Welcome to New Orleans and the 2009 NIRSA Region IV Conference hosted by Tulane University. It is particularly significant that New Orleans has the opportunity to serve as the host city for this year's Region IV conference in preparation for the annual conference returning to New Orleans in 2011.Our Association's history is deeply rooted in New Orleans. Our founding father and the first President of the NIA, Dr. William Wasson, hailed from Dillard University and the first Intramural Sports Conference was hosted by Dillard in 1950. Today, New Orleans is home to five nationally recognized universities; the University of New Orleans, Loyola University, Tulane University, Dillard and Xavier Universities. Collectively this consortium of schools is pleased to serve as your Host Committee and welcomes you with open arms to "The Big Easy".

Here, in this little corner of the American South, where European traditions blend with Caribbean influences, the history is as colorful as the local architecture; the food is the stuff of legend. Haitian and African Creoles developed an exotic, spicy cuisine and were instrumental in creating jazz and Zydeco. Our street names are French and Spanish, our Creole architecture comes in a carnival of tropical colors, and our voodoo is a Caribbean import. New Orleans is irresistible; it is a culturally rich city with a truly diverse and distinctive population. It is unlike any other city in the United States. In many ways its diversity, uniqueness and pension for fun parallels the field of collegiate recreational sports.

Our conference planning committee has worked hard to ensure that you have a great conference experience. We hope that you will find the breadth of educational presentations stimulating and that you will use this time to connect with your colleagues, share your experience and network NIRSA style.

Again, welcome to New Orleans. I know that you will enjoy and benefit from attending the conference. It is our goal to exceed your expectations in every conceivable way. Please let us know if there is anything we may assist you with. Thank you for supporting your regional conference and for your continued commitment to NIRSA and excellence on your respective campuses.


Missie McGuire
NIRSA Region IV Vice President
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Tulane University