Sport Management

A major in sport management prepares students for careers in the sport and leisure industry in areas such as sport marketing and management, athletic administration, public relations and sports information.

Housed in the School of Business Administration, sport management majors are provided opportunities to work with sport and recreation professionals in interscholastic, intercollegiate, private, public and professional sport settings. Program completion leads to the bachelor of business administration degree. The master of business administration program is also available to qualified students.

What makes the program distinctive?

The Stetson University sport management program is distinctive because of the combination of high-level academics with high-level sport organization internship opportunities.

Stetson University is well-positioned to offer its sport management majors unique real-world work experiences with the following sport organizations: International Speedway Corporation, LPGA, AAU National Headquarters, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Daytona Cubs, Orlando Magic, Volusia County Parks and Recreation and the Stetson University Department of Athletics.

Academics and Research

Independent research

Sport management students have conducted senior research projects investigating various issues in the following areas: intercollegiate athletics (basketball, softball, baseball, football, cheerleading) and professional sports (MLB, NFL, MLS, WNBA, NBA).

Facilities and opportunities

The sport management program has recently moved to the School of Business Administration and is housed in the marketing department. Sport management students are afforded the luxury of being positioned in the Central Florida area which houses several professional sport organizations. Several of our students complete internship and volunteer experiences at these professional sport organization sites.

Preparation for graduate study

Several sport management students have gone on to graduate school. Students prepare for graduate school by completing a senior research project in their area of interest. Students also gain valuable experience through internships and volunteer opportunities.

Awards and Recognition

Distinguished faculty

Our faculty members include Dr. Matt Wilson, a former college and professional baseball player, and college-level coach. His areas of expertise include intercollegiate athletics, sport law and coaching education. Other faculty members include Dr. Betsy Clark, former vice president of player development for the LPGA; Elizabeth Galloway, former general counsel and deputy commissioner at the LPGA, and Randy Rorrer, a sport journalist with over 25 years of experience.

Undergraduate awards and honors

Each year the sport management department awards it most accomplished students with the prestigious Sport Management Scholarship and Service Award.

Beyond the Classroom

Internships

The field experience/internship program is an integral part of the sport management major. The program benefits from ready access to Stetson University's NCAA Division I athletics program, fielding 15 men's and women's teams. Sport management students also have opportunities for internships/field experiences in private and professional organizations that provide "hands-on" learning. Past internships have included experiences with the Orlando Magic, Florida Marlins, Baltimore Ravens, NASCAR, USTA, minor league baseball and hockey teams, private golf and tennis clubs, ESPN Wide World of Sports, IMG Academy, LPGA, Volusia County Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins.

After Stetson

Diverse careers

Sport management alumni are employed by many top-level sport organizations including the Orlando Magic (director of public relations), Baltimore Ravens (sport marketing), Walt Disney World (director of golf), Old Dominion University (basketball coach), NASCAR (hospitality services and new media), LPGA (new business development), University of South Florida (assistant athletic director), University of South Alabama (basketball coach), Daytona State College (basketball coach), and Western Carolina University and Bethune-Cookman College (sports information). Several graduates currently work as sport agents. Some alumni have also chosen to continue study at the graduate level or to enter professional schools.