The undergraduate sport management specialization offers professional preparation in the application of business principles to the sport industry. Students will complete a degree program that includes courses in accounting, management, marketing, economics, and computer applications. Sport management courses will focus on the business aspects of sport in culture, sports information, interscholastic intercollegiate and professional sports, facility management, sport ethics, sport marketing, sport law, and sport finance.
The sport management degree program at Winthrop University has received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The sport management programs in the following degrees are accredited by COSMA:
COSMA Student Learning Outcome Matrix (PDF - 350 kb)
Sport management positions carry a variety of job titles. Program directors in community sport programs, marketing and promotions director, academic services for student-athletics, corporate sales director, director of ticketing and finance, sporting goods sales representative, intramural director of campus recreation, facilities coordinator, athletic director, compliance director, athletic business manager, and fitness manager are all sport management titles.
Job responsibilities vary with the type of organization, area of the sport industry, and level of management. All involve business aspects of sport, and normally include 50- to 60-hour weeks, including night and weekend hours of employment. Job duties may involve working with corporations in special event promotions and sponsorships. It may also include accounting, ticketing, and financial operations of a sporting event or program. Additional responsibilities might include developing a risk management plan for dealing with current legal issues in sport. The sport manager may be involved in facility and event management, sport broadcasting and media relations, or the sales of sporting goods and licensed sport products.
The career field of sport management is extremely competitive. The majority of jobs will require a practicum for "hands on" experience in the industry. Undergraduate practicum usually do not pay; however, academic credit hours are earned toward graduation and the opportunity to network and learn from professions in the field is provided. Beginning salary ranges in educational institutions may range from $18,000 to $25,000. Minor league professional sport starting positions will usually pay in the low 20s. Sporting goods jobs are often composed of basic salary plus commissions. The opportunity to advance within the professional is usually present, with the 1994 Team Marketing Report stating the following average salaries: vice-president of marketing, major league level - $114,444; director of marketing, major league level - $76,785; general manager, minor league - $62,500; and assistant general manager, minor league - $35,166.
There are many benefits in working sport management jobs. The opportunity to work with people who share a common bond of the love of sport provides an enjoyable work setting. Health and wellness benefits are usually excellent in this field.
The sport industry has grown dramatically in the past decade and promises to continue to expand. Jobs in marketing and promotions, sports information, academic student services, and development within intercollegiate sports are often available. Other employment opportunities exist in professional sports with event management and community relations. Still others employment options exist in sporting goods, sports agents, arena management, and interscholastic athletic administration.