2020 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference

Delaware State University  |  February 20-22, 2020

Learn about new career opportunities in the field of collegiate recreation through informational sessions and presentations in a supportive learning environment.

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Registration

Click this link to see registration pricing and policies.

The educational and professional opportunities at the ERSL Conference are both broad-based and in-depth — from mock interviews with established collegiate recreation administrators to presentations on the changing landscape of recreational sports careers in our current economy. In 1992, the office of intramural sports at the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale established the first Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference to encourage a strong future of leadership for minority students in the field of collegiate recreation. The goal of the ERSL Conference has ever since been to provide minority students who are interested in careers in collegiate recreation with the tools and connections needed to succeed in this dynamic field.

With educational programming, opportunities for mentorship, and a platform for career networking, this unique conference empowers young minority students with the skills and knowledge that lay the foundation to building meaningful careers in the field of collegiate recreation. The ERSL Conference encourages diversity in our association in an effort to better reflect the populations and demographics that NIRSA members serve.

Keynote Speaker: Coach George Rice, III

Energetic, Unconventional and Engaging, Coach George Rice, III, also known as “Mr. Rebound 4 Success” believes that everyone has been created with at least one gift and that gift alone makes us great.

He believes that by cultivating and maximizing our gift(s), we are able to overcome adversity and become champions in countless fields of human endeavor.

As the CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) and Head Coach of Triple Threat Enterprises, LLC based in Washington, DC, Coach Rice is a triple threat whose message is fueled by his dedication, commitment to and passion for coaching, training, mentoring and empowering young people to surpass their own expectations. With more than 15 years of experience as a basketball coach, educator and mentor, Coach Rice is intense in his commitment, interactive in his delivery and ready to put you in the game.

Presentation Proposals & Topics

This year’s theme is “Stronger Together. Growing Together.”

Presentation proposals should align with NIRSA’s eight core competencies, and the Program Committee has selected the following three competencies to focus on for this upcoming ERSL Conference:

  • Specialized programming—intramural, sport clubs, fitness, etc.—or programming for special populations
  • Effective program development, scheduling, and delivery
  • Trends in recreational sports as well as health and wellness theories and models
  • Professionalism and ethics
  • Student development theories
  • Participation-based philosophical perspectives
  • Standards of practice, issues of equity and diversity, and student affairs issues and theories
  • Problem solving
  • Prioritization
  • Adaptability
  • Networking
  • Analytical skills

Submit a Presentation Proposal

Priority Deadline: Monday, December 2

Regular Deadline: Monday, December 16

Those who submit their proposal by the priority deadline and are accepted will receive priority on their session date and time.

Schedule

Specific scheduling information will be provided closer to the event.

Mock Interviews & Résumé Critiques

NIRSA Awards

Herman Williams Founders Outstanding Service Award

Click here to learn about the award honoring innovative leadership toward the achievement of substantial improvements of minorities in the field of collegiate recreation.

Deadline to apply: January 8, 2020

David Davenport

R. Kevin Marbury, CRSS, PhD
2019 Herman Williams Award recipient

Preconference Activities

Fairfield Inn & Suites Dover by Marriott

655 N Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 | website | map & directions

Attendees can make hotel reservations by calling 302-677-0900 and requesting the NIRSA/DSU Sports Conference group rate. Reservations need to be made no later than Wednesday, January 29, 2020 to confirm the discounted group rate.

NIRSA encourages all Conference attendees to reserve their hotel accommodations within the NIRSA room block. NIRSA relies on strong room block usage to secure ample meeting space, increase negotiation leverage for future institutes, and offset event expenses.

Looking for a roommate? The best way to match with a roommate is to post that you are looking for one in the 2020 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference Connect Community; once registered you’ll be added to the community.

The best airport to fly into is the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). It is about an hour from the airport to the host hotel and university.

Shuttles
Delaware State University is providing some shuttle transportation between the PHL airport and host hotel during the following times:

Wednesday, February 19
Pick-up from PHL to Fairfield Inn, Dover at 6:00pm

Thursday, February 20
Pick-up from PHL to Fairfield Inn, Dover at 2:00pm

Saturday, February 22
Pick-up from Delaware State University to PHL at 1:00pm

Sign-ups need to be placed by Friday, February 7—space is limited so sign-up today!
The deadline has passed.

Hotel & Travel

Fairfield Inn & Suites Dover by Marriott

Rate & Reservations

Rate

Single/Double Room – $110 +tax

Reservations

Attendees can make hotel reservations by calling 302-677-0900 and requesting the NIRSA/DSU Sports Conference group rate. Reservations need to be made no later than Wednesday, January 29, 2020 to confirm the discounted group rate.

NIRSA encourages all Conference attendees to reserve their hotel accommodations within the NIRSA room block. NIRSA relies on strong room block usage to secure ample meeting space, increase negotiation leverage for future institutes, and offset event expenses.

Looking for a roommate? The best way to match with a roommate is to post that you are looking for one in the 2020 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference Connect Community; once registered you’ll be added to the community.

The best airport to fly into is the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). It is about an hour from the airport to the host hotel and university.

Shuttles

Delaware State University is providing some shuttle transportation between the PHL airport and host hotel during the following times:

Wednesday, February 19

Pick-up from PHL to Fairfield Inn, Dover at 6:00pm

Thursday, February 20

Pick-up from PHL to Fairfield Inn, Dover at 2:00pm

Saturday, February 22

Pick-up from Delaware State University to PHL at 1:00pm

Sign-ups need to be placed by Friday, February 7—space is limited so sign-up today!

Registration

Click this link to see registration pricing and policies.

Engage

Volunteer

NIRSA Strategic Value: Service

With Service as one of our association’s strategic values, the 2020 ERSL Conference presents its attendees with volunteer opportunities in order to serve during the conference. Session monitors and registration managers are the two volunteer positions that this conference offers over its three days in Florida. Through this act of service, volunteers will be able to interact and connect with colleagues, get involved in very important capacities, and assist in the overall operation and success of the conference.

Please contact Corbin Ross if you are interested in volunteering during the 2020 ERSL Conference, or for more details.

Special thanks to the 2020 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Committee

  • Candice Douglas, ERSLC Co-Chair, Western Kentucky University
  • Kevin Martin, ERSLC Co-Chair, University of California-Riverside

  • Charles Judkins, Programming & Volunteers Chair
  • Corbin Ross, Programming & Volunteers, UCLA

  • Anja Shelton, Socials & Catering Chair, Austin Peay State University

  • Trevon Walker, Socials & Catering, Texas State University

  • Deja’Nay Gilliam, Hospitality & HBCU Engagement, University of California-Davis

  • Chrystina Wyatt, Marketing & PR

  • Jordin Williams, Host Committee Chair, Delaware State University   

Thanks to our sponsors