Sports Management
The multi-billion dollar sports industry doesn't just need athletes and coaches; it needs professionals who can manage the business of sports. The BBA with a concentration in Sports Management prepares students to apply managerial, financial, and ethical business principles to the sport industry. The program will develop skills in multiple areas including sales, understanding the legal environment, developing marketing strategies and promoting events, and representing athletes during contract negotiations.
Internships are vital to the sports management experience. Students will be encouraged to pursue multiple internship opportunities during their time in the program.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
Minor in Sports Management B.B.A. with a Concentration in Sports Management Minor in BusinessCourses
Businesses – whether large or small, public or private, product or service oriented, traditional corporate model or mission-based – have much in common. Students explore those commonalities in the course, which offers an introduction to the functional areas of business. The course is designed around a business simulation called BizCafé, in which entrepreneurial teams managing all aspects of a small coffee shop for nine weeks, developing creative, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and gaining insights into the integrative approach required in today’s business world.
This course provides an opportunity for students to practice all forms of business communication, including written documents and reports, oral presentations, phone, e-mail, and meetings. Particular consideration will be given to audience analysis, appropriate medium, cultural and gender issues, feedback, and biases affecting communication.
The course explores the art and science of management and examines behaviors at the individual, group, and enterprise levels that advance or hinder work in organizations. The focus will be on understanding how to effectively manage performance and change in today’s complex business environment.
A study of the application of the science of management in the operations management environment. Primary emphasis placed on the theories, principles, and tools that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the operations manager.
This course teaches students to appreciate and critically evaluate the ways management employs technology to advance the objectives of business and industry. Topics include IT infrastructure and new technologies in use, including AI, managing digital applications to meet operational expectations, and ethical challenges inherent in increased access to customer information. Note: Students may also satisfy this major requirement with the successful completion of DATA 3000.
This course addresses the legal and ethical implications of business decisions. Using texts, case studies, and current issues, students will study topics including hiring policies and practices, workplace culture, contracts and negotiation, workplace safety, and antitrust issues. The emphasis in each topic covered will be understanding the ethical underpinning of a proposed action or policy.
An internship is designed to give students direct exposure and experience working in a professional environment. It requires, and develops, both content knowledge and soft skills. Pre-majors may consider an exploratory internship in any area; majors are encouraged to complete an internship in the discipline in which they desire to work after graduation. Students will work with the department faculty and the Assistant Director of the Career Planning Center to initiate the internship request. Since this is an academic experience, students will develop a learning contract in collaboration with the site supervisor, will complete written reflections during the semester, and will complete a portfolio at the end of the semester. Students may choose to complete more than one internship, but no more than 6 credit hours may be applied toward the student’s graduation requirements.
The seminar allows students to conduct in-depth research on a current global business issue. While general guidance is provided by the instructor, students will be expected to work independently on the approved research topic(s) to examine issues from multiple perspectives and to make recommendations to resolve or mitigate those issues. In addition to submitting the research paper, students will present their findings during a scheduled Contact Hour.
This course provides a comprehensive overview for the fundraising, donor relations, non-profit, premium seating, and ticket sales profession. Students are provided with an ethical foundation and are introduced to basic terminology and concepts in the field. Topics will include major gift fundraising, annual funds, booster club organizations, priority seating programs, and benefits, the importance of donor research in the fund raising process, and the process from development to the transaction. Students will gain real experience in developing new skills for the job market.
This course will examine historical and philosophical aspects of sports management while giving an overview of current issues and career opportunities in sports management. The course will provide introductory exposure to: the historical evolution of sports, the role of media in sports, and legal and ethical issues in sports management. Students will formulate personal and career goals.
This course examines the world of sports as a business and will focus on attracting the ultimate customer—sports fans—in an increasingly competitive, fragmented and global service. The course will discuss the management of sports at professional, collegiate and special event levels focusing on the role marketing plays in planning and decision making in attracting fans and the other major customer—sponsors. Other topical areas will include: sports branding; athlete management; globalization; event sponsorship and marketing; media involvement; fantasy sports; sports vendors; sports innovations and the value and ROI of investing in sports. Students will study current opportunities and threats facing sports and entertainment properties and trends that may impact the future of sports and its various audiences. Guest experts will lecture in various classes giving students a firsthand opportunity to ask questions of sports marketing and management leaders.
This course will examine selected legal, financial, and policy issues and disputes that arise in the business of sports. The course will also include (to the maximum degree possible) discussions about new landmark judicial decisions, as well as, significant NCAA infractions cases and Olympic sports arbitration awards. Students are also provided an opportunity to debate complex issues related to the application of antitrust, labor, and intellectual property law to sports.
This course will provide students with the skills necessary to effectively manage sport and fitness facilities and events. This course will examine all of the facets of public assembly facility management as they relate to sports arenas, ballparks, stadiums and other venues. Among the topics to be presented and explored will be: event booking, finance, marketing, operations, scheduling, staffing and ticketing.
All Sport s Management majors are required to complete an internship during the fall, spring, or summer session. The course presents a valuable learning opportunity for a student to work in a professional environment and expand his or her understanding of the practical applications of the business of sports. After the internship application is approved by the Career Center and the grading faculty instructor, the student will develop a learning contract to specify the site supervisor's expectations, what the student anticipates learning, and how that learning will be assessed. It is possible for a student to repeat an internship (at the same or a different site) upon the approval of the grading faculty instructor.
