Why major in Business Administration-Sport Management?

If you’re a sports enthusiast and want to learn how to participate in the business side of the industry, majoring in Business Administration-Sport Management can be a fun and lucrative major to launch your career.

Professor writes on whiteboard in front of business class.

Program Distinctives

As a student at the Coleman College of Business, you’ll have the opportunity to complete internships specific to your area of study. Sport management students have completed internships with the NBA Dallas Mavericks, the Lexington Legends minor league baseball team and recreational centers in various cities. Students have also gained experience in local organizations, such as the Pikeville Area Family YMCA and the Appalachian Wireless Arena, as well as on-campus offices, including those of UPIKE’s director of athletics, athletic trainers and more than 20 athletic teams.

UPIKE business student Brianna Rowe is pictured on campus

Interesting Courses

BUS 373 – Globalization of Sport Industry
This course provides an analysis of the impact of the globalization of sport in relation to the organization and management of international sports, including the Olympic movement and the examination of U.S. amateur and professional sports. A comprehensive investigation of international governance, political, social, and economic issues which leagues and corporations must consider in conducting business in foreign markets. Several key areas of international business, as they relate to sport business, are explored including the scale, scope and organization of global sports, globalization, internationalization, cultural aspects, international marketing, political risk, financial/economic risk, human rights, ethical dimensions, role of media, technology and professional sport leagues. Critical thinking skills are enhanced with the use of case situations and group discussions related to the organizational, social, and cultural differences of the global sport community.

BUS 497 – Sport Management Seminar
This course includes on-the-job learning in a sport management setting. Field experience involving supervised contact with Sport administrators. Forty-five contact hours per semester hour credit is required.

Student taking notes in class

Student Learning Outcomes

As a UPIKE graduate with a business administration degree in sport management, you’ll be prepared as a successful leader and communicator and benefit from both foundational business courses and those specific to sport management. Should you choose to complete an internship, you’ll get to apply your knowledge in a business setting and leave with a real-world, practical understanding of sport management. Additionally, you’ll be equipped with the ability to design, conduct and apply research; analyze quantitative and qualitative data; understand the sport management job hierarchy; and implement a marketing plan and set corporate objectives relevant sport management.

Career paths in Sports Management

Athletics Administrator
Coach
Marketing Director
Sport Accountant
Sport Broadcaster
Sport Journalist

Where Recent Graduates have gone to work or study

Dallas Mavericks
Appalachian Wireless Arena
Lexington Legends
Pikeville Area Family YMCA
Rome Braves

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

“The UPIKE Sport Management program and college of business are filled with incredibly intelligent professors who bring enthusiasm and excitement to academics. They take a special interest in their students’ academic careers and goals and strive to make sure their students graduate, not only as better students, but also as better people altogether. This program and its professors did more for me than I could have ever imagined. They helped me and prepared me to achieve goals in life that I never knew were possible.”

SIMONE BEESON /CLASS OF 2014 /BASEBALL COACH, MURIEL WILLIAMS BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL /COLUMBIA, MO

Contact

Chris Harris

Dean, Coleman College of Business
(606) 218-5517
christopherharris@upike.edu