The University of Alabama at Birmingham's University Recreation hosted the 2024 Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders (ERSL) Conference from February 15-17, 2024, marking a significant milestone as only the fifth non-HBCU institution to host the event.

“University Recreation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is honored to have had the opportunity to host the Emerging Recreational Sports Leaders Conference and we look forward to continuing to support initiatives that promote professional development within collegiate recreation,” said Seneca Wilson, director of University Recreation.

The ERSL Conference, established in 1992 by the office of intramural sports at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, aims to cultivate a robust future leadership pipeline for minority students in collegiate recreation. Over the years, it has evolved into a vital platform offering educational, professional, and networking opportunities tailored to empower young minority students interested in pursuing careers in collegiate recreation.

This year's conference featured a diverse range of programming designed to cater to the needs of emerging leaders in the field. Presentations explored the evolving landscape of recreational sports careers in today's economy. Educational session topics ranged from Networking 101, Self-Awareness: Finding the Coaching in Criticism and Are Your Programs Programming? HBCU Edition. Attendees had access to a wealth of knowledge and resources aimed at equipping them for success. The conference opened with an HBCU Summit and a tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

One of the key objectives of the ERSL Conference is to provide minority students with the tools and network connections necessary to thrive in the dynamic field of collegiate recreation. Through educational sessions, mentorship opportunities, and facilitated networking events, participants gained valuable insights and built meaningful connections that will serve as the foundation for their future careers.

The ERSL Conference is committed to fostering diversity within the collegiate recreation community, with a focus on ensuring that the association reflects the populations and demographics served by NIRSA members. By empowering young minority students with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to excel, the conference plays a crucial role in advancing diversity and inclusion efforts within the field.