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2018-2019 Academic Catalog

Sport Leadership Concentration

The Sport Leadership concentration allows flexibility to design a course of study that meets your needs. Students in the Sport Leadership concentration are prepared to be effective leaders in the varied segments and businesses in the sport industry through the study of major themes of leadership in sport organizations, including executive and strategic planning, international sport management, managing diversity in sport organizations, fundraising and development, and the best practices and procedures of sport athletic governing bodies.

Course Code Course Title Credits
Choose 3 from the following:
MGMT743 Fundraising Concepts & Practices 3
SMGT707 Exec & Strat leadership in the Sport Ind 3
SMGT713 International Sport Management 3
SMGT722 Managing Sport Facilities/Special Events 3
SMGT732 The Use of Psychology in Leisure Studies 3
Core Courses
SMGT701 Historical & Current Issues in Sports 3
SMGT703 Sport Sponsorship & Marketing 3
SMGT704 Sport-Recreation-Tourism & the Law 3
SMGT705 Financial Mgmt in the Sport Industry 3
SMGT708 Leisure Studies Foundations 3
SMGT711 Sport & Rec Ldrship to Shape the Future 3
SMGT714 Administrative Procedures 3
SMGT780 Research & Design in the Sport Industry 3
Capstone Options
SMGT781 Writing & Reporting Research in Sport 3
SMGT797 Internship 3

Students pursuing the thesis option as their Capstone are required to take SMGT 781, Writing & Reporting Research in Sport, to fulfill their requirements.

Students pursuing the non-thesis option as their Capstone are required to take the following 3-credit course:
SMGT 797 Internship

SMGT 701 and SMGT 703 can be substituted for additional concentration courses. For example, if a student desires to take a majority of the courses listed under their designated concentration, the student may petition the Department Chair for permission to substitute those courses with concentration courses.

SMGT701 - Historical & Current Issues in Sports

This course analyzes contemporary issues including the use of performance enhancing drugs, gambling, escalating salaries, violence, and institutional cheating in sports. Case studies are investigated and students engage in critical thinking and discussions to understand what has created these issues.

SMGT702 - History & Function of Sport in Society

This course provides a historical, sociological, and operational analysis of sport and how it shapes our world. The effect that sport, as a microcosm of society, has on the moral, ethical, economic, social, political, and religious landscape of society is investigated.

SMGT703 - Sport Sponsorship & Marketing

This course gives students a thorough overview of the multi-billion dollar sport sponsorship and marketing industry. In this era of globalization, all facets of this growing industry are analyzed including advertising, promotions, sponsorships, product licensing, and market segmentation. Principles of marketing and marketing management and how these relate to the global sport industry are introduced.

SMGT704 - Sport-Recreation-Tourism & the Law

This course introduces the fundamental tenets of the law and familiarizes students with legal structure and basic legal terminology. Various aspects of law are examined including negligence, tort law and risk management, and how they impact the sports industry. In addition, legal issues that relate to professional sport leagues and amateur governing bodies are analyzed.

SMGT705 - Financial Mgmt in the Sport Industry

Financial Management in the Sport Industry is a study of the principles, theories, and competencies essential for working with the fiscal and economic conditions and factors involved in global sport organizations. This course will provide students with basic fiscal and economic principles, strategies, and techniques essential for the leadership, management, and administration of global sports programs. Course activities and requirements have been designed to familiarize the student with the fiscal, economic, budgeting, sources of funding, and impact analyses issues associated with sport in a global society.

SMGT706 - Introduction to Sport Management

This course provides a graduate level overview of general principles and practices of the sport industry, covering all facets of sport management, including management, leadership, marketing, laws, finance, and governance in the context of both professional and amateur sports. Students identify the unique features that help distinguish sport management from other similar disciplines. Students will gain an increased awareness of various career opportunities in the sport industry.

SMGT707 - Exec & Strat leadership in the Sport Ind

Executive and sStrategic leadership is often referred to as the highest level and most complex planning activity in any organization. This is also true for sport organizations. This course introduces students to the executive and strategic leadership processes in the sport industry and does so by placing them in the role of Commissioner, Athletic Director or Sport manager. In this role, students will be required to make and defend a broad range of strategic decisions. This class will focus almost exclusively on comprehensive case analysis, or the strategic analysis and decision-making processes used in the sport industry.

SMGT708 - Leisure Studies Foundation

This course will examine leisure behavior primarily from sociological, historical and philosophical perspectives, although current contributions to the understanding of leisure behavior will be incorporated when appropriate. Emphasis will be given to understanding the role of social and historical forces in shaping leisure behavior.

SMGT709 - Managing Diversity in Sport Organization

Managing Diversity in Sport Organizations offers an overview of various diversity and inclusion theories and examines the applications of these theories to sport organizations. Students will study the impact and interconnectedness of diversity issues, social responsiveness, and the financial performance of professional, sport organizations. Student will also discuss practical strategies to address diversity and inclusion faced by sport managers.

SMGT710 - Principles of Athletic Administration

This course provides the graduate student with an overview of the role and responsibilities of interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics; human resources; this course is designed to assist athletic directors enhance the operation of the athletic department. The training will serve as a valuable tool for new and veteran athletic administrators. Topics include rules and regulations, organization, health and safety, emergency procedures, athletic eligibility, office management, scheduling, officials, personnel evaluation, gender equity, budgeting/ finance; governance; operations and the management, planning, organization and administration of interscholastic/intercollegiate and recreational athletics.

SMGT711 - Sport & Rec Ldrship to Shape the Future

Examines the role of managers as ethical and responsible thought leaders, problem solvers and change agents. The complexities of, and challenges associated with, managing and leading change in a rapidly changing, international, diverse and information-based environment are emphasized. Through discussion, case analysis, role playing, decision-making simulations, and experiential exercises, students explore the responsibilities of contemporary business and the complex issues of leading and guiding organizations in a turbulent environment.

SMGT712 - Intercollegiate Rules & Procedures

This course explores the policies and procedures of intercollegiate governing bodies. Areas discussed are bylaws, rules, compliance, and athlete eligibility that apply to member institutions in America.

SMGT713 - International Sport Management

International Sport Management provides for the study of the principles, theories, and competencies essential for working with and in global organizations and leadership roles and responsibilities in the administration and management of programs across the international/global sports industry. Since material in this course deals with sociological, cultural, political, and economical issues subject to frequent change, the student should be able to identify contemporary national and international positions on these issues in sport.

SMGT714 - Administrative Procedures

his course addresses management practices and procedures within the sports and entertainment industry, with an emphasis on sports management procedures and operational scenarios. Students in this course explore professional and amateur athletics, organizational structures, sports operations and logistics, and sports business models

SMGT720 - Case Studies in Parks & Recreation

The overall objective of the course is to provide a broad survey of the roles of parks and recreation in our global society. We will focus primarily on issues related to the management of wild-lands (national parks and forests) as an environment for outdoor recreation.Current and historical relationships between recreation visitors, the resource base, and management policies are explored within the United States and as a global phenomenon. Additionally, issues related to recreation planning on multiple-use forest lands, parks, wilderness, protected areas and private lands are discussed. Understanding these roles provides the necessary intellectual footing to professional development and conveys to others how we got to where we are. More specifically, the course is designed to address the following questions:1. How do societies view the evolving roles and purpose of recreational spaces?2. How does recreation make a difference to our social, individual, & environmental lives?3. What types of recreation opportunities and experiences are valued in American society?4. What forms and structures does recreation and tourism take, domestically and internationally?5. What are the fundamental issues associated with managing visitors to wild-land settings and how do we address those issues?

SMGT721 - Intro to Sport Tourism & Hospitality

This course provides an overview of the basic organizational and business structure of the sport hospitality industry. Students examine the role hospitality plays in professional and collegiate sports, with particular focus on hosting patrons of sporting events.

SMGT722 - Managing Sport Facilities/Special Events

This course examines the processes for planning and managing major sporting events and their specific venues. Topics include crowd management, concession and alcohol management, medical emergency/evacuation plans, and facility design and maintenance.

SMGT723 - Sport Sales Strategies

This course provides an overview of strategies for premium seating, season ticket, group ticket and luxury suite sales. Box office ticket operations and database management as well as customer service and client retention principles are presented.

SMGT725 - Nature Based & Sustainable Tourism

This graduate level course covers the basics of nature tourism, a broad category that covers ecotourism, adventure tourism, and a variety of activities and programs involving the outdoors. An emphasis is placed on New England nature tourism and its multifaceted impacts.

SMGT726 - Trends & Issues in Recreation Management

This class will use current events and issues to examine the current state of the Parks and recreation field. The class will begin by setting the historical backdrop for the industry and then moving into current trends and issues to show how the industry got to its present state before moving on to potential solutions for the issues grounded in this knowledge.

SMGT727 - Trends & Theories in Sport Tourism/Hosp

The interconnections of sport and tourism will be analyzed from behavioral, historical, economic, management, marketing, environmental and policy perspectives.

SMGT731 - Ethical Non-Profit Sport Management

In this course, leaders in the sport non-profit sector demonstrate best practices by being cognizant of legal mandates, as well as ethical and fiscal responsibilities within the strategic organizational framework.

SMGT732 - The Use of Psychology in Leisure Studies

One of the major fields of study that influence social science is psychology. Psychology is the study of the way the human mind works and how it influences behavior. We all use the principles of psychology daily without realizing it. This class will link the principals of psychology to a multitude of leisure activates as well as the leisure industry.

SMGT780 - Research & Design in the Sport Industry

Research in Sport Management requires students to identify, describe, analyze, and report on a sport industry issue or problem at their own workplace by drawing on the relevant literature. The issue could be related to collective bargaining, the introduction of new technology in sport, sexual harassment, sport marketing, employment equity, overtime working, worker motivation and productivity, seniority, discipline, or management rights. Final product for the course is a research paper/project covering an in-depth analysis of a sport industry problem or issue, including a review of the literature, data analysis, and findings/recommendations. Prerequiste: Earned at least 21 credits &/or Permission of Instructor required

SMGT781 - Writing & Reporting Research in Sport

The purpose of this course is to provide students with tools for effective writing and reporting of research and projects in the sport industry. The prerequisite for this course is SMGT 780, Research & design in the Sport Industry, an introduction to research methods and designs in the sport industry. SMGT 781 will briefly review some important issues relating to writing and reporting of data and information across the sport industry. Writing and publication practices will be examined in relation to grant funding, publication, and professional presentations in Sport Management education and the Sport Industry.

SMGT797 - Internship

This three (3) credit course is designed for students to acquire field experience in the Sport Industry. 797 includes supervised work for 150 hours in a sport management setting. Practical experience can be gained in any number of positions including sales, marketing, public relations, operations, facilities, athletic administration (in schools or higher education), event management, or other segments of the sport industry. Prerequisite: Students must have completed a minimum of 27 credit hours & Instructor Approval

Cristina Haverty

Associate Vice President of Workforce Development and Global Engagement

Office: Alexander STC

Lori Rosenthal

Assistant Provost; Professor of Psychology

Office: Plummer

Janice Barrett

Professor Emerita

Keith Belmore

Associate Professor of Athletic Training and Graduate Chair of Athletic Training

Office: Alexander STC 104N

Linda Bucci

Professor & Program Chair of Justice Studies, Graduate Chair of Criminal Justice

Office: Plummer

Sarah Giasullo

Assistant Professor of Athletic Training; Graduate Chair of Health Sciences

Office: Alexander STC 104T

Elizabeth Hartmann

Professor of Education

Office: Brennan Library

Janet Huetteman

Graduate Chair of Management and Marketing; Associate Professor of Marketing

Office: 23 Maple Street, Office #5

Young-Tae Kim

Associate Professor of Sport Management; Graduate Interim Chair of Sport Management

Office: Alexandar STC

Ron Laham

Assistant Professor of Athletic Training/ Exercise Science

Office: Alexander STC

Amy Maynard

Professor of Education

Office: Brennan Library

Meryl Perlson

Chair of Communication; Professor of Communication

Office: Donahue 107

Matthew Reilly

Chair of Business and Interim Chair of Sport Management; Assistant Professor of Business

Office: DeArment

Claudia Rinaldi

The Joan Weiler Arnow ’49 Professor/Professor of Education, Chair of Education

Office: Brennan Library

Daniel Sargeant

Associate Professor of Sport Management

Office: Alexander STC

Nancy Waldron

Assistant Provost; Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management

Office: DeArment

Brian Wardyga

Professor of Communication; General Manager, 109.2FM WLAS & LCTV

Office: Brennan Library, G04F

Edward Weeks

Associate Professor of Justice Studies

Office: Winslow

Catherine Zeek

Professor Emerita

MGMT743 - Fundraising Concepts & Practices

The world of fundraising has become increasingly complex, and knowledge of the various components of fundraising is now essential for anyone wanting to work and advance in this field. This online course introduces students to every major facets of fundraising: the annual fund, working with volunteers, writing successful proposals and grants, capital campaigns, special events, board relations, donor research, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of nonprofit organizations.

SMGT707 - Exec & Strat leadership in the Sport Ind

Executive and sStrategic leadership is often referred to as the highest level and most complex planning activity in any organization. This is also true for sport organizations. This course introduces students to the executive and strategic leadership processes in the sport industry and does so by placing them in the role of Commissioner, Athletic Director or Sport manager. In this role, students will be required to make and defend a broad range of strategic decisions. This class will focus almost exclusively on comprehensive case analysis, or the strategic analysis and decision-making processes used in the sport industry.

SMGT713 - International Sport Management

International Sport Management provides for the study of the principles, theories, and competencies essential for working with and in global organizations and leadership roles and responsibilities in the administration and management of programs across the international/global sports industry. Since material in this course deals with sociological, cultural, political, and economical issues subject to frequent change, the student should be able to identify contemporary national and international positions on these issues in sport.

SMGT722 - Managing Sport Facilities/Special Events

This course examines the processes for planning and managing major sporting events and their specific venues. Topics include crowd management, concession and alcohol management, medical emergency/evacuation plans, and facility design and maintenance.

SMGT732 - The Use of Psychology in Leisure Studies

One of the major fields of study that influence social science is psychology. Psychology is the study of the way the human mind works and how it influences behavior. We all use the principles of psychology daily without realizing it. This class will link the principals of psychology to a multitude of leisure activates as well as the leisure industry.

SMGT701 - Historical & Current Issues in Sports

This course analyzes contemporary issues including the use of performance enhancing drugs, gambling, escalating salaries, violence, and institutional cheating in sports. Case studies are investigated and students engage in critical thinking and discussions to understand what has created these issues.

SMGT703 - Sport Sponsorship & Marketing

This course gives students a thorough overview of the multi-billion dollar sport sponsorship and marketing industry. In this era of globalization, all facets of this growing industry are analyzed including advertising, promotions, sponsorships, product licensing, and market segmentation. Principles of marketing and marketing management and how these relate to the global sport industry are introduced.

SMGT704 - Sport-Recreation-Tourism & the Law

This course introduces the fundamental tenets of the law and familiarizes students with legal structure and basic legal terminology. Various aspects of law are examined including negligence, tort law and risk management, and how they impact the sports industry. In addition, legal issues that relate to professional sport leagues and amateur governing bodies are analyzed.

SMGT705 - Financial Mgmt in the Sport Industry

Financial Management in the Sport Industry is a study of the principles, theories, and competencies essential for working with the fiscal and economic conditions and factors involved in global sport organizations. This course will provide students with basic fiscal and economic principles, strategies, and techniques essential for the leadership, management, and administration of global sports programs. Course activities and requirements have been designed to familiarize the student with the fiscal, economic, budgeting, sources of funding, and impact analyses issues associated with sport in a global society.

SMGT708 - Leisure Studies Foundations

This course will examine leisure behavior primarily from sociological, historical and philosophical perspectives, although current contributions to the understanding of leisure behavior will be incorporated when appropriate. Emphasis will be given to understanding the role of social and historical forces in shaping leisure behavior.

SMGT711 - Sport & Rec Ldrship to Shape the Future

Examines the role of managers as ethical and responsible thought leaders, problem solvers and change agents. The complexities of, and challenges associated with, managing and leading change in a rapidly changing, international, diverse and information-based environment are emphasized. Through discussion, case analysis, role playing, decision-making simulations, and experiential exercises, students explore the responsibilities of contemporary business and the complex issues of leading and guiding organizations in a turbulent environment.

SMGT714 - Administrative Procedures

his course addresses management practices and procedures within the sports and entertainment industry, with an emphasis on sports management procedures and operational scenarios. Students in this course explore professional and amateur athletics, organizational structures, sports operations and logistics, and sports business models

SMGT780 - Research & Design in the Sport Industry

Research in Sport Management requires students to identify, describe, analyze, and report on a sport industry issue or problem at their own workplace by drawing on the relevant literature. The issue could be related to collective bargaining, the introduction of new technology in sport, sexual harassment, sport marketing, employment equity, overtime working, worker motivation and productivity, seniority, discipline, or management rights. Final product for the course is a research paper/project covering an in-depth analysis of a sport industry problem or issue, including a review of the literature, data analysis, and findings/recommendations. Prerequiste: Earned at least 21 credits &/or Permission of Instructor required

SMGT781 - Writing & Reporting Research in Sport

The purpose of this course is to provide students with tools for effective writing and reporting of research and projects in the sport industry. The prerequisite for this course is SMGT 780, Research & design in the Sport Industry, an introduction to research methods and designs in the sport industry. SMGT 781 will briefly review some important issues relating to writing and reporting of data and information across the sport industry. Writing and publication practices will be examined in relation to grant funding, publication, and professional presentations in Sport Management education and the Sport Industry.

SMGT797 - Internship

This three (3) credit course is designed for students to acquire field experience in the Sport Industry. 797 includes supervised work for 150 hours in a sport management setting. Practical experience can be gained in any number of positions including sales, marketing, public relations, operations, facilities, athletic administration (in schools or higher education), event management, or other segments of the sport industry. Prerequisite: Students must have completed a minimum of 27 credit hours & Instructor Approval