Sport Management
The Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management is designed for students with a career interest in athletic administration, coaching, personal training, sports media and business. The primary goals of this program are to develop an in-depth knowledge of managerial planning, organization and administration, evaluated within the context of a sport organization, and develop competent leaders who desire to continue their study in a graduate program focusing on Sport Management.
The Sport Management Program is built upon a strong foundation that consists of seven powerful Pillars of Learning:
- Leadership
- The management of people, facilities, and organizations
- The design, development and marketing of sport programs and sporting events
- The financial management of sport and sport organizations
- Ethics, law, safety, and compliance in sport
- Outstanding communication skills in speaking, writing and making presentations
- Successful personal career preparation and career development, while understanding the high level of skills, knowledge, commitment, and hard work on a daily basis that is required for success in the field of sport due to the quantity and quality of competition
What You'll Study
All of the courses in our Sport Management program are designed to fulfill the fundamental principles of all seven pillars of our Sport Management program. Therefore, every course will include components from each of the seven pillars within the course so our students will come to understand every aspect of each crucial pillar. The courses will help you develop the inherent and ingrained ability to consider and allow for all seven pillars with every challenge and decision you are faced with throughout your careers.
Some of the topics you will study are leadership in sport, sport finance, sport law, organization and administration of sport programs, sport facilities and venue management, and contemporary issues of sport.
Beyond the Classroom
Our Sport Management students gain valuable and rewarding experiences outside of the classroom. These experiences include excellent internships with championship-winning professional sports teams, golf resorts, our Lees-McRae Athletic Department, area ski resorts, the YMCA, and sports development organizations.
After Graduation
The sport industry has many opportunities for graduates who are interested in professional sports, college and high school sports, amateur athletics, community sport programming, sport in the corporate sector, and sport for development. As the sport industry continues to grow, new career opportunities are becoming available in areas such as business, recreation, and facility and event management. Sport professionals find themselves in a unique and rewarding industry that crosses paths with many other industries.
Career information is provided through Vault and O'Net. Current Lees-McRae students can see the full results on Vault using their student email and password.
Alumni Succeess
Desean Motley
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Lees-McRae
Graduate Spotlight: Kasey Rusling ’14
Assistant to the Executive Director of Stadium Operations
Major: Sport Administration
"After graduation from Lees-McRae, I attended graduate school at East Tennessee State University for my master's degree in sport management. During my time there, I was fortunate to receive an internship with the Carolina Panthers in their Guest Relations department. Through that internship, I was able to begin work full-time as the Assistant to the Executive Director of Stadium Operations, while still helping out the Guest Relations department. Lees-McRae was and still is a huge part of my life. Attending Lees-McRae was the best decision I have ever made, because it helped me shape my future. Without it and the people/professors I met along the way, I wouldn't be where I am today!"
Meet the Faculty
Joshua Pate, PhD
Dean of Business and Management
Program Coordinator and Professor of Sport Management