P.E. (Sports Management) (SPM)

The role of sport management in contemporary sporting environments. Focus will be on providing an introduction to sports industry; growth trends in the industry; and careers in the industry, including an overview of management in the professional sports franchise; intercollegiate athletics, sports marketing and promotions; sports law; facilities management; the health club and resort industry; sports tourism; and other current trends in sport management. (Junior standing required)

Examines the nature of various sports and their role in American society from contemporary perspectives. The relationship between sports and such issues as gender, race, class, ethnicity, and Title IX will be explored as to how they affect the sport product and the sport enterprise. Current issues will be discussed and analyzed as to how they influence and are influenced by the social and cultural context in which they are managed and played.

An understanding of the role of the sport facility in society is stressed. Topics include building a facility, feasibility studies, financing a facility, furnishing of a facility, types of facilities, producing events, day-to-day operations, concessions, maintenance, franchise interaction, and the career paths to become a successful facility manager. Special event programming topics covered include protocols in planning sports events, risk management assessment, celebrity contracts, media marketing, sponsorship, merchandising, advertisement, hospitality, and assessment of event success.

An introduction to the marketing of sport as a product and the promotion of sport activities. Topics include the definition of the market, consumer analysis, market segmentation, product licensing, product positioning, pricing, promotion, marketing communication, and distribution, as they apply to sports. Corporate sponsorship, fundraising, sales and public relations are also covered.