About NIRSA

NIRSA is the leading resource for professional and student development, education, and research in collegiate recreational sports.

NIRSA was established in 1950, when Dr. William Wasson convened a meeting of 22 African-American men and women from 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, NIRSA now includes nearly 4,000 highly trained professional, student and associate members throughout the United States, Canada and other countries. Serving an estimated 5.5 million students who regularly participate in campus recreational sports programs, NIRSA members are actively engaged in many areas of campus life: student leadership, development, and personnel management; wellness and fitness programs; intramural sports; sport clubs; recreation facility operations; outdoor recreation; informal recreation; and aquatic programs.

Related Organizations

The NIRSA Foundation
Founded in 1992, the NIRSA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that supports the mission of NIRSA. It publishes the biannual Recreational Sports Journal and provides opportunities through professional development, research, scholarships and support of the Career Opportunities Center. Donations to the NIRSA Foundation are the only tax-deductible contributions allowable to a NIRSA-related entity.

A nine-member board that includes the current NIRSA President and NIRSA Executive Director governs the NIRSA Foundation. Seven members serve one to three year terms of office dependent upon position. The NIRSA Foundation has its own articles of incorporation and bylaws. The NIRSA Board of Directors has input to the NIRSA Foundation via the NIRSA President’s seat on the NIRSA Foundation Board, however, control and management of the NIRSA Foundation remains the sole responsibility of the current NIRSA Foundation Board of Directors. An NNC liaison serves administratively as the NIRSA Foundation Coordinator.

NIRSA Services Corporation
Formed in 1999, the NSC is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary (C Corporation) of NIRSA, and supports the vision and mission of the association through enterprise. The NSC manages income from NIRSA sponsored and endorsed programs, develops assets through corporate partnerships and sale of products with an advertising component, and creates visibility and awareness through the administration of participatory sports programs.