Mascaro Serves on NIRSA Committee

Tina Mascaro, Director of Intramurals & Recreation at Fairmont State University, is serving on the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Soccer Committee. Committee members are charged to develop an updated Soccer Clinician Kit that will provide a standardized set of rules for campus intramural programs and guidelines for procuring, training and evaluating student officials. The committee will make presentation at the April 2008 National Conference and provide a Pre-Conference Training Workshop at the 2009 Conference.

NIRSA is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to the establishment and development of quality recreational sports programs and services. Founded in 1950, the association's membership has grown remarkable to form what is now a comprehensive organization representing a worldwide network of highly trained professionals in the recreational sports field.

Mascaro is not new to the sport of soccer. Three years ago she was named the West Virginia Olympic Development Program Administrator for U.S. Youth Soccer, a position she still holds. She currently administers both the boys and girls program within the state, and has also served the U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Girls program as a volunteer administrator. She served the Marion County Youth Soccer Association for seven years helping to develop the U-8 and 5-year-old recreational program.

"I love the sport," Mascaro said. "My two oldest children started playing it 12 years ago and I've been hooked ever since. I even started playing myself in the adult league (Buckskin League) three years ago, and try to play Intramural soccer whenever possible."

Representing thousands of individuals and organizations, NIRSA serves as the leading advocate for excellence in recreational sports. The association's membership is largely composed of recreational sports professionals from colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, a growing number of members are employed in the military, correctional institutions, private industry, community and elementary/secondary level school sectors both in the U.S. and abroad. Working to enhance the quality of services which they provide, the people associated with the NIRSA contribute to the development of the field as well as the development of the profession. The major professional responsibilities of NIRSA membership include programming in the areas of intramural sports, informal recreation, fitness, and instructional sports, as well as the management of recreation facility operations, fiscal planning, sport club coordination and outdoor recreation activities.

NIRSA provides access to educational resource materials as well as a professional support network. Ensuring that those involved in recreational sports remain current and up-to-date is a prime concern for the NIRSA. Through professional support materials and sponsored projects, the quality of campus and community recreation is greatly enhanced. NIRSA publications, certification programs, career opportunities services, the NIRSA Sports Officials' Development Program and sponsored national and regional conferences and workshops contribute to the overall quality of recreational sports programs, services and personnel.