Sport Management

This course acquaints students with sport as a reflector and transmitter of values incorporated into the nature of sports in our society. Topics include sport and mass media, violence in sport, deviant behavior and sport, issues of race and culture in sport, and gender in sport.

This course will seek to provide you an overview of the sport industry and cover the basic fundamental knowledge and skill sets required of a sport manager. This course introduces topics such as management; leadership and governance; communications and media; sport marketing and sales; sponsorship; sport finance and economics; facility and event management; legal principles; ethics; and global sport. You will explore the aforementioned topics in order to make links between the segments, delineate larger concepts and issues within each, and draw conclusions related to overreaching policy implications. Offered fall.

This course will give an overview of sport communications and media. Topics will include models of sport communication, careers in sports media, traditional and new forms of media, advertising, public relations, media relations, broadcasting, values and ethics, and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in sport media.

This course will examine the history of sports in the United States and the world from the colonial period to the present. During the semester, you will learn how various types of sports emerged, how views and functions of sports changed over time, and how the world of sports often transcends athletic competition. Throughout the course you will be asked to consider how sports has mirrored and sometimes shaped issues around race, ethnicity, gender, class, amateurism, professionalism and politics. Offered fall. Exploration area: History.

The importance of media and communications in sport has escalated with the advent of recent technology, increasing media consumption, and social media use. This course is designed to introduce students to the management of communication in the sport profession. Students will explore a range of professional settings, specializations, and the specific challenges and opportunities related to the growth of sports media. Topics will include models of sport communication, careers in sports media, traditional and new forms of media, advertising, public relations, media relations, broadcasting, values and ethics, and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in sport media.  

The philosophy of sport course explores metaphysical, axiological, ethical, epistemological, and aesthetic questions about sport. Critical thinking, writing, and reasoning skills are developed though the examination of topic areas within the philosophy of sport. Topics covered involve aspects associated with foundations of philosophy, exploring the meaning of sport and games, theories of ethics, rights and responsibilities, concepts of morality, questions of social responsibility, equity and fairness in sport, and application of critical reasoning skills. Exploration area: Humanities.

The primary focus of this course is the multifaceted aspects of facility and event management. Course materials are designed to explore the many aspects of sport event and facility management including sport event operations, facility design and construction, human resource management, risk management, liability and negligence, revenues and expenses, ticketing and box office management, alcohol and food management, and contracts.

Students are introduced to moral and ethical issues related to sport leadership.  The development of a personal code of ethics and an understanding of social responsibility in the sport management setting are specific goals of this course.   In addition, the course focuses on the skills, roles and functions of sport managers as they relate to leadership and governance of sport organizations.  Students will be challenged to integrate management and leadership theories with governance and policy practices.  Specifically, this course concentrates on the governance structure, organization, and policy issues of various amateur and professional sport organizations. (WI)

This course gives students the opportunity to gain field experience in a sport or recreational organization related to a professional interest. The course requires 50 hours of work under the supervision of an approved sport or recreational professional. Students will also complete the Sports Career Game Plan online through Work in Sports and meet with the faculty instructor regularly to discuss the field experience and other issues related to professional preparedness for work in the sport enterprise.

This course provides students with the opportunity to gain field experience in a sport or recreational organization related to an area of professional interest. The course requires 50 hours of work under the supervision of an approved sport or recreational professional. Students will also complete the Sports Career Game Plan online through Work in Sports and meet with the faculty instructor regularly to discuss the field experience and other issues related to professional preparedness for work in the sport enterprise. 

This 120-hour course (3 credits) for sport management majors is organized to allow students to obtain professional experience in a setting relevant to industry interest. Graded Pass/Fail.

Gender issues and sport will be examined through a multidisciplinary approach utilizing theoretical constructs. Biophysical, sociocultural, political, sexual and legislative perspectives will be explored.

This course is intended to prepare students to successfully organize, administer, and facilitate athletic programs at the interscholastic, intercollegiate, and recreational levels. Topics include leadership, organizational design, hiring, staff development, performance evaluation, compensation strategies, scheduling, programming, fundraising, fiscal management, legal issues, health and safety issues, and equipment and facility maintenance. Challenges and standards associated with administration and programming are considered.

This course will provide students with an understanding of financial theories and principles utilized in the sport industry. Topics will include the preparation of financial plans, strategic budgeting, capital and operating budgets, sources of revenue, supply and demand concepts in the sport industry, and other financial theories pertinent to sport industry professionals.

This course is an overview of current theory and practice in coaching education. Topics include sport pedagogy, physiology, psychology, administration, and risk management. This course addresses issues common across all levels of performance and competition as well as issues specific to child, youth, and collegiate coaching. Principles of coaching are applied in a laboratory setting. Offered fall of odd-numbered years.

This is an integrative experience course (IE) designed to examine sport from a global perspective.  The purpose of an IE course is to examine a central topic from the perspectives of multiple disciplines.  In this course we will use the phenomenon of sport to explore its political, socio economical, historical, cultural, ethnic, gender and racial impact on the world around us. We will also explore the relationship of sports in the context of nationalism, capitalism, business and corruption.

This course extends student understanding of basic marketing principles and applies that understanding to sales and marketing in sport business. Topics include sales and marketing aspects of sport, economic research and feasibility studies, data collection, segmentation, analysis, consumer behavior, public relations, sponsorships, media, promotion, placement, networking, and cultivating sales opportunity.

The capstone course is designed to provide senior students with opportunities to engage in high-level inquiry and project management focusing on an area of interest within the sport management profession. Students will engage in a comprehensive, synthesizing project applying the knowledge and skills developed throughout the program. The capstone experience aims to bridge theory and practice and provide substantive professional skills and experience for students.

This course examines the legal aspects of sport (i.e., coaching; administering fitness; instructional, recreational, and athletic programs; sport marketing). Areas of study include but are not limited to:  constitutions; legislative enactments; case law related to administrative, constitutional, contract, labor, product liability, and tort law; and risk management techniques.

This 200-hour minimum experience in exercise and sport sciences is organized to allow for student participation in programs relevant to the student’s major and interests.  This final required internship experience serves as an opportunity to apply and more fully develop those professional competencies necessary for a successful work experience.  Graded Pass/Fail.

The capstone course is designed to provide senior students with opportunities to engage in high-level inquiry and project management focusing on an area of interest within the sport management profession. Students will engage in a comprehensive, synthesizing project applying the knowledge and skills developed throughout the sport management program. The capstone experience aims to bridge theory and practice and provide substantive professional skills and experience for students.