The 2011 NIRSA National Aquatic Institute is honored to have Joe Dean, Jr. as the keynote speaker. Athletic Director at Birmingham Southern College (BSC), Dean works closely with Recreational Sports and his presentation, "Making a Difference," will provide insights on the joys and opportunities collegiate recreation professionals have to influence young people.
The theme "Making a Difference" relates to all the diverse areas of a college campus - academic, social, physical, spiritual - and how they work together in different ways to help students become well rounded and better equipped for an ever changing world. As recreational and athletic educators and facilitators, we are teaching our students how the physical aspects of their lives can not only keep them fit and motivated, but the intangible qualities of athletic competition teach strong life lessons that will later help us, in all walks of life.
A three-year basketball letterman at Mississippi State University, Dean earned his B.S. degree in Education in 1976 and his Master of Education Degree in 1977. Dean coached basketball as an assistant and head coach through the mid-90s at University of Kentucky, Birmingham Southern College, and the University of Central Florida.
Now in his 10th year as Athletic Director, Dean has been instrumental in upgrading BSC's athletic facilities, including a softball park and a new weight room. Additionally, Dean has raised over $2 million for the renovation of Bill Battle Coliseum. Dean is active in Birmingham civic activities: He is currently the President-Elect of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, the Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Foundation and the Birmingham Region of Colonial Bank. For the past 14 years, Dean has also worked as a TV color analyst on SEC basketball games for Raycom Sports and Fox SportsSouth.