Department of Sport Management

Faculty: Associate Professor Jisha, Chair; Associate Professor Smucker; Assistant Professors Bender, Tudor, Weiner; Associate Teaching Professor/Internship Coordinator Flynn.

The Department of Sport Management provides students with a combination of sport business theory and practical experience to prepare them for a successful career in the sport industry. The curriculum consists of sport management courses, 16 credit hours from the Sykes College of Business and a 12 credit-hour internship with a sport organization. The UT Sport Management Program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

The department emphasizes the importance of experiential learning and provides numerous opportunities for students to interact through internships and volunteer experiences with Tampa Bay area sport organizations. Potential employment segments include professional sport teams, collegiate athletic departments, sport facilities, sport marketing and management agencies, resorts and recreational facilities.

Upon completion of the sport management program, students are expected to:

1. Demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills and apply them to the sport business industry.
2. Articulate and apply the understanding of sport management content knowledge (in event and facility management, sport marketing, sport sales, legal aspects in sport, risk management in sport, financial aspects in sport, administrative concepts in sport, media and communication in sport, social issues in sport and sport management research) required of professionals in the field.
3. Demonstrate the skills and attitudes necessary to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a sport management organization.
4. Articulate and apply the relevant ethical principles and attitudes expected of a sport management professional.
5. Demonstrate and apply effective oral and written communication skills needed in the sport business world.
6. Demonstrate self-direction as an independent, self-confident professional with a commitment to continued professional growth, development, networking and life-long learning.