The sport and recreation industry is one of the largest in the United States, accounting for over $60 billion in spending a year. An exciting and fun industry in which to work, it requires a large commitment of time and energy.
Robert Morris University boasts one of the oldest and most respected undergraduate sport management programs in the country. Our faculty members bring real-world experience to the classroom, and the state-of-the-art facilities in the brand-new School of Business building give you hands-on experience in a corporate setting. As a result, you hit the ground running, primed with the confidence and knowledge you need to land a good job and succeed in this competitive field.
Studies lead to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) degree with a concentration in sport management.
The B.S.B.A. with a concentration in sport management enables students to:
Read the Sport Management Department newsletter >
The sport and recreation industry is a very competitive one. Students must have a good educational background and solid work experience to obtain an entry-level position. To have the best chance of entering the sport industry, students should be prepared to relocate.
Employers in the sport and recreation industry are particularly interested in entry-level employees who are enthusiastic, willing to work hard, have good oral communication skills and are problem-solvers. The best way for students to demonstrate such skills is through practical work experience, obtained through volunteer work, internships, or part-time jobs. You can check out what RMU sport management graduates are up to in the Sport Management Department's newsletter.
Recent Graduates Work Here:
Altoona Curve, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Hurricanes, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians, Dick's Sporting Goods, ESPN Radio, Florida Gulf Coast Sports Commission, Indianapolis Colts, KDKATV, Marshall University, Mellon Arena, Memphis River Kings, Nationwide Arena, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, New Jersey Devils, New Orleans Hornets, NBA, NFL Japan, NHL, Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Padres, Special Olympics, Ticketmaster, University of Alabama, Washington Capitals, Wilson Sporting Goods, YMCA.
2010 national average salaries, including experienced professionals, as reported by simplyhired.com:
|
By Job Function: |
|||
|
Account Executive |
$61,000 |
Assistant Coach |
$38,000 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$31,000 |
Marketing Coordinator |
$50,000 |
|
Assistant Athletic Director |
$38,000 |
Program Coordinator |
$44,000 |
|
Athletic Coach |
$41,000 |
Retail Sports Jobs |
$85,000 |
|
Event Coordinator |
$41,000 |
Special Events Coordinator |
$39,000 |
2009 RMU Salary Survey: Mean: $38,500 Range: $24,000- $50,000
Below is a typical four-year course of study for sport management students, including major requirements and electives. Your own schedule will vary based on your own interests.
| FRESHMAN/Fall Semester | FRESHMAN/Spring Semester |
| Reading & Writing Strategies | Argument and Research |
| Introduction to Sport Management | Principles of Macroeconomics |
| Finite Math and Applied Calculus | Sport in American Society |
| Principles of Sociology | Intro to Decision Support Systems |
| Political Science elective | General Psychology |
| Statistics | |
| SOPHOMORE/Fall Semester | SOPHOMORE/Spring Semester |
| Intro to Financial Accounting | Managerial Accounting |
| Principles of Microeconomics | Legal Environment of Business |
| Public Speaking and Persuation | Business Professional Communication |
| Management Theory & Practice | Intro to Ethics |
| Elective | Principles of Marketing |
| JUNIOR/Fall Semester | JUNIOR/Spring Semester |
| Management Science | Sport Marketing and Promotions |
| Principles of Finance | Science elective |
| Sport Management | International Business |
| Business elective | Business elective |
| Humanities: Art and Music | Internship or Non-business elective |
| Internship or Non-business elective | |
| SENIOR/Fall Semester | SENIOR/Spring Semester |
| Technology Issues and Topics | Problem Solving in Sport and Recreation |
| Sport Management elective | Strategic Management |
| Internship or Non-business elective | Sport Management elective |
| Non-business elective | Internship or Non-business elective |
| Business elective | Business elective |
RMU sport management students can gain practical experience by working with:
Internship Opportunities
Internships are an important element of the sport management concentration. Each term, students are involved in doing internships with sport organizations for credit. These internships provide students with an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom, to demonstrate skills, and to make contacts.
Internship Employers:
Altoona Curve, Baltimore Ravens, Clear Channel Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods, ESPN Radio, Family Circle Cup, Hilton Grand Vacations Resort, Innisbrook Resort, Koeberle & Associates, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, New Jersey Devils, North Hills High School, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, Robert Morris University, Sewickley Heights Golf Club, SMG-Mellon Arena, Spectacor Management Group, University of Pittsburgh, U.S. Olympic Training Center at Colorado Springs, U.S. Open, Wake Forest University, Washington Wild Things.
Study Abroad
Sport management students at RMU have studied abroad in Australia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and Monaco.
RMU's sport management faculty members bring practical backgrounds to the classroom. Full-time faculty members have held positions in professional baseball, intercollegiate athletics, tennis club management and special events.
Faculty members make presentations at professional meetings, including the North American Society for Sport Management, Resort and Commercial Recreation Association, Sport Marketing Association and Sport Marketing Interest Group of the American Marketing Association. They also attend conferences dealing with such issues as building new stadiums and arenas, resort trends into the next century and issues in intercollegiate athletics.
Faculty members have been involved with research projects such as the economic impact of an LPGA Golf Tournament, the examination of fans attending major league baseball games and the marketing of new stadiums in Pittsburgh. Students are frequently asked to participate in such projects.
Full-time faculty members are frequently cited by local and national media as experts in the sport industry.
Scholarships are available based upon academic achievement.
For freshmen, high school grade point average and ACT/SAT scores are used. For transfer students, the cumulative grade point average of all college courses is used. Scholarships range from $1000 per year up to full tuition. (To calculate your scholarship eligibility, click here.)
Higher education is an investment in your future.
At Robert Morris University, we will work closely with you to show you how to finance your education through a combination of need-based financial aid, scholarships, and financing strategies to make your education attainable. RMU has one of the lowest tuition rates of all private institutions in the state, but we know that financing your education can be complicated, and your family might need help in understanding your options.
Talk to us—we can help!
Email us at finaid@rmu.edu
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