justin's Blog
NIRSA Conference, Part 2
What an awesome sports event! I wasn’t kidding when I said that I think it gets better every year. It really does. I rolled into Charlotte on Wednesday morning to give myself enough time to get situated before the event really started. There are a few pieces to the NIRSA Conference that we take part in. First is their Opening/General Session. Everyone at the conference (~2,000) gets together for this to listen to their President and Executive Director, along with a few others, speak. The next slate for their board – both professional and student – are presented (they vote on them at the conference), and they invite in a guest speaker.At this session, we (the USTA) also have the opportunity to present some tennis awards to NIRSA institutions and professionals. These awards, the USTA/NIRSA Tennis Ace Awards, date back quite a few years, and have become a staple during their opening session. It’s a great way for us to get in front of their entire membership to talk about and celebrate all that is great about the sport of tennis. This time, though short, is extraordinarily valuable to us – many of these rec sports professionals do not come from tennis backgrounds, nor are they very familiar with the sport. The USTA and NIRSA have very similar goals and we highlight this overlap while framing tennis as a great vehicle for their students to stay active throughout college, as well as how tennis can provide leadership opportunities for their students. One of our board members flew in to speak to their group, and I represented the USTA while distributing the USTA/NIRSA Tennis Ace Awards.
After this general session, there are a ton of independent socials that their association’s members put on. I’ve learned that you can accomplish a LOT of work going to these. It’s really about relationships with individuals that makes things happen, and what better way to start or improve these relationships than by attending these socials. These relationships are crucial to what is accomplished in the sports world on a day-to-day basis, and is most certainly a key factor is securing a sports job for yourself, too.
Fast forward to Thursday, this is beginning of the two day Recreational Sports Exposition. There, we set up a trade booth and mix it up with anyone and everyone who comes by. Every year that I continue to attend this event and exhibit, the more and more rec professionals stop by and the more leads we generate to start new programs. I remember the first show that I went to almost four years ago. I felt like we were “selling” our sport. Now, it’s so enjoyable to see some of the same faces that I met at that conference come by and say, “Hey, Justin! Good to see you again. Our program is doing great!”
The conference also allows for a lot of idea exchanging. While talking to the rec professionals, I’m constantly learning new things about sport clubs and recreational collegiate athletics. It’s also one of the few times where the National Governing Bodies of other sports are all together. I always make a point to walk around and check out what they’re up to, as well. It’s been fun to watch the progression, not only of tennis, but of all sports in the recreational market in college. One of the large contributing factors in this is the increased involvement of NGBs. Not all of the governing organizations are in it for the right reasons. So kudos to those who are trying to grow their sport and support student health and development, and shame on you if you’re trying to make a few bucks.
Enough on the NIRSA Conference. It’s time to start thinking of my largest event of the year: the 2009 USTA National Campus Championship.
Until next time, are you playing TheField?
Justin
Posted: Apr 7, 2009