Sport Management Major

The sport and fitness industry has grown dramatically over the past 20 years. The need for expertise in sport management has developed into a discipline where specialization exists. 

Equip yourself with advanced level competencies to successfully manage the varied positions, duties, and responsibilities within the sports entertainment industry.

Become well-versed in general and specific realms of knowledge. Our faculty believes in teaching theoretical foundations, reflective reactions to material, applied projects and activities, and critical analysis by students of what they have experienced in the various processes. At Parkside, you will receive highly personal academic and career advising. You will also be connected to a network of successful alumni working in the industry.

Our comprehensive curriculum serves you, and your aspirations to gain employment in sport and fitness professions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook is expected to grow 10-15%. Graduates have found employment in administration, coaching, sport marketing, team management, sport agencies and broadcasting.

The Sports Management program is ranked fifth in the nation according to schools.com for "Best Colleges for Sports Management Degree Programs 2018-2019". Find out more about the criteria and what recent graduates have to say about the program.

SPORT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM RANKED FIFTH

Also Available: 100% Online and Face-to-Face master's degree in Sport Management

It's natural to ask yourself why you should pick the UW-Parkside Sport Management program. The answer is an easy one once you read the highlights below.

Established Program Tradition & Alumni Success
The sport management program has been in existence at UW-Parkside for nearly two decades. UW-Parkside undergraduate alumni work around the world in all types of sports and at all levels of sport from the major leagues to park districts. Become part of an established tradition. Join a growing group of successful alumni who are creating new networking opportunities for incoming students every day.

A True, Full-time Sport Management Program and Major
The UW-Parkside sport management program is a 60-credit program. Why go to a school with only a minor in sport management where you have to pick a major you do not want or a program with only 20 to 30 real credits in sport management? Go to a program where you learn about the management and business side of sports as your main activity. Learn from people who care about sports and have the experience to help you get to where you want to go.

Quality Full-Time Instructors with Industry Experience
Learn from full-time faculty and instructors, not part-timers or adjuncts, who bring sports industry experience and knowledge to the table along with full-time availability for your academic and academic advising needs. Our team has over 25 years of sports industry experience that we bring to the classroom every day.

Availability of a Wide Array of Skill and Experience Building Courses and Activities
Simply stated, the UW-Parkside sport management program offers many classes geared toward alumni success in the sports industry that some other schools do not offer. Classes focused on sport sales, sports communications, sports analytics, sport event management and athletic fundraising among others are among the focused classes we offer in our major that many other schools do not offer.

We also require students to complete 12 credits (600 hours) of skill- and contact-building internships in order to complete our sport management degree. This approach ensures you have the academic knowledge, experience and contacts to compete in today’s industry.

Immediate Access to the Sport Management Major
UW-Parkside allows you to declare your sport management degree from day one. No entrance exams. No applications to the program. No waiting. No risk that you might not get into the program. Start taking classes and engaging in activities that get you to your desired career from your first day on campus.

Great Location
Located between Milwaukee and Chicago, UW-Parkside is located between the big cities of Kenosha and Racine and only two miles from Lake Michigan. Easy access to I-94. Be part of a growing, vibrant area that offers big city benefits without the hassle. Major companies such as Amazon, Foxconn and Uline all recently picked the Racine/Kenosha area. You should do the same.

Our location also allows for site visits to sports facilities throughout the Milwaukee/Chicago corridor and beyond. In recent years, our students have received behind the scenes tours of iconic sports facilities such as Lambeau Field, Fiserv Forum, Camp Randall Stadium, Soldier Field, Miller Park and UW Milwaukee Panther Arena among many others.

Great Internship, Research and Career Opportunities
Located in the highly-populated Milwaukee/Chicago corridor, UW-Parkside is in a prime location for sports organizations of all types from professional sports to youth sports, from teams to suppliers, and everything in-between. Our faculty and alumni also have contacts throughout the state and region. Why limit your chances for success by picking an isolated school?

Also, the successful reputation of our program has led many sports organizations throughout southeast Wisconsin and the entire state to contact us about offering internships to our students.

Our program also allows you to do your internship wherever you want. We have seen our students travel around the world and work with a wide variety of organizations to complete their internship requirements.

If you wish to do research, our talented faculty give academic presentations on sport management issues at conferences around the world. You might be able to work with them on research that could affect the future of sports.

Excellent Flexibility

  • Our program offers you the necessary flexibility to meet your needs in a variety of ways.
  • You can start any semester. No waiting for the fall. Start or transfer in whenever you wish.
  • Classes are traditionally offered all year including summer and winter sessions. You can choose when you wish to further your education.
  • The sport management major has 21 credits of electives. Shape your future in the way you wish to shape it. Set yourself up for future success. Take the classes you want to take!
  • Classes are offered at a variety of times (night and day) to meet your needs.
  • Need a break? Our format allows you to take classes at your pace including the ability to take a semester off if you need to do with minimal disruption. Need to go away for a semester for an internship somewhere around the country or the world? We can likely make that happen for you.

Affordability
Earn a high-quality education at an affordable price. Our per credit and overall cost beat virtually every competitor out there. Do the math. Schools.com named us the fifth-best sport management program in the country with affordability being a notable part of their analysis.

Networking & Guest Speakers
As previously noted, UW-Parkside alumni work around the world at all levels of sport. And, they frequently come back to campus to talk about their careers, give advice and seek interns or employees for their organizations. It is also quite common for speakers (alumni and non-alumni) from all types of sports organizations to appear on our campus in classes or other types of events every semester. We typically have 20 or more sports executives on campus talking to our students every year.

Access to NCAA Division-II Athletic Program and Internships
Our sport management program offers internships every semester with the only NCAA Division-II athletic program in Wisconsin. The Rangers compete in fourteen different varsity sports and are part of the renowned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

Personal Advising
Work directly with a full-time faculty member with sports industry experience who can help you choose classes and, more importantly, help you on your career path.

Where can I work with a Sport Management Degree?

Working in the sports industry is a dream for many. Today’s sports organizations are looking for highly-skilled employees who can quickly adapt to the exciting and fast-paced sports profession.  Professional sports is just one avenue for your Sport Management degree. Upon earning your degree, you will have tangible skills that will translate into several levels of sport including the major leagues, minor leagues, collegiate athletics, sport governing bodies, sports media, other nonprofit entities, park districts, and sports complexes.

 

Areas of interest and possible positions:
 

Academics & Athlete Development

Athletic Academic Advisor
Career Advisor
Student Support Coordinator
Life Skills & Community Outreach Coordinator

Athletic Director

All levels of amateur sport

Coaching

Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Video Coordinator

Compliance and Regulation

Athletic Compliance

Customer Service

Hospitality
Guest Services
Concessions Management

Consulting

Facilities
Sales
Operations
Finances

Education

Professor
Research Associate
Teacher

Event Management

Event Manager
Game Operations
Event Technology
Special Event Coordinator
Tournament Director
Ticket Operations/Director

Facility Management

Groundskeeper
Field Technician
Security
Parks Manager
Maintenance Manager
Facilities Manager

Finance

Financial Specialist
Accountant
Budget Analyst

Fundraising and Development

Alumni Relations
Development Coordinator
Fundraiser
Nonprofit Coordinator

Marketing & Promotions

Sponsorship and Licensing
Coordinator of Partnership Services
Client Services

Media

Digital Media Coordinator
Sport Journalist
Graphic Designer
Photographer

Player Services

Player Development Coordinator
Clubhouse Manager
ESL Services
Legal Counsel

Public Relations and Communications

Community Relations
Youth Outreach

Sales

Ticket Representative
Suite Sales
Sporting Goods
Equipment
Concessions
Account Executive 

Sport Journalism

Sports Information Director
Anchor/Reporter
Announcers
Commentator
Editors

Team Operations

General Manager
Travel Operations
Team Operations
Program Assistant
Logistics Director
League Coordinator
Equipment Manager
Clubhouse Manager

Technology

Video Operations
Event Technology
Business Operations 

Youth Sports

League Administrator
Recreation Director
Program Coordinator

Alumni Success
Since the program’s inception in 1999, UW-Parkside sport management alumni have established a long track record of success in the sports industry and throughout the general business world.

We are proud to say that UWP sport management graduates currently work at all levels of sport in locations throughout the world. Some of the current titles held by UWP sport management grads include Team President, General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and Director of Business Development among others. For spectator sport organizations, they work in sales, facility operations, event management, ticket operations and handling finances. Others are coaches and scouts.

In addition to the aforementioned grads who work for spectator sport organizations, a significant number of our grads have chosen to take their skills and experience to work for park districts, sports complexes, amateur sports organizations and sports academies throughout the world.

While many of our graduates have achieved their professional goal of working in the sports industry, we have seen other UWP sport management graduates take the skills learned in their education and apply those skills with a great deal of success in many other professional fields. Our graduates have achieved success in sales, finance, law, business operations, teaching and some have even become entrepreneurs starting their own businesses. So, if you or you family are wondering what happens if you complete a sport management degree but choose not to work in sports, be aware that our graduates have taken the lessons learned in our program and achieved career success in many fields.

 

Mark Allen | Account Manager Corporate Partnerships | ROC Ventures, Milwaukee, WI

Dan Bickel |  Admissions Coordinator | Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, WI

Niklas Boedts | Head of Soccer | Scholarbook, Cologne, Germany

Spencer Bursten | General Manager |  International Sports Management, Inc., Milwaukee,WI

Andrew Buss | Field Sales Representative | Eastbay Burlington, WI

Trevor Cronin | Group Accounts Manager |  Kenosha Kingfish, Kenosha, WI

Ali Fairchild | Assistant Professor of Sport Management and Department Chair | Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI

Tyson Fettes | Register of Deeds | Racine County, Racine, WI

Kyle Flanagan | Director of Business Development | Wisconsin Sports Services, Madison, WI

Aron Gentry | Head Soccer Coach | College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL

Tyler Gieseking | Enterprise Recruitment Media Consultant | Nexxt, Indianapolis, IN

Ryne Goralski | Corporate Account Manager | Kenosha Kingfish, Kenosha, WI

Jonathan Gourlay | Associate Attorney | Heuer Law Offices, Milwaukee, WI

Greg Haag | Director of Video Services | University of Minnesota Women’s Basketball, St. Paul, MN

Marc Haubrich | Account Executive | Growth Business, Salesforce, Milwaukee, WI

Chad Hendricks | Appellate Court Judge | Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Ryan Herbert  | Sales Director Ticket Sales & Service | ROC Ventures, Milwaukee, WI

Jared Honquest | Sales Manager | ActiveCampaign, Inc., Chicago, IL

Matt Kelly | Ecommerce Key Account Manager | Reckitt Benckiser, Parsippany, NJ

Russ Kieselhorst | Director of Player Personnel | Marshall Thundering Herd Football, Huntington, WV

Jake Kolasinski | Director | GRB Academy, Milwaukee WI

Dustin  Kraft |  Customer Replenishment Specialist | Kimberly-Clark, Neenah, WI

Alex Kruk | Season Ticket Services Representative | Chicago Fire, Bridgeview, IL

Brittany Kucia  | Senior Account Executive | Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, Milwaukee, WI

Kevin Leisgang |  President | Odessa Jackalopes, Odessa, TX       

Robert Mantey  | Sales Associate | Asheville Tourists, Asheville, NC

Brian Martens |  Director of Ticket Operations | Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee, WI

Bryan McLoone | Sports Anchor, Reporter | WKBT-TV, Lacrosse, WI

Armin  Mehic  | Sports Director | Avalon Sports & Health Club, Sarajevo, Yugoslavia

Dan  Meisler  | Convention Sales Manager | MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Ryan  Moede | General Manager | Fond du Lac Dock Spiders, Fond du Lac, WI

Cameron Olson | Operations Coordinator |  Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee, WI

Dan Parker | Recreation Coordinator | City of Oak Park, Oak Park, MI

John  Perszyk | General Manager | Kokomo Jackrabbits, Kokomo, IN

Tom Pritzl  | Food & Beverage Operations Manager |  Richmond Flying Squirrels Baseball Club, Richmond, VA

Travis Rae  |  Assistant Sports Information Director |  Lamar University, Beaumont, TX

Ryan Ridley | Event & Operations Coordinator | UW-Parkside Athletics, Kenosha, WI

Robert Rothe | Operations & Hospitality Manager | Lakeshore Chinooks, Grafton, WI

Adam Schemm | Senior Associate Athletic Director, External Relations | University of Milwaukee Athletics, Milwaukee, WI

Jackie Schmit  | Resource Development Coordinator | Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha, Kenosha, WI

Mike Schulist  | Assistant Athletic Director for Advancement Operations and Media Relations | Carroll University, Waukesha, WI

Eric Schultz  | Associate Athletic Director of Compliance | University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Mikayla Schwab  | Youth and Adult Sports Coordinator | Greenfield Parks and Recreation, Greenfield, WI

Amy Selk | Team Account Specialist | Adidas Group, Indianapolis, IN

Jake Serwe  | Business Manager | Chippewa Steel Hockey, Chippewa Falls, WI

Zach Serwe | Director of Business Operations | Wausau RiverWolves Hockey, Wausau, WI

Eric Snodgrass | Assistant General Manager | Lakeshore Chinooks, Grafton, WI

Ben Suchon  | Assistant Softball Coach | Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA

Max Swift | Ticket Seller | Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee, WI

Travis Voss | Maryvale Clubhouse Manager | Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, Milwaukee, WI

Charissa (Tischhauser) Weiher  | Fitness Supervisor | Schaumburg Park District, Schaumburg, IL

Kelly Wells  | Marketing Assistant | Lacrosse America, Glenview, IL

Max Widmar | Youth Coordinator | Hitters Baseball Academy, Milwaukee, WI

See what our students have to say.

PROGRAM CONTACT INFO

Kim Armstrong  |  armstrok@uwp.edu  |  262-595-2059

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The Higher Learning Commission
Carnegie Foundation Elective Community Engagement Classification
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