The University Student Recreational Complex will host the National Intramural Recreation Sports Association’s 2013 Region IV Student Lead On conference Thursday to Saturday to help students network and develop their professional skills.

The NIRSA is a national organization for students working or interested in collegiate recreation, such as UREC student instructors and employees. Because the conference is aimed at helping students become collegiate recreational professionals, it is centered on student development.

According to the schedule, the conference will offer a variety of opportunities such as a guest speaker president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Sports Foundation Jerry Stovall, recreational sports professional panel, résumé workshop, service project, fitness classes, socials and tours.

Also, the conference will give the UREC an opportunity to spotlight its renovation and reveal further plans.

“We will showcase what we have and what expansions we are looking forward to,” Bayne said.

Lauren Brown, graduate assistant of the UREC and conference chair, said this is the first time the Lead On conference has been hosted in Louisiana.

“We will provide an experience for people who haven’t been to this University. We are doing a tour of Tiger Stadium and showing them what LSU is all about,” Brown said.

UREC Marketing Coordinator Kendra Bayne said 161 students from 25 universities will be attending, and a majority of the events will be held in the Student Union.

Brown said her committee tried to make the conference affordable and accessible, going so far as to invite attendees to bring a sleeping bag and stay at the UREC for free.

“It’s a big tradition within NIRSA to open up the recreation center and have people sleep in the gym,” Brown said.

Students come to experience LSU and university recreations, to learn more about NIRSA get involved, learn about the programs, and develop them as students and as professionals.”