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Sport Management (SMGT)
Coordinator: Mark Zajack (Associate Professor)
- Major: Sport Management
- Courses required for major: 11
- Capstone: SMGT 440
The major in Sport Management provides a strong focus on foundational theories, interdisciplinary knowledge, and practical application in the sports industry. Students will develop business, leadership, and communication skills and gain a broad understanding of the social and cultural contexts in which those skills are applied. A focus on ethical approaches to management provides students with the knowledge and strategies to promote gender and racial equity across sports organizations. The core of the major addresses key administrative, monetary, and legal aspects of the sports industry along with an emphasis on gaining significant practical experience with sports organizations.
In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of the major encourages students to explore their individual areas of interest. A student interested in the business aspects of sport may take electives in areas such as marketing, finance, economics, accounting, and communication. Students interested in human performance and leadership may take electives in management, psychology, sociology, exercise science, and anthropology. Sport management majors engage in critical thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary coursework that strengthens their ability to analyze complex issues. This major prepares students for diverse careers in the sport industry by combining practical, industry-focused learning with the adaptability and perspective that defines a liberal arts education.
Major Requirements
Core courses
SMGT 110 Introduction to Sport Management
SMGT 310 Financial Management in Sport Organizations
SMGT 320 Sport Law & Governance
SMGT 440 Sport Management Capstone
Take two business-related courses from:
ACCT 110 Financial Accounting
BUS 228 Marketing Principles
BUS 238 Financial Management
BUS 244 Management & Organizational Behavior
BUS 300 Business & Society
ECON 111 Microeconomics
Take five courses, at least one of which is numbered 300 or higher, from a minimum of three prefixes:
ANTH 101 Ancient Bodies, Modern Lives
ANTH 310 Food & Culture
BIO 106 Cells, Genes & Society
BIO 107 Human Biology
BIO 115 Medical Terminology and BIO 116 First Aid/CPR (2 credits each)
BUS any course 310 or higher
CMS 221 Event Management
CMS 222 Entertainment Industry Promotion
CMS 327 Sports & Media
DSCI 101 Introduction to Data Science
ECON 241 Introduction to Economic Research
EXSC 110 Introduction to Exercise Science
MATH 123 Introduction to Statistics
PHIL 216 Business Ethics
PSY 110 Introductory Psychology
PSY 342 Health Psychology
SOC 240 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
SOC 241 Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
SMGT 210 Special Topics in Sport Management
SMGT 430 Sport Management Practicum
110
INTRODUCTION TO SPORT MANAGEMENT
Introduces students to the business, leadership, and operational foundations of the sports industry, with a focus on how teams, events, and organizations are managed in today’s competitive sports landscape. Explores the need for ethical approaches to management, addressing issues of gender and racial bias in sport with an eye toward fostering a more inclusive environment. Not open to juniors or seniors.
210
SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
Explores emerging issues, trends, and innovations shaping the sports industry. Topics vary by offering. May be repeated once for credit when topics are different. Prerequisite: SMGT 110 or consent of instructor.
310
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN SPORT ORGANIZATIONS
Introduces students to the essential financial principles that guide decision-making in professional, collegiate, and nonprofit sport settings. The course explores budgeting, revenue generation, financial analysis, economic impact, and the unique financial structures that shape teams, events, and facilities. Prerequisite: SMGT 110 and BUS 238 or ACCT 110, or consent of instructor.
320
SPORT LAW & GOVERNANCE
Provides students with a clear foundation in the legal frameworks and organizational structures that shape modern sports organizations. The course examines key areas such as risk management, contracts, compliance, athlete rights, and the governance models used by professional, collegiate, and amateur sport bodies. Students learn how rules, policies, and legal decisions influence operations and leadership, preparing them to navigate the regulatory landscape of the sports industry with confidence. Prerequisite: SMGT 110 or consent of instructor.
430
SPORT MANAGEMENT PRACTICUM
Gives students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world sports setting through supervised, hands-on work with a professional, collegiate, or community sport organization. The course emphasizes practical skill development, professional communication, and reflective learning as students engage in day-to-day operations, event support, or administrative tasks. Students work 10-12 hours per week for their sponsor organizations, in addition to attending a weekly seminar on management topics relevant to their work assignments. To be enrolled in the course, students must submit a resume, cover letter, and recommendation letters, complete an interview with the department, and may be required to interview with the host organization for placement. Prerequisites: completion of at least one SMGT 300-level course, or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
440
SPORT MANAGEMENT CAPSTONE
Challenges students to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and experience gained throughout the program to a research study or comprehensive sport industry project. This course provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate applied knowledge, critical thinking, ethical judgment, and effective communication skills necessary for early-career roles in sport management. Prerequisites: completion of two SMGT 300-level courses, or consent of instructor.