April 27, 2010--Assignment 3

In 1950 when Dr. William N. Wasson founded The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, he had a dream in mind. He organized a meeting at the first Intramural Conference at Dillard University in New Orleans. NIRSA is an organization that focuses on developing quality recreational programs, as well as educate its participants. The program exists primarily to provide college students as well as other public groups with both recreational sports as well as intramural sport contests. The most popular sports in the NIRSA are flag football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and soccer. Both professional and student members provide for these programs for a variety of populations. The members of NIRSA focus on making healthy lifestyle choices and show their capability through their creativity and remarkable programs. They are striving to be internationally recognized in the future. Donations, communities, and other major Universities fund NIRSA.  All of these donors support what NIRSA does and are involved in the sport programs the foundation provides. Donations to the NIRSA Foundation are the only tax-deductible contributions allowable to a NIRSA-related entity. With all the support from the people interested in NIRSA, it is able to flourish. The main benefit and purpose of NIRSA’s services is to educate the public in healthy life-style choices and recreational fun.

NIRSA has various elements that set it apart from other agencies of its option. The main difference is that the organization is made of professional and student members both. This is helpful because many of the students who help could potentially find their passion within this organization, therefore leading to a possible career path. NIRSA also has a variety of job opportunities available, which is a direct result from the numerous programs it encompasses. In order to get started with NIRSA, people interested must attend the annual conference in Anaheim, California. The different types of jobs available are planners, financial coordinators, equipment and field management, as well as others. Volunteers are always welcome, and the only requirement is attending the conference, having a solid resume & knowledge of recreational sports. 

The NIRSA strengths is that they provide recreational programs to athletes and students in school. Ben Ellison, is one of the directors in charge in setting up the games and he talks about how he wants to give the kids a way to participate in the community. He says that the organization’s purpose is to help others make healthy lifestyle choices and demonstrate their professionalism through their creativity and outstanding programs. These are strengths because the organization offers leisure activities to students. It lets them participate in the community and to develop. Its an easy way to come out and participate in the community. Some of the weaknesses is that most of these programs are for college athletes and students. Most of the games are not in public places. These are weaknesses because their organization is not open to everyone and it is hard to get to the games. It is only open to college athletes and students. Not everyone can benefit from this organization.

            The NIRSA does fulfill its purpose because it provides education and development of quality recreational programs to college students and athletes. They give the students a healthy life-style and lets them participate and interact with each other. Most importantly, Ellison stated that the main goal was to have fun. That is why he started doing this in the first place. He wants to give the students a better leisure life by providing a safe and peaceful environment. He also has talked with the students and asked them if they would ever participate again. Almost everyone of them said yes because it is fun way to come out and play. 

Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) is an online sports agency that serves numerous athletes around the world by establishing beneficial relationships between agents and their clients. According to their mission statement SMWW “strives to prepare a new generation of athlete representatives with knowledge, critical thinking, ethics, integrity, skills, and the passion to succeed.” SMWW is funded by the fees athletes pay in order to be represented by SMWW agents. It is also funded by the fees prospects pay to take their online courses to become certified agents. Any athlete who is searching for an agent and finds that SMWW fulfills their requirements can be served by this agency. Former ball players, NBA front office personnel, ESPN analysts, professional NBA scouts, athletic trainers, coaches, top endorsement negotiators, and Agent Advisors make up the personnel of SMWW Sports Agency.

Sports Management World Wide is a unique website that makes becoming a sports agent very accessible. The key program elements that set these agencies apart from others are the fact that this website allows anybody to be certified without any sort of education. Unlike other sports management programs this agency provides affordable opportunity to earn your Masters and Doctoral degree in sports management and leadership. The process to become a sports agent for this company requires you to complete an eight week online course.  This agency offers jobs such as “advisors” or the actual agent, and since it is an all online service, all the people who are employed who create and run the website. These jobs interrelate to help provide a smooth running service (webpage) for those who are interested in becoming certified through this agency. So those who create and manage the website are bringing in the agents who then in turn work for the company. 

Sports Management Worldwide has a variety of strengths and weaknesses as a leisure service provider.  However, some of its strengths can also be a weakness.  For example, anybody can apply for their online courses to obtain certification.  That can be seen as a strength and a weakness in that you don’t need credentials and a large resume.  This is also a weakness in that it can take some validity away from the agency and from agents in the field. Some of the major strengths of the agency are the immense number jobs that their certifications can bring and the simplicity that they utilize in giving you the resources to succeed.  Time is another great strength because it only takes 8 weeks to go through the online courses with renowned professors to obtain certification.  They also help young athletes find themselves agents to represent them in the sports world.  Some downfalls to the agency is that it isn’t as hands on and it is hard to be taught everything over a computer.  Sports Management Worldwide successfully fills their mission statements and goals.  They provide the user with an easy and fast way to become a certified sports agent and help young athletes obtain sports agents.  SMWW does this in a manner that is professional and scholarly.  They even have internships to help you get ahead of your peers in the sports agency world.  They back up their credentials with highly regarded sports managers and executives such as Marc Trestman and John Wooten.  Overall Sport Management Worldwide is a great source for young men and women who are looking to obtain a career in sports management, scouting, and leadership.