Thursday, May 1, 2014
Rider announced today a new program in sport management to be available to students in the fall of 2014
by Kristine A. Brown
The program leads to a bachelor of science in business administration with two majors, sport management along with one of 12 key business options of the student’s choice offered by Rider’s College of Business Administration. The business-based curriculum will prepare students for diverse career opportunities in professional sports organizations, college and high school athletic administration, sports governing bodies, event and facility management, marketing firms, media organizations and entrepreneurial ventures.
Dr. Steven Lorenzet, dean of Rider’s College of Business Administration, says, “Our new program in sport management will prepare students for a career in one of the world’s biggest businesses – the fast-growing, multi-billion dollar sports industry. Students will gain a competitive edge as they develop a working understanding of the critical role business plays in every facet of sports and sports-related organizations.”
Lorenzet explained the sport management co-major is designed to give students a broad-based business education by combining it with another discipline offered by the College of Business Administration. “This unique pairing provides students a deeper understanding of the managerial issues related to sports, while also providing them with training in a second field as well. In essence, we are taking steps to double their career prospects,” he said.
To earn a co-major in sport management, students must complete a total of 18 credits in addition to the course requirements for a second business major in areas as diverse as accounting, advertising, economics, finance, and marketing, to name a few. A sampling of classes in the sport management program include introduction to the business of sports, economics of sports, sports and the law, sports in American life, media relations and sports, sports psychology, gender and sports, and sports marketing.
Students in the program will have the option of completing an internship as part of their degree requirements. Dr. Charles McCall, director of Sport Studies, explains that “Rider’s strategic location near the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas offers convenient access to some of the world’s leading sports franchises, sports media, marketing organizations, and more.
A few of the recent sports-related student internships at Rider have included positions at the New York Giants, Philadelphia Flyers, Trenton Thunder, Sun Bank Arena, NFL Films, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Camden Riversharks, Professional Golf Association and United States Tennis Association.
McCall said Sport Management students can also anticipate a wide range of guest speakers in the program, who will offer industry insight and lively discussion of sports related issues. Recent speakers on Rider’s campus have included Mark Burghart, a producer at CBS Sports; Valerie Ackerman, commissioner of the WNBA; Mike Carson, controller at the Philadelphia Phillies; Phil Mushnick, columnist for the NY Post; and Jon Rothstein, announcer for CBS Sports, among many others.
In addition to the sport management co-major, Rider also offers a minor in sport studies available to all students, including non-business majors. The curriculum provides students with a multi-disciplinary view of sports and an understanding of the important role of sports in shaping culture.