Sports Management

Lead faculty: Professor Debbie Lazorik

Click here for the Sports Management major degree audit

Click here for the Sports Management minor degree audit

Sport management as an academic discipline has seen its inception and rapid development occur in the last 40 years. During that time curriculua have shifted from a basis in physical education to specific focuses rooted in business, economics and communications. As the sport industry has evolved into a global market-place, so too must the academic courses of the field to properly prepare students for the world of work. These opportunities range from community groups through all grades of school systems, into colleges and universities and reach professional sports. Recreation is now a serious business and requires management. Like wise, the increasing interest in health/wellness and the increased media surrounding professional sports is providing career and entrepreneurial opportunities for qualified graduates.


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Pictured at right, students from SMGT 334, Sport Facilities and Event Management, get ready with event organuizers at the RSVP/Glenwood 5k Run.

A degree in sport management will prepare graduates for jobs in seven main career fields:

  • Professional sport management
  • Event and facility Management Marketing
  • Fitness Management
  • Sporting Goods Management and Sales
  • Sports Media
  • Athletic Administration
  • Community recreation, voluntary organizations e.g.YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America



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Alumnae Katie Stumpp visits. She serves as a fulltime intern with the NCAA compliance Office. In addition to her compliance work she also has a leadership role in the student-athlete services program. Katie has volunteered with the Indianapolis Special Olympics, Relay for Life, Final Four and the national track and field championships.



About the Sports Management Major - from a Sports Management Minor

"My experience at Marietta College as both a student in a liberal arts curriculum and an athlete at a Division III institution was paramount in preparing me for a career in intercollegiate athletics. Although my career path has shifted from coaching to academic support and athletics administration; a fundamental understanding gained from courses in which I enrolled during my time at Marietta College to complete a minor in Sports Management, has given me the knowledge essential for successful navigation of a fast-paced, high stress and diverse environment that is inherent in the world of sport. In response to the growing field of sports management and its unmatched revenue generating opportunities, I believe there is significant merit in offering an undergraduate degree in the area of Sports Management. In spite of the current global economic turmoil, the sport industry continues to grow; thereby sustaining a market for talented, hard working and well educated students. Offering an undergraduate degree in Sports Management is an unmatched opportunity for Marietta College to contribute to the global sport industry by educating well rounded students who will make significant contributions in their endeavors. While foundational courses provided a framework of understanding into the world of sport, an entire curriculum of Sport Management would serve to benefit any student wanting to enter athletics through a myriad of avenues from facility management and development to coaching and administration by providing specific coursework in all areas essential to athletics and the world of sport."

Alison Ruff ‘04 Magna cum Laude B.S. Mathematics Minor: Sport Management, Academic Support for Student-Athletes at North Carolina State University




Last updated: 21-October-2012, B&E Department webmaster