The unwavering support of the NIRSA Foundation’s corporate partners and corporate contributors is essential to the work of the NIRSA Foundation. Every year, these companies help NIRSA student members attend the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo by providing scholarships.

This year, our corporate partners, Core Health & Fitness, Matrix Fitness, Sports Imports, and Woodway, and our corporate contributor, Life Fitness will provide five student scholarships, demonstrating extraordinary support for our NIRSA family and the future of campus rec through these professional development opportunities.

Woodway gives back to develop future professionals

Eric Weber, Director of Marketing at Woodway, believes cultivating outstanding future professionals and professional relationships is essential.

“Our tagline ‘For the Long Run’ describes Woodway’s belief in building not only quality equipment but also quality relationships,” he says. “Over the years, we’ve seen and met many students through our participation in the NIRSA Annual Conference and regional conferences. By providing scholarships and support we help the college rec industry continue to benefit from the invaluable asset of outstanding professionals.”

Eric adds that Woodway—the industry leader in green technology and sustainability for treadmills—would not be able to fulfill its mission statement if they did not give back and participate in opportunities to help develop talented individuals.

“It is our privilege to work daily with the bright and innovative people who benefitted from the NIRSA Foundation as students and are now part of the Woodway family in their professional careers,” he says.

Core Health & Fitness looks to the future

John Brey, National Education Sales Manager of Core Health & Fitness—which supplies fitness products from StarTrac, StairMaster, Nautilus, and Schwinn and also works with the NIRSA Foundation to provide professional travel stipends to Annual Conference—recognizes that the experiences students gain from the Annual Conference are pivotal not only for their future campus rec careers, but also for their lives  outside of the profession.

“It has been Core Health & Fitness’s pleasure to work with the NIRSA Foundation and provide the student scholarship,” he says. “We know that the future belongs to our student leaders and this provides us with an opportunity to advance someone not only in the fitness arena, but in life, as the experience at this event goes way beyond just this field.”

See related: There’s a new annual stipend opportunity for NIRSA’s Canadian members

Sports Imports is passionate about student development

For Sports Imports, the leading manufacturer of volleyball net systems in the United States, participation in the scholarship program means contributing to student progress even after they leave the rec facility.

“We are proud to be a part of such an important program,” says Cyndie Dunlap Cullinan, CEO of Sports Imports. “Sports Imports is passionate about the sport of volleyball and the growth and development of its players both on and off the court. The NIRSA Foundation student scholarship program accomplishes both.”

Matrix Fitness supports meaningful opportunities

Our corporate partners value the profession’s commitment to student growth and success and the NIRSA Foundation’s mission to provide meaningful opportunities for professional development.

“Matrix Fitness recognizes how important it is to strive to be better,” says Marc Loomer of Matrix Fitness, a company dedicated to offering durable commercial fitness equipment at the lowest total cost of ownership. We appreciate the value of partnering with the NIRSA Foundation to give students access to professional development through scholarships.”

Life Fitness supports healthy communities

Our corporate contributor understands that providing educational opportunities for NIRSA members translates to healthier, more active communities worldwide.

“Our goal at Life Fitness is to get the world moving and inspire people to live healthier lives, and we know that trained professionals, like NIRSA members, are a critical factor in helping keep the world motivated, active, and healthy,” says Tim Moran, National Account Manager-Education Sales of Life Fitness, which offers exercise and recreation equipment under the brands of Life Fitness, Cybex, Hammer Strength, ICG, SCIFIT, and Brunswick. “We’re committed to supporting NIRSA in their quest to support the development of the future leaders that sustain our communities.”

Much love to our corporate partners & contributor!

A HUGE thank you to our corporate partners and contributor for their commitment to expanding educational and scholarly opportunities for NIRSA members! The generous contributions of these companies allow the NIRSA Foundation to further its mission to enhance the effectiveness of collegiate recreational sports by providing NIRSA members meaningful opportunities for scholarship, research, and personal and professional development.

Join the NIRSA Foundation in showing your appreciation in person and stop by their booths at the NIRSA 2018 Expo Hall.

Curious about the NIRSA Foundation’s corporate partnership program or other sponsorship opportunities? Contact Heidi Cleary, Director of Sales and Corporate Relations, for more information.

Apply for a NIRSA Foundation scholarship or stipend today!

Applications for NIRSA Foundation scholarships and stipends are due on Tuesday, October 17. Don’t miss your chance to have your travel expenses covered for NIRSA 2018 or your registration fees covered for one of NIRSA’s many professional development events. Apply today!

NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors

Suzette Smith is currently the Director at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Suzette can be reached at suzette.smith@utsouthwestern.edu. Caroline Dotts is currently the Associate Director- Healthy Lifestyle Programs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Caroline can be reached at caroline.dotts@crc.gatech.edu. Suzette and Caroline currently serve on the NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors.