Undergraduate Program

Sport Management

Individuals receiving a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management obtain professional preparation in the application of business principles applicable to the sport industry.

Students complete a business administration minor that includes courses in:

• accounting
• management
• marketing
• economics
• business law
• computer applications

Sport Management courses focus on the business aspects of:

• sport in culture
• professional sports
• interscholastic and intercollegiate sports
• facility management
• sport ethics
• sport marketing
• sport law
• sport finance

Typical Job Titles:

Sport management positions vary among organizations including:

• program director in community sport programs
• marketing and promotions director
• director academic services for student-athletes
• corporate sales director
• director of ticketing finance
• sporting goods sales representative
• facilities coordinator
• athletic director
• compliance director
• athletic business manager
• fitness manger

Typical Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities also vary according to the type of organization, segment of the sport industry, and level of management.

Some positions may involve any of the following:

• the business aspects of sport
• 50-60 hour work week, including night and weekend hours of employment
• working with sponsors in promotional and fund-raising activities
• accounting
• ticketing
• oversight of sporting events or programs
• facility management
• management of risks associated with current legal issues
• sales of sporting goods and licensed sport products

Market Outlook:

The employment outlook in sport management is expanding tremendously and has been over the past few years. The foreseeable future is very positive for this field and is growing rapidly, especially in the area of marketing and promotions.

Salaries:

Job opportunities in the sport management field are extremely competitive. Most entry-level positions require a practicum or internship for hands-on-experience in the industry.

Many positions in professional sports require a Master's degree and six to nine month internships. Undergraduate practica usually do not pay; however, academic credit hours are earned toward graduation, and opportunities exist to network and learn from professionals in the field.

Beginning salaries range in educational institutions from $18,000 to $25,000. Starting positions in the minor league professional sports pay in the low $20s. Compensation in sport goods jobs commonly consists of a base salary plus commission. Although beginning salaries in sport may seem low, the ability to make a comfortable living for motivated individuals does exist.

Team Marketing Report states the following examples for average salaries:

• Vice-Presicent of Marketingt, major leagure level, $114,444
• Director of Marketing, major league level, $76,785
• General Manager, minor league level, $62,500
• Assistant General Manager, minor league level, $35,656

Placement of Graduates

Southern Miss graduates in sport management currently occupy positions with organizations such as the Oakland Athletics, New Orleans Saints, Mississippi Sea Wolves, Collegiate Licensing Company, NCAA, MLS, and the Atlanta Braves. They also occupy positions at a number of colleges and universities, including Virginia Military Institute, Syracuse University, University of Maine, The University of Southern Mississippi, University of Florida, Central Florida University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Tennessee Athletic Department.

University Core (38 hrs)

Written and Oral Communication (9 hrs)

• ENG 101
• Eng 102
• Senior Capstone

Global History and Culture (12 hrs)

• HIS 101
• HIS 103
• ENG 203
• ANT 101 or GHY 101 or SOC 101

Aesthetic Values (3 hrs)

• ART 130 or DAN 130 or MUS 365 or THE 100
• Basic Science and Mathematics (11 hrs)
• 2 approved lab sciences and MAT 101
• Decision Making and Responsibility
• COH 100 or COH 101 or ECO 101 or PHI 171 or PS 101 or PSY 110

Sport Management Core Courses (33 hrs):

• HPR 307 Organization and Administration of Sport Programs
• HPR 330 Issues in Sport Administration
• HPR 332 Sport Information Management
• HPR 405 Governing Agencies in Sport
• HPR 410 Sport Promotion
• HPR 412 Sport Enterprise
• HPR 414 Personal and Organizational Ethics in Sport
• HPR 419 Practicum (6 hrs)
• HPR 434 Facility Design and Maintenance
• HPR 468 Sport Law

Other Required Courses (27 hrs):

• ENG 333 Technical Writing
• SEM 111 Public Speaking
• CSC 100 Intro to Computing
• ACC 200 Intro to Financial Accounting
• ECO 201 Principles of Economics
• ACC 300 Managerial Accounting
• MGT 300 Organizational Management
• MIS 300 Management Information Systems
• MKT 300 Principles of Marketing

Electives (26 hr):

Any 26 hours of classes approved by the student's adviser.

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