Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference: History & Background

Endorsed by NIRSA

The school year was 1948-49. Dr. William N. Wasson, a biology professor at Dillard University, New Orleans, received a grant from the Carnegie Foundation to collect data for his work "A Comparative Study of Intramural Programs in Negro Colleges." Dr. Wasson toured 25 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) to collect the necessary data for his study.

After his research was completed, Dr. Wasson forwarded the Intramural Director of each institution that participated a copy of his findings. Based on his findings a meeting of eleven of these directors was convened so that "information and idea exchange" could take place. The meeting was held on February 22-23, 1950 at Dillard University. From this meeting the National Intramural Association, later to become the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, was born.

The Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference was born of this same idea. A forum for information exchange, education, discussion, critical communication and positive dialogue for those interested in the field. The conference was the vision of Mike Dunn, Director of Recreational Sports, Southern Illinois University and the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association in 1992.

The conference has two goals. First, the conference is meant to renew and foster relations with HBCUs and student leaders who consider recreational sports a viable career choice. Second, the conference is designed to provide an opportunity for students to acquire the right set of tools to make a difference in the lives of others.

NIA Founding Members:

• Roosevelt Grattic, Bethune-Cookman College
• Rudolph G. Matthews, Bethune-Cookman College
• Annette H. Akins, Dillard University
• Armstead C. Pierro, Dillard University
• William N. Wasson, Dillard University
• Dimples Lee, Texas State University
• Juanita G. Pierce. Texas State University
• Viggo Wallace, Texas State University
• James E. Hawkins, Xavier University
• Victor Kerr, Xavier University
• Alfred C. Priestly, Xavier University
• Hiram Workman, Xavier University
• George W. James, Albany State College
• Alvin M. Brown, Arkansas A&M College
• Allen E. Weatherford, North Carolina College
• Horace W. Moody, Southern University
• Grant S. Gray, Tillotson College
• Cleve Abbott, Tuskegee Institute
• R.E. Townes, Wiley College

Insignia

The Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference insignia you see at the top of this section was created to signify the Conference Executive Board and the National Intramural Recreational Sports Associations' commitment to the development of leadership programs, services, and resources to participants of this conference. The word "Emerging" rising above the black box symbolizes breaking through any imposed barriers. We invite you to step outside your own comfort zone to see what educational and leadership opportunities are waiting.