BA in Sports Management

Bachelor of Arts in Sports Administration

In 1972. St. Thomas University, Miami, Fl,  pioneered the first undergraduate Sports Administration program in the nation. Developed by a group of nationally recognized sports executives, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sports Administration blends liberal arts, business, and sports administration courses in a curriculum designed to prepare students for management positions in the sports industry.

Transform your passion and love for sports by immersing yourself into a program tailored to teach our students everything related to sports management & sports administration. By acquiring a sports administration degree you’ll not only gain a rich foundation of knowledge in what goes on behind the scenes of sports by getting an intense look at the business aspect of the world we love but you’ll be able to examine the business interactions that take place as well. You’ll also learn how you can make those interactions more profitable and beneficial for every person and interest involved.

We know that when athletes step on the field to play the game we obsess over, everything else is irrelevant. It’s the drive to understand and master the concepts of business and learning how the interactions and transactions impact the game that we look for in our sports management students.

The Sports Administration field encompasses elements of:

  • Economics
  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Psychology 
  • Law
  • Communications

Meeting and networking with adjunct professors and guest speakers who represent various sports organizations, is a great benefit of the program. Internships are an integral part of the full educational preparation for a management position in sports. They can be completed locally, from the vast number of opportunities, while taking the required coursework.

The BA program requires 120 credit hours, including 33 hours of Sports Administration major courses. Multiple majors, minors, or transfer credits can be accommodated with the BA. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for a complete description of the curriculum.

 

BA in Sports Management Degree Highlights

  • St Thomas University started the nation’s first Sports Administration undergraduate program in 1973
  • Prepares students for a leadership role in the professional sports industry
  • Combines business principles and industry-specific aspects of managing in a collegiate or corporate environment
  • Provides you with the opportunity to meet and network with adjunct professors, alumni and guest speakers who represent various sports organizations

Career Landscape

Those who earn a BA in Sports Management from St. Thomas University will be fully prepared for a number of career possibilities in a variety of organizations, including professional sports teams, college athletics departments, sports media and marketing, merchandising, leisure and recreational services, and more. 

Management positions available in the following organizations: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, ATP, WTA, PGA, LPGA, MLS, NASL, NASCAR, NCAA, NAIA, as well as various events, governing organizations, and manufacturers in the sports industry.

What Can You Do with a Sports Management Degree –>

Some of the Sports Management jobs include but aren’t limited to:

 

  • Athletic Director

  • Sports Information Director

  • General Manager

  • Events Manager/Coordinator

  • Fundraising/Major Gifts Director

  • Business Operations Manager

  • Advertising Director

  • Marketing Director

  • Facilities Director

  • Sports and Wellness Director

  • Financial Management Director

  • Parks and Recreation Director

  • Youth Sports Director

  • Sports Advertising Sales Manager

  • Athletics Communications Director

  • Athletics Director for Compliance

  • Compensation Consultant

  • Customer Relations Director

  • Media Relations Director

  • Programs and Assessment Director

  • Community Services Director

  • Event Marketing Specialist

  • Guest Services Manager

  • Operations Coordinator

  • Program Manager

  • Sports Camp Director

  • Sports Marketing Manager

 

Featured Alumni

Al Avila ’86, general manager of the Detroit Tigers, has been with the  Tigers for 15 years. Under his leadership, the Tigers have won the American League Pennant in 2006 and 2012, and won four straight AL Central titles from 2011-2014


Andy Elisburg ’89, general manager and senior vice president of operations for the Miami Heat, joined the franchise in its inaugural 1988 season. For the past 21 years, he has been working in basketball operations, and has played an integral role in salary cap planning and basketball operations management, while overseeing the day-to-day operations at American Airlines Arena.


Dave Gettleman ’86, general manager of the New York Giants, has been a part of seven Super Bowl teams, including three winners. He was with Buffalo in 1990 and 1991, Denver in 1997, the Giants in 2000, 2007 and 2011, and Carolina in 2015. The Broncos and the 2007 and 2011 Giants both won the championship.

Featured Professors

  • Dr. Seok-Ho Song, Sports Administration Professor and Advisor. Over 10 years of experience.
  • Dr. Robert Epling, Associate Professor of Sports Administration and Advisor. Over 20 years of experience.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog to see admission requirements.

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