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Tennessee Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (TIRSA) Workshop

Tennessee Intramural Recreational Sports Association, 2025

TIRSA Dates: January 30-31, 2025

NIRSA is a leader in higher education and the advocate for the advancement of recreation, sport, and wellness by providing educational and developmental opportunities, generating and sharing knowledge, and promoting networking and growth for our members. The Tennessee Intramural Recreational Sports Association (TIRSA) Workshop provides an opportunity for leaders in collegiate recreation throughout Tennessee to come together to participate in activities fostering development, networking, and celebrating our history. Austin Peay State University is excited to host TIRSA Thursday, January 30, and Friday, January 31, 2025.  

This year’s theme is “Play It Forward,” emphasizing the role of recreation in shaping future leaders, promoting wellness and building a strong sense of community. 


Registrations

TIRSA Workshop Registration is open. **Please register by Jan. 20 to allow us to finalize numbers** We will also be offering students the ability to stay at the Foy Center overnight on Jan. 30, for FREE!

Register by Mon. Jan. 20!


Sponsorships

Thank you to our Sponsors! We couldn't have this workshop without you!

Aktiv Solutions logo

Life Fitness

Ready Fitness logo

Direct Fitness Solutions Logo

Matrix Fitness logo   DSE logo   


Connecting to APSU WIFI

Govs Tech Step-by-Step Guide


TIRSA Schedule

Thursday January 30, 2025

Friday January 31, 2025

  • Dunks & Dinks: Programming for Both the Campus & Local Community
    • Location: Studio A, Foy 214 
    • Presenter: Barrett Belote & Peyton Wolfe, UT Martin
    • Description: Enhancing Programs through Campus and Community Involvement:  Join us to learn how UT Martin organized four pickleball tournaments and an extramural basketball tournament for both the local and campus communities. In this session, we will discuss how to we created and executed the tournaments, what we learned, and how we can improve. 
    • Learning Outcomes: Tips for running successful tournaments Minimizing and maximizing tournament expenses Engaging community and other universities to provide more opportunities for current students Quality equals max potential and retention
  • GO Outside
    • Location: Cycling Studio
    • Presenter: Abigail Vela, APSU
    • Description: Backpacking combines hiking with overnight camping, offering students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature while building resilience, self-reliance, and teamwork. This proposal outlines a structured backpacking program for higher education students to promote wellness, outdoor skills, and environmental stewardship.
    • Learning Outcomes: Students will develop practical outdoor skills such as navigation, resource management, and environmental stewardship, enhancing their confidence and self-reliance. Additionally, participants will build resilience, teamwork, and leadership abilities through shared experiences in challenging, natural settings.
  • Marketing Roundtable
    • Location: Studio B, Foy 215 
    • Presenter: Anja Shelton, APSU
  • Navigating the Changes Between Student and Professional
    • Location: Foy Wellness Ed Room, Foy 202
    • Presenter: Bella Wills, APSU
    • Description: We will be talking about knowing what you bring to the table, finding your leadership style, and ways to make sure you are taking care of yourself during the transition.
  • Find Your Fit: Encouraging and Empowering the Gym-Anxious College Student
    • Location: Cycling Studio
    • Presenter: Emerald Lacy & Lauren Smiley, APSU
    • Description: This session delves into the common reasons students may feel anxious about using recreation facilities and how these barriers can impact their wellness journey. Discover strategies for creating inclusive, welcoming spaces that encourage engagement, build confidence, and help students feel a true sense of belonging in your recreation center.
    • Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to 1) recognize common reasons students may feel anxious about entering recreation centers and how it affects their ability to engage and 2) learn practical approaches to create welcoming and inclusive environments that foster student engagement and a sense of belonging. 
  • Using Qualtrics: The Campus Recreation & Wellness Benchmark Assessment
    • Location: Wellness Ed Room, Foy 202
    • Presenter: Sean Basso, UT Knoxville
    • Description: How to use Qualtrics to quickly & efficiently collect data via the Campus Recreation & Wellness Benchmark (CRWB) Survey.
    • Learning Outcomes: Attendees will: 1) gain familiarity with the questions included on the CRWB survey; 2) learn how to import select-questions using QSF files; 3) observe how to distribute the CRWB by using highly-personalized emails through Qualtrics
  • Learning in the Absence of Consequence: A Bikepacking Story 
    • Location: Studio A, Foy 214
    • Presenter:  Mac Murchison, APSU
    • Description: This presentation will address how risk tolerance and decision making can be affected when the consequences of a poor decision do not actually precipitate. 
    • Learning Outcomes: Learning outcomes include the experiential learning cycle and a more critical application of the debriefing stage; 1) the ability to debrief solo-adventures, 2) the ability to accurately assess decisions irrespective of their consequences. Other outcomes include the role of ego in decision-making and some basic outdoor risk management skills. 
  • Risk Management Roundtable
    • Location: Studio B, Foy 215
    • Presenter: Trey Knight, UT Knoxville
    • Description: Gather with colleagues from programs and operations to discuss how campus recreation professional can work to limit liability and prioritize patron safety.
    • Learning Outcomes: Understand premise liability and negligence.  Understand what options we have to protect the organization and the team against liability.
  • Proactive Outreach: Inclusive Marketing Practices in Campus Recreation
    • Location: Wellness Ed Room, Foy 202
    • Presenter: Eric Harrell, UT Knoxville
    • Description: Provide a comprehensive overview of inclusive marketing practices used within campus recreation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Emphasize the importance of inclusive representation, campus resources, and accessibility practices for campus recreation marketing efforts. Opportunity for session attendees to share their successes.
    • Learning Outcomes: Attendees will determine/identify practical ideas and techniques for implementing inclusive marketing strategies into their campus recreation efforts. - Attendees will be able to empower and engage student employees to facilitate inclusive marketing strategies within campus recreation. 
  • Burnout to Brilliance: Rediscovering Joy at Work
    • Location: Studio A, Foy 214
    • Presenter: Anja Shelton & Lauren Smiley, APSU
    • Description: Explore strategies to overcome burnout and reignite your passion for work. This session focuses on practical tools to manage stress, find balance, and cultivate a renewed sense of purpose and joy in your professional life. Reconnect with what inspires you and transform burnout into brilliance!
  • Sponsor Spotlight with DSE Rec
    • Location: Cycling Studio
    • Presenter: Beth Keith, DSE
    • Description: Serving the recreation industry since 2007, DSE has provided tailored software solutions to schools of all sizes across the country. Designed by recreation professionals, DSE offers user-friendly software backed by fast and attentive customer support to help you boost user engagement. Discover more about this robust software suite and how it can be tailored to meet your needs. 
  • Introducing Clifton Strengths: Unlock Your Potential
    • Location: Foy Wellness Ed Room, Foy 202
    • Presenter: Alexandra Wills, APSU 
    • Description: Learn what your unique strengths mean, how they show up in daily life, and how our campus embraces a strengths-based culture. This session is perfect for anyone new to Clifton Strengths and ready to unlock their potential!
  • Fireside Chat with David & Sean
    • Location: Studio B, Foy 215
    • Presenter: Sean Basso, UT Knoxville & David Davenport, APSU
    • Description: Join us for an interactive fireside chat where your questions shape the conversation! We’ll discuss topics related to NIRSA participation, answer your questions, and share insights to keep the discussion engaging and dynamic.
  • Differences Between Classroom & Real World in Climbing
  • Fitness Roundtable
    • Location: Studio A, Foy 214
    • Presenter: Emerald Lacy, APSU
  • Intramural & Sport Club Roundtable
    • Location: Gym Court A
    • Presenter: Kahlia Flowers, APSU

Travel Information

Lodging

Driving Directions

Parking


Overnight Experience

Students attending TIRSA can stay at the Foy Center overnight for free! We'll have a complete indoor camping experience with tents (if wanted), ghost stories and games. 

Register for the overnight experience when completing your TIRSA registration. Registration for the Overnight Experience will stay open until we reach capacity or January 20, whichever comes first. 

 

University Recreation leadership team