MINNEAPOLIS — The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Exposition attracted more than 2,000 attendees during the April 18-21 show at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

At the conference, NIRSA presented the 2007 Outstanding Sports Facilities Awards to The Ohio State University; Jackson State University (MS); Southern Methodist University (TX); Cleveland State University (OH); the University of Florida; the University of Texas at Austin; the University of North Dakota; Harvard University (MA); Butler University (IN); Boston University (MA); Central Washington University; and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tom Dison from the University of Texas at Austin was the Honor Award winner.

The keynote speaker was Judson Laipply, who is best known for “The Evolution of Dance,” the most viewed video on YouTube.com.

Another speaker, Kathy Cleveland Bull of N~Compass Consulting, based her presentation on Spencer Johnson's best-selling book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” The cheese in her presentation represented what is important to people in life and how they attain it. Bull discussed the three phases of change (from William Bridges' Change Cycle): endings, a neutral zone and new beginnings. At some point, Bull said, people must free themselves to find “new cheese.”

The educational sessions included a senior management panel about how recreational sports fit with higher education.

Presenters in several sessions referenced the Virginia Tech massacre, which occurred the Monday prior to the NIRSA show. Ribbons bearing the Virginia Tech colors were available at a welcoming table.

Next year's conference will occur April 2-5, 2008, in Austin, TX.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.