2023 Workshop Schedule

Wednesday, october 18

Thursday, October 19

Session & Event Information

Wednesday, October 18

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. -Preconference Pickleball – Participate in one of the fastest growing and most popular sports in the country by registering for one of our exciting preconference pickleball options. We will offer a “Learn to Play” session for people who are new to pickleball and want to learn the game, as well as a doubles tournament for up to 10 teams (20 players). The winners of this doubles tournament will be crowned the first ever champions of the MIRSA State Workshop Pickleball Tournament and hold bragging rights until the event is held again. We hope to see the best players that MIRSA has to offer on the pickleball court for this tournament! Showers and locker rooms will be available to participants before the workshop begins on Wednesday. (No equipment required)

12 - 1 p.m. - Registration and Check-in (Esports Arena Lobby) - Get checked in for the workshop and receive your workshop name badge and swag!

1 - 1:15 p.m. - Welcome and Opening Remarks (Esports Arena) - The 2023 Workshop will kickoff with a welcome to attendees and guest. 

1:15 - 1:45 p.m. - Keynote Speaker - Strengthening the Core: The importance of Resilience and Grit in Today’s Student (Esports Arena) Reetha Raveendran, Ed.D. - Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Today's college students face a dynamic academic landscape, making resilience and grit crucial attributes. Resilience helps them adapt and stay mentally healthy, while grit ensures they persist through challenges and achieve academic success. These qualities prepare students for the unpredictable world and foster personal growth. Pandemic or endemic--the impact has been extensive and unpredictable. What is our role in strengthening the core of our community?

1:50 - 2:35 p.m. - MIRSA State Business Meeting (Esports Arena) - The MIRSA E-board will provide updates from the last year, talk new business, and the first ever MIRSA Honor Award will be presented. 

2:35 - 3:10 p.m. - Region III Update & Regional Conference Information Session - Chris Crume, NIRSA Region III Representative will provide updates from NIRSA and share information about a regional conference model proposed by NIRSA. Members will have time for Q&A. 

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Educational Sessions and Roundtables

Pathways and Partnerships for Utilizing the Okanagan Charter International Framework for Health Promoting Universities (Esports Arena). Presented by: Beth Northuis, Western Michigan University & Cari Robertson, Western Michigan University

It takes all of us to promote health and wellness on college campuses. Learn strategies for building partnerships and initiatives to advance the well-being of people, places, and the planet. We will explore the Okanagan Charter for Health Promoting Colleges and Universities and discuss lessons learned from implementing the charter from various campuses around the table. Participants will interact with each other to identify practical action to address any barriers along pathways to becoming Health Promoting University.

Aquatics Roundtable (Walwood Emeritus Lounge)

Marketing & Social Media Roundtable (Walwood West Lobby)

Small Colleges & Community College Roundtable (Walwood West Lobby)

Student and Graduate Assistant Roundtable (Walwood Commons)

4:45 - 6 p.m. - Esports Showcase (Esports Arena) – The Esports Showcase on Wednesday provides a unique opportunity to highlight one of the premier Esports facilities in the Midwest. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in open gaming (many fun options provided) and/or tour the arena to view its production and event hosting capabilities. Even if you are not a “gamer” we are sure you will be impressed with the WMU Esports Arena which hosts events like the Spring Michigan High School Esports Championships and other regional tournaments.  

7-10 p.m. - Social Presented by Direct Fitness Solutions – The Workshop Social will be hosted at Revel & Roll West from 7-10pm. All registered workshop attendees are welcome to attend and participate in bowling, axe throwing, the Silent Action, and enjoy the pizza and salad bar. Soft drinks will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. Other games and laser tag will be available for people at an out-of-pocket cost.  

Silent Action – The Awards and Scholarships Committee is hosting a Silent Auction to raise money for MIRSA Scholarships. The committee is asking for all attendees to participate in this fun-filled Silent Auction by bringing an item from your household that will be highly sought-after for your colleagues to bid on. Think white elephant meets high-stakes auction! New or lightly used items such as electronics, sports memorabilia, household goods, etc. are perfect for this event. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure! Payment will be accepted through MIRSA Venmo, cash or check. To participate, please bring your donated item to the check-in table on Wednesday morning.

Thursday, October 19

6:30-8 a.m. - Morning Workout & F45 Class – Western Michigan University is offering a chance to get your daily workout in while away from your normal routine. The Student Recreation Center will be open exclusively for MIRSA members from 6:30-8am on Thursday, October 19 for attendees to use the strength and cardio areas. In addition, a free F45 Class will be offered to the first 36 people to register for the class. Western Michigan University is the only college or university in Michigan to have an F45 studio on campus, presenting a unique opportunity for attendees to try something new or participate in something you already love! More information about the class offered on that day is below. Showers and locker rooms will be available to participants before the workshop begins on Wednesday. 

The F45 class on October 19 is Titans. Titans is an elevated version of the Romans workout with nine stations and varying timing techniques. Raise your strength capabilities with this resistance-based workout with progressive overload towards a heavy lift. (Don’t be intimidated by this description, our F45 Instructors do a great job welcoming people of all abilities and fitness levels to these classes.) 

7:30-8 a.m. - Student Recreation Center Tour - Join the SRC Staff for a all access tour of the 240,000 sq. ft. Student Recreation Center.

8-9 a.m. - Check-in, Vendor Fair & Coffee Hour - Meet our generous sponsors and learn about their products and services while enjoying refreshments and networking opportunities. The silent auction will be open for final bids which will close at 10:30 a.m. 

9-9:25 a.m. - Sessions

New Member & Student Session – Join the MIRSA Membership Engagement Committee at the New Member and Student Session on Thursday morning. At this session attendees will network and meet other members new to MIRSA and learn more about MIRSA and NIRSA. Attending a conference or workshop for the first time can be intimidating and this session will surely help ease the tension of navigating a new experience or being new to an association like MIRSA.  

Proposed MIRSA Bylaw Discussion - Join the MIRSA Bylaws & Nominations and Elections Committees to review proposed bylaw changes and provide feedback to the committees before these proposed amendments go to vote later in the fall.

9:30-10:20 a.m. - Educational Sessions and Roundtables

Starting Strong - Effective Onboarding for New Full-Time Staff (SRC 3014). Presented by: Lexi Chaput, University of Michigan

Onboarding a full-time staff member should be a significant investment; it requires a great deal of time spent by their supervisor, their coworkers, and the employee themselves. If all three of those groups are not prepared to participate in a meaningful way, that can impact efficiency, effectiveness, and connection. This presentation will identify ways in which a supervisor can lead an effective onboarding program for staff who are either new to the university, the department, or their role.

Fitness and Wellness Roundtable (SRC 3015)

Outdoor Programming and Climbing Wall Roundtable (SRC 3016)

Directors Roundtable (SRC 4th Floor Conference Room)

10:30-11:20 a.m. - Educational Sessions and Roundtables

Thriving in Middle Management (SRC 3014) Presented by: Lexi Chaput, University of Michigan 

Holding a position in middle management can provide a variety of challenges, especially to those who are effective in the role! Middle managers are required to transition their thinking, their communication, and their work style, often on a daily basis, and the purpose of the position can sometimes feel convoluted.

Esports Roundtable (SRC 3015)

Officiating 401 - Advance Your Career and Your Competitive Sports Program (SRC 3016) Presented by: Mike Berdowski, Western Michigan University, Kyle Bushee, Western Michigan University & Ross Winter, Michigan State University

Officiating 401 is designed for sports officials looking to advance their careers and improve their competitive sports programs. This comprehensive course will provide valuable instruction and training on advanced officiating techniques, rule interpretation, and communication skills. Participants will also develop leadership skills, learn how to manage difficult situations and conflict resolution, and gain insight into effective game management strategies. Officiating 401 is the perfect opportunity for new and experienced referees to take their officiating abilities to the next level and enhance their contributions to their campuses.

A Conversation About All-gender Restrooms & Locker Rooms (SRC 3017) Presented by: Greg Jordan, Oakland University

Recreation facilities are facing the challenge of providing inclusive, welcoming spaces to our entire community. It's even a more difficult process in retro-fitting existing space to meet 21st century expectations. Using a current project that's underway as a case study, let's explore trends, attitudes, conversations taking place on each of our respective campuses regarding providing all gender spaces.

11:40 a.m. - MIRSA Group Picture (Student Center Staircase)  - Please join us for the MIRSA Group Photo on the center staircase of the beautiful new student center! The picture will be taken at 11:40 a.m. sharp! 

11:50 a.m. - 1:25 p.m. - Lunch Presented by Matrix Fitness (Student Center Fireside Lounge) – Thursdays workshop lunch features a taco bar at Western Michigan University’s brand-new Student Center. People will enjoy conversation with other professionals and students who are at a similar stage in their career. 

12:30 - 1 p.m. - New Student Center Tour - Meet outside of the Fireside Lounge to get a tour of the brand new Student Center with Student Center Staff. 

1:30-2:20 p.m. - Educational Sessions and Roundtables

Club Sports Roundtable (SC 2209)

Transferable Skills- Student Development (SC 2211) Presented by: Bennett Holmes, Central Michigan University, Grace Darling, Western Michigan University & Morgan Losey, Western Michigan University

Join us as we explore how working in campus recreation as a student can provide you with transferable skills and experiences that employers in other fields are looking for. Additionally, we will share some techniques for how to highlight those same skills in job interviews and resumes, allowing you to leverage your work experience for your next career step, inside or outside of campus recreation. 

The Exercise Inclusivity Toolbox: Tips for Retention and Inclusion in Fitness (SC 2213) Presented by: Sarah Joseph, Eastern Michigan University

It makes sense that adding diversity and inclusion to our hiring, training, and teaching techniques, would strengthen our fitness programming. Unfortunately, making fitness studios more diverse isn’t as simple as hanging a “Welcome” sign on the door. Students have so many different options when it comes to finding a workout. The more we can build community in our programming, the more value we add to the experience. Learn key teaching techniques to share with your staff to ensure you send the ideal message to participants.

Matrix Session with Directors and Purchasing Influencers (SC Fireside Lounge) Presented by: Danielle De Vaux, Matrix Fitness

The session will be followed by a Directors Roundtable from 1:30-2 p.m.

2:30-3:20 p.m. - Educational Sessions and Roundtables

Workplace Resilience (SC 2209) Presented by: Janay Christian, Western Michigan University

Are you tired of trying to achieve work/life balance? This session explores work/life harmony and realistic means of navigating burnout.

Intramural Sports Roundtable (SC 2211) 

Facilities and Memberships Roundtable (SC 2213)

Student Development Roundtable (SC Fireside Lounge)

3:30-4 p.m. - Closing Remarks (Student Center 2209-2213) - Join the Conference Planning Committee and Host for some closing remarks and conclusion of the workshop. 

4:15-4:45 p.m. - Student Recreation Center Tour - If you missed the 7:30 a.m. SRC tour, join our staff for one last guided experience through the Student Recreation Center.

thank you to our sponsors!