From February 16–27, campus recreation departments across North America showed up in a big way to celebrate Rec Day, Rec Week, and NIRSA’s Founders Day of Giving! This two-week stretch highlights the joy, impact, and community-building power of collegiate recreation.
This celebration is rooted in a moment that shaped our entire profession: February 22, 1950, when Dr. William Wasson convened 20 intramural professionals from 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to share his research on collegiate recreation. What began as a collaboration among 11 HBCUs sparked a movement. One that has grown into a nationally recognized association leading the way in collegiate recreation and elevating the value recreation brings to campuses every day.
This year, that legacy was on full display. From small colleges to large universities, institutions leaned into the pioneering spirit of NIRSA through events, challenges, traditions, and creative activations with the addition of featured conversations with the NIRSA Live Host Lamont Mayer Jr. that captured the heart and preparation behind the celebration.
Highlights from 2026
Explore a few of the standout moments from Rec Day, Rec Week, and Founders Day and see how campus rec “Rec’d” in 2026.
A special thank you is also due to Club Colors for partnering with NIRSA to help these incredible institutions show up in style, because celebrating the power of recreation hits different when the ‘fit matches the feeling.
Northwest Missouri State University and San Francisco State University helped build the momentum early, prepping not only their own campuses but setting a tone for institutions everywhere to celebrate.
UMass Amherstshowcased their storytelling talents, highlighting that recreation is many things and impacts campus life in countless ways, some of which might only truly be understood if the walls could talk.
Multiple institutions offered a variety of classes and activities throughout the week, aiming to engage newcomers while encouraging regular participants to switch things up, or simply share how they recreate.
The University of Illinois Chicago wasn’t about to let snow stop them from celebrating Rec Day. Instead, they got creative and sent their message straight into the snow. And we loved it!
Honoring the legacy of National Intramural Association founders
Heartwarming tributes to our founders also featured throughout the weeks of celebration. Multiple institutions leveraged the opportunity to shift their focus from the physical aspects of Rec Day and Rec Week to share the story of Dr. William Wasson and share milestones from the history of the Association.
These moments of reflection align perfectly with the NIRSA ERSL Conference, which took place February 19-21 at Dallas College and the Donor Match Campaign for Founders Day of Giving, led by the NIRSA Foundation. Schools used the occasion to remind their respective communities that while recreation brings us together through activity, its foundation is built on leadership, collaboration, and a shared vision that continues to grow across campuses today.
The NIRSA Foundation teamed up with partners Moody Nolan, CENTERS and the Anonymous Donor Circle, who pledged a $5,000 match challenge in honor of Founders Day of Giving. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the NIRSA community, that match was exceeded, raising $5,225 in individual donation and bringing the total impact to $10,225.
We extend our sincere appreciation to these incredible partners and to every donor who contributed to the campaign! This support helps the NIRSA Foundation continue its vital work providing scholarships, advancing research opportunities, and investing in the professional development of campus recreation leaders carrying forward the vision that Dr. William Wasson and the Association’s founders set in motion more than 75 years ago.
Let them cook
While many institutions hosted giveaways and special programming to acknowledge Rec Day, some found creative ways to make a deeper impact by connecting students directly to NIRSA’s story through engaging challenges and activities.
One standout example came from Texas Tech University’s University Recreation, whose Rec Day activation sparked significant engagement. In just under two hours, their activities helped grow NIRSA’s social media audience by more than 100 new followers, while simultaneously rallying students around a $10,000 engagement challenge.
NIRSA’s Live Host also spent time speaking with the TTU Rec Day planning committee, diving into how the team planned and executed their celebration. The conversation offered additional firsthand insights about what NIRSA has meant to them personally and how the association has shaped their professional journeys.
Associate members like Moody Nolan and SportsArt also took time to show their appreciation for NIRSA’s origins and the role it plays in shaping their collaboration with the collegiate recreation industry today, while helping strengthen the future of the profession for generations to come.
While Recreation and Fitness Day/Week and Founders Day of Giving provide a special moment for campus recreation professionals, students, and partners to celebrate, they also remind us of the incredible legacy that began more than 75 years ago. What started with 20 professionals from 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities coming together under the leadership of Dr. William Wasson has grown into an association whose influence is imprinted on college and university campuses across North America and even beyond.
But the truth is, the celebration doesn’t stop in February. The spirit of NIRSA extends throughout the year in every committee meeting, conference session, campus program, and professional connection that gives us the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow together as an industry.
Let's do it again in 2027
We extend our sincere thanks to every institution, partner, and individual who took the time to celebrate with us through your shoutouts, creative programming, student engagement, and generous donations. Your energy, commitment, and passion continue to carry forward the legacy our founders began and ensure that campus recreation remains a powerful force for community, leadership, and student development.
Because, at the end of the day, how we participate today continues to shape the future of recreation tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone who participated this year
This is just a glimpse at some of the great things campus rec departments did to make Rec Day an unforgettable experience for the students on their campuses! Check out the #RecDay2026 hashtag across Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more examples of departments taking advantage of Rec Day 2026 to get moving in celebration of what Dr. William Wasson started back in 1950. Thank you!
