The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) established itself 55 years ago as the pioneer of organized recreation primarily for colleges and universities. Founded in 1950 at Dillard University in New Orleans by 20 African-American male and female intramural directors from 11 Historically Black Colleges, NIRSA began as the National Intramural Association (NIA). Dr. William Wasson convened the initial meeting in New Orleans, served as NIA's first president, and is revered as NIRSA's founder. Today, NIRSA is a nonprofit membership organization serving a network of more than 4,000 highly trained professionals, students, and associate members in the recreational sports field throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries. It is the leading organization in many areas: training and professional development, intramural sports, sport clubs, recreation facilities, fitness programming, outdoor recreation, wellness programs, informal recreation, and aquatic programs. Of NIRSA's 740 institutional members, 94 percent come from college and university recreational sports programs. NIRSA's member institutions represent nearly 7 million college students, of whom an estimated 5.

5 million participate in recreational programs.