National Intramural Recreational Sports Association

The National Intramural Recreational Sports Association is the leading resource for professional and student development, education, and research in collegiate recreational sports. The NIRSA was formed in 1950 by Dr. William Wasson. He convened a meeting of 22 African American men and women from several Historically Black Colleges and Universities at Dillard University, which is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Today the NIRSA now includes nearing 4,000 professional students and associate members throughout the United States, Canada, and other nations worldwide. The organization serves millions of students who regularly partake in recreational sports programs on a number of college campuses. The National Intramural Recreational Sports Association members are highly engaged in many areas of campus life at theses colleges and universities including, student leadership. development, personnel management, wellness and fitness programs, intramural sports, club sports, recreation facility operations, outdoor recreation, informal recreation, and aquatic programs.

According to the website, the mission statement of the NIRSA is to provide for the education and development of professional and student members to foster quality recreational programs, facilities, and services for diverse populations. The NIRSA demonstrates its commitment to excellence by utilizing resources that promote ethical and healthy lifestyle choices.

The vision statement states that the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association is committed to be recognized internationally as the leader in recreation within higher education, dedicated to excellence in student and professional development, education, research and standards. NIRSA"s commitment , creativity and strategic partnerships are consistently demonstrated through outstanding programs, facilities, and services.

Another thing that I am sure many are unaware of is that the NIRSA has plenty of other opportunities available. The NIRSA gives out scholarships and awards. Not only can one participate in intramurals and get involved, physically active, and have fun, one can also gain money for school through intramurals. They also provide ways and opportunities to get involved, career opportunities, leadership opportunities and much more. I suggest that if Tiffin University is not already a member of the NIRSA, that they become one soon, for there are many positive things to come from this organization.

Visit the NIRSA Blog at http://nirsa-nccs.blogspot.com/

Sponsorships and TU Intramurals

When you think of Tiffin University Intramurals and Sponsorships, it would not appear that the programs has any form of sponsorship. In actuality, there really are no sponsors for Tiffin Universities Intramurals other than Tiffin University itself. Tiffin University takes out an allotted amount each year in order to cover the expenses of the intramural program for example, new equipment, repairs for old equipment, and wages to those who work in Intramurals. The money comes directly out of the Club and Recreation Sports budget. I think that this has limited the possibilities that the Tiffin University Intramurals has. I think that if the program gained some sponsorships, the program could grow tremendously. I think having an athletic sponsor, for example Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour, would definitely create a larger participant base. By having the school, club sports, and intramurals all linked with a big time producer of athletic apparel and gear would hit the student population more effectively. I also think that students would be more likely to play for an award, i.e. t-shirt, that is Nike or Adidas, therefore creating a larger desire to participate and win. On the other hand, the use of local sponsorship would also help on both sides. For the TU Intramurals program, having the local businesses provide any momentary amount will help. On the side of the businesses, it get there name out there to a large segment of their target market.Since the colleges here in Tiffin make up a large amount of the purchasers and spenders in this town, it is clear that this is a good thing. For example, if Marco's Pizza or DPs bar decided to give Tiffin University Intramurals some money if they place there logos on the back of the Intramural champion t-shirts, the marketing for the company is simple, not very expensive, and effective. Sponsorships are a win-win strategy with the local businesses. I suggest the Tiffin University Intramurals programs looks into building some sponsorships with major corporations and/or local businesses.

The Staff of TU Intramurals

The Tiffin University Intramurals program is headed by Darby Roggow who is a professor and head coach for the men's and women's golf teams here at Tiffin University. Although Darby Roggow is in overall control of the program, he has very little to do with the actual running of intramurals. The person who actual deals with intramurals in more detail is Gregory Dunn who is the graduate assistant for Club and Recreation Sports. Intramurals is one duty that is typically given to the graduate assistant of Club and Recreation Sports. Below the graduate assistant are the employees. These position typically are filled by undergraduate students and consist of refereeing the competitions. On the day that intramurals actually takes place, the student employees, referees, have most of the control other than explaining the rules and assigning who plays who. The graduate assistant and director of club and recreation sports usually sit back and let the students be students unless an emergency occurs or they are absolutely needed. The referees tend to do this job for the enjoyment rather than the pay since the pay is not the significant but the benefits from a job like this could be rewarding in the end.

So you may wonder how does one come across these positions. In order to get the graduate assistant position, one must first complete undergrad, then apply for graduate school and the position. It is helpful if the applicant has some knowledge in the field that the graduate assistant position is in. In order to be hired as a referee, it is essential to make some connections with the director and graduate assistant of club and recreation sports. These two will make sure that you go through the right channels to be considered for the positions. The number of spots open varies per year and those who receive the job typically do not hold any other position on campus. These are just some tips to getting that intramurals position that is highly demanded on campus.

Intramurals on another level.

As I spent this past weekend in Celina, Ohio for Ohio's State Business Professionals of America at Wright State University Lake Campus, I realized that there were intramurals here as well. Even though this is a branch campus, they too have a number of intramural sports and activities that the students here can partake in. There are only about 1,200 students here, which is less than what we have a Tiffin. This makes it difficult to have a large number of participants, especially since a good amount of the student body lives off-campus or commutes to the university. The intramurals that are offered here include, basketball, volleyball, and a few other sports. Since this is not the main campus, who has basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, innertube water polo, and much more and large facilities to hold there intramurals, it makes it difficult for this branch campus to be similar to that of the main campus. Being a branch campus, limits the possibilities and resources that they have. In order to hold intramurals, the Wright State University Lake Campus utilizes the YMCA that is right next door for there intramurals. This does allow for some possibilities that some intramural programs are not capable. I found this interesting and different to see how another university has intramurals, especially being a branch of a large university.