:45 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Welcome & Keynote Address

10:00 am-11:15 am • Kensington East & West

Set the tone for the event with an opening welcome address followed by our keynote speaker.


Lunch Bunch

11:30 am-1:30 pm • Kensington North

The Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to network with fellow institute attendees. Lunch will follow the Welcome & Keynote Address and will be served buffet style. The Lunch Bunch will start with a group activity followed by the opportunity to connect with students and professionals at individual tables. On your conference name badge you will notice a sticker. When you walk into the ballroom, that sticker will match up with tables each labeled with the same sticker. A list of topics and questions will be located at each table to facilitate conversation.


Care to Play: Athletic Training for All Levels of Implementation

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA; Elisabeth Henry, University of California-San Diego; Mike Dominguez, University of California-Davis
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

In the world of competitive sports—one with an increased focus on concussion management—competent medical coverage is a growing expectation. This session will be informative and interactive, highlighting benefits, challenges, and resources available for integrating athletic training into your program no matter its size. The focus is on enhancing an existing program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Business Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn the benefits and challenges associated with having full-time athletic trainers in your sport club program.
  • Identify alternatives to full-time athletic trainers to accommodate SGB, league, and/or campus requirements and funding sources.
  • Discuss how to build on-campus relationships to optimize existing resources and improve cost effectiveness.

Moving on Up: Achieving Ideal Governance

1:30 pm-2:30 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Buning, PhD, The University of Queensland; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Sport clubs are a critical provider of sport participation opportunities for communities in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States as they serve multiple foci of promoting sport, social, economic, and health functions. Similar to international and community sport clubs, American collegiate sport clubs operate in accordance with a sport governing body and provide similar services to their members. However, their regulatory framework is unique as clubs are required to remain in compliance with the policies, regulations, and procedures of their associated university. Across the United States, the majority of collegiate sport clubs are governed by university recreational sport departments whose administrative philosophies range from conservative to liberal. Unfortunately, current governance structures have been identified as a primary obstacle to clubs operating at full capacity, compelling further investigation as to the ideal governance of sport clubs. A study was conducted among 17 experts in the field of collegiate recreation to establish consensus around key issues of governance pertaining to collegiate sport clubs. Major themes include: professional staff responsibilities, department governance, club operations, program constraints, ideal governance, and measures of program success. The presenters will utilize the findings of the study to facilitate dialogue around how collegiate sport club programs can achieve ideal governance.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the responsibilities, operations, and department governance structures used in sport club programs across the industry and apply best practices to your program.
  • Be able to explain the internal and external constraints that impact collegiate sport club programs.
  • Be able to critically assess proposed ideal governance structures for collegiate sport club programs.

Esports: Are They Sports? Why Should We Participate In Them?

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Brian Smith, UCLA
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Esports is a fast-growing and fast-moving field in sports and on campuses nationwide. Some schools of thought focus on all the money esports can bring to programs and believe that it’s possible to align esports within the field of campus rec because as rec experts we know best how to handle them. This school of thought says that if we’re not directing the future of esports than who will? It believes that students can show us best how to implement this technology and it insists that we engage with an entire demographic of students who we might otherwise not reach. Another school of thought believes esports go against what we do as rec professionals. During this presentation, we will discuss the different models for esports and how the bottom up philosophy for esports should be the model to implement. We’ll also discuss the impact the gaming community can have on your campus.

Core Competencies: Programming, Facility Management, Planning & Design

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand what could happen if esports is embraced as a club sport on your campus.
  • Understand the different models that are currently used to form esports teams across the country as well as the upsides and downsides of each model.
  • Learn how to engage the campus community with your esports team and what can be done to alter the perception of esports and gaming in general on your campus.

Flip This Training: Making Better Use of Club Officer Training Time

2:45 pm-3:45 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Joe Schaffer, Oregon State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you been told your club officer training is slow, boring, and ineffective? Looking for a new approach to club officer training? During this session, attendees will learn about a “flipped classroom” teaching concept that can be applied to your officer training. This will allow you to remove the boring policy powerpoints and replace them with engaging active learning environments.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to explain what a flipped classroom is and how it can be applied to student trainings.
  • Be able to incorporate online teaching methods into trainings.
  • Be able to identify three active-learning techniques.

Coffee Break

3:45 pm-4:15 pm • Rotunda

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Sport Club Roundtable

4:15 pm-5:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.

Check-in & Registration

7:00 am-8:00 am • Foyer

Please stop by the NIRSA Education Desk to check-in or to register onsite. This is where you’ll pick-up your badge and attendee materials. It’s also where volunteers check-in for their various assignments.


Lightning Talks

8:00 am-9:00 am • Cornwall North & South
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

I Got 99 Problems and Most of Them Are Clubs

8:00 am-9:00 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Expensive dues, travel violations, hazing, lost equipment, late paperwork, and missed meetings are just a few of the issues our club officers are dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Now more than ever it’s vital for club leaders to use effective decision making to problem solve. This presentation will explore decision making and the various ways it takes shape within a club program to effectively develop leaders among club officers.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the role decision making plays in developing student club officers.
  • Learn how to apply aspects of restorative justice to relevant club issues.
  • Examine current club programs for areas that allow for student officer leadership growth.

They’re More Than Athletes

9:15 am-10:15 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristen Sullivan, Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus; Michael Potter, Penn State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

This program is designed to highlight how club sports programs can use both on- and off-campus resources to enhance the leadership abilities and development of students who participate in club sports. Information will be given about successful practices and there will be inspiring discussions of how these practices can be beneficial to your program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify ways to diversify the learning opportunities of club sport participants through deliberate on-campus and off-campus partnerships.
  • Learn how to conduct additional trainings for club sport officers in an effort to improve their leadership abilities.

Perceived Institutional Barriers to Sport Club Effectiveness

9:15 am-10:15 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Richard Rathjens, RCRSP, The Ohio State University; Patrick Marsh, Baylor University; Andrew Czekanski, Coastal Carolina University; Leeann Lower, PhD, The Ohio State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

University professional staff charged with administering recreational sport programs employ either a conservative or liberal administrative approach when providing oversight for sport clubs. Universities that provide greater support often retain the vast majority of control with regard to policy making, membership, scheduling, and financial management. Comparatively, the liberal model is typically adopted by universities with limited resources, thus providing club officers and members greater autonomy with regard to club operations. As the philosophical administrative approach to overseeing sport clubs varies across institutions, there is a need to explore best practices and the impact of institutional policies and procedures on sport clubs to inform future policy reform. This study, funded by the NIRSA Foundation, was conducted across three universities to gauge perceived barriers to sport club administration effectiveness as viewed by recreational sports professional staff and sport club leaders. Major barriers identified include limited financial resources and facility space, elevated regulations and restrictions, convoluted processes, miscommunication, and inconsistent application of rules. The presenters will also lead a discussion on strategies for policy reform, student leader training, and overall effective administration.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Assessment & Technology

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist)

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to identify the common sport club administrative approaches that are being used within NIRSA.
  • Be able to describe the predominant institutional barriers impacting the effectiveness of sport club programs.
  • Understand how to develop strategies to address institutional barriers on your campus to enhance the administration of sport club programs.

Coffee Break

10:15 am-10:45 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Professional Panel

10:45 am-11:45 am • Cornwall North & South

Seasoned professionals share their experience and wisdom from years of work with sport clubs.

Themed Roundtable

10:45 am-11:45 am • Kensington East & West

Details on this themed roundtable are coming soon.


T-Shirt Exchange

11:45 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West

Represent your school and clubs by participating in the Sport Club Institute T-Shirt Exchange. All you have to do is bring one—or a few—T-shirts from your various campus recreation events or programs and exchange them with colleagues!


Networking Lunch & Expo

12:15 pm-2:15 pm • Kensington North

Let the conversations begin with lunch at the Networking Lunch & Expo. Attendees and Sport Governing Bodies can enjoy a buffet lunch while networking and viewing Sport Governing Body displays.


Sport Governing Body Panel

2:15 pm-3:15 pm • Cornwall North & South

Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) continue to grow and they’ve made it clear that they’ll be around for the future. What’s the scope of their responsibility in the scheduling of leagues and in the balance of home vs. away games? Why do fees continue to increase? And where is the money going? There’s a need for setting new standards of eligibility in order to create a clear and consistent message across the board. This roundtable is an open forum combined with small table discussion and will feature representatives from SGBs answering these questions as well as any others attendees may have.


Sport Governing Bodies Roundtable

3:30 pm-5:30 pm • Kensington East & West

Clubs around North America are looking for more and more structured leagues and tournaments, and Sport Governing Bodies (SGBs) are some of the largest providers of these structured leagues. But what are these organizations, what are their goals, and what roles do they play in the future of club sports? This roundtable will provide an opportunity for learning about SGBs and their structures.

Hey, Can I Talk to You for a Second?

8:30 am-9:30 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Daniel Gaytan, Arizona State University; Zachary Gentz, Arizona State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Mental health is at the forefront of conversation today. Emphasis has been placed on how to assist those in crisis. The university setting can be extremely difficult for students as they grow and develop into new people, sometimes thousands of miles from home. How prepared are you for a student in crisis walking into your office and saying, “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?”

Core Competencies: Personal & Professional Qualities, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Human Resources Management

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of a student experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Effectively serve as a resource for their students and be able to refer them to other resources on campus, if necessary.

From Sport Club Athlete to Student Employee: Leveraging Club Experiences to Create Rockstar Employees

8:30 am-9:30 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Abby Van Note, University of Wisconsin- Madison; Tomer Korabelnikov, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As students are becoming more selective in how they engage on a college campus, it’s becoming more and more important to intentionally recruit student employees. This session will focus on how we can help sport club athletes become successful student employees. This session will include case studies and will be grounded in student development theory.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the shared strengths of sport club officers and student employees.
  • Learn how to incorporate sport club athletes into a student employment model.
  • Learn how to apply student development theory to the student employment experience with a focus on the sport club athlete’s experiences.

Money Changes Things: Determining Equity in Club Allocations

9:45 am-10:45 am • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Jonathan Elliott, RCRSP, University of Arkansas; Laura Shively, University of Arkansas
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

Have you ever wanted to give your budget allocation process a reboot? Point and tier systems have provided a great foundation for club sports programs, but it’s time for a jolt of innovation and a fresh perspective on how to evaluate and determine equitable budgetary processes without points or tiers. Come learn the formula we use at the University of Arkansas and see if you can take away some tips and tools to renovate your allocation process.

Core Competencies: Business Management

Topic: Financial Management

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to define money equity, diversity, and inclusion in relation to club sports.
  • Learn the difference between determining the cost per club sports athlete versus expenses per club sports athlete.
  • Be able to define what money equity, diversity, and inclusion means and how to apply it to your program.

Toto, I Have A Feeling We’re Not Supervising Anymore: A Student Organization Advisor Toolkit for Success

9:45 am-10:45 am • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Chad Zimmerman, The University of Texas at Austin; Mario Rios, Texas State University
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

As sport club professionals, we’re different than many of our recreation colleagues. While our counterparts tend to supervise large staffs, sport club directors are often advising students more often than supervising students. Advising student organizations can be a fulfilling and challenging experience involving multiple hats. This session will cover the essentials of serving as an advisor, highlight common challenges, review best practices and resources, and cover important strategies for success. This session is open to anyone, from the first-timer to the seasoned, been-around-the-block student organization advisor. ​​

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Student Leadership & Development

Target Audience: Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee, Faculty

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify key differences between supervising and advising students (and student organizations).
  • Learn two criteria for organizational development.
  • Learn of three personal characteristics that will make you successful in advising student organizations.

Coffee Break

10:45 am-11:15 am • Kensington North

Take a quick break between sessions to grab a cup of joe!


Developing a Multidisciplinary Concussion Management Program for Competitive Club Sports

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Cornwall North & South
Presented by: Kristin DeMars, California State University, Long Beach; Kimberly Fodran, California State University, Long Beach; Rita Hayes, CRSS, California State University, Long Beach; Rebecca Seguancia, California State University, Long Beach
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

The CSULB Club Sport Concussion Management Program was established in Fall 2016. The CSU Concussion Project developed a needs assessment and published guidelines for developing a concussion management program in the CSU Sports Club Guide in 2015. To respond proactively to these guidelines, a group of varied departments and disciplines was assembled on the CSULB campus. Ultimately, the program was created through the combined efforts of Club Sports, Risk Management, Student Health Services, and the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Club Sports, in collaboration with Risk Management, identified which sports were most at-risk and which participants needed to be required to partake in the program. Club Sports then secured funding and established an online system to manage data. The director of SHS worked closely with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program faculty to develop a physician-directed program and set up specific clinic hours for post-concussion assessments. The DPT program provided both faculty and students with the opportunity to participate in baseline testing and post-concussion rehabilitation. In the last three years, our program has completed baselines on over 600 club sport athletes and treated 40 concussed athletes. Our multidisciplinary program is an example of a unique collaboration of disciplines commonly found on many college campuses as well as an example of a comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation program.

Core Competencies: Programming, Legal Liability & Risk Management, Research & Evaluation

Topic: Safety & Wellness

Target Audience: Division Officer (VP/AVP), Executive & Strategy Function, Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Be able to describe the development and implementation of a multidisciplinary club sport concussion management program.
  • Know the five-step process from education to return-to-play of a concussed club sport athlete.
  • Understand the benefits of post-concussion rehabilitation and be able to provide a case study to demonstrate the application of your program.

All Are Welcome: Creating Inclusive Cultures for Any Club

11:15 am-12:15 pm • Kensington East & West
Presented by: Ashley Lax, University of Wisconsin- Madison
CEUs: .1 NIRSA CEUs

When a club has a toxic culture, its chances of survival are slim. In order to thrive both on and off the field, members from the top down need to feel welcomed, heard, and supported. In this presentation, we will examine both the desired and the disastrous traits of club culture, review a workshop and case study with a club experiencing culture issues, and create a custom workshop agenda to address an issue your club is currently experiencing.

Core Competencies: Programming, Philosophy & Theory, Personal & Professional Qualities

Topic: Recruitment & Retention

Target Audience: Direct Service Function (Specialist), GA, Intern, Student Employee

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify three desirable components of a welcoming club culture.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of available tools and resources to shape club culture.
  • Design an agenda to address current issues within club programs.

Closing Roundtable

12:15 pm-12:45 pm • Kensington East & West

Join us in closing out the 2019 Institute with some Q&A and discussion about next year’s new event, the 2020 NIRSA Intramural & Sport Club Institute.