Because Sport Management is more about educating students to become leaders in the sport industry than exercise scientists, athletic trainers or physical therapists, the program has transitioned out of the Department Kinesiology and into the Department of Educational Leadership. Both are within UConn\u2019s Neag School of Education.<\/p>\n
Sport Management faculty offices are now located in the Gentry Building on UConn\u2019s Storrs campus. Previously, the program was located in Gampel Pavilion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting and, really, a logical move, in that both of our programs are dedicated to preparing future leaders of major social institutions,\u201d said Educational Leadership Department Head Casey Cobb, Ph.D. \u201cEducational Leadership helps prepare students to become academic leaders of educational organizations, while Sport Management helps prepare students to become leaders in sports-related institutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor both programs, however, it\u2019s not just about providing students with \u2018how-to,’\u201d Cobb continued. \u201cWe want students to receive an education and experience that will teach them to be the critical thinkers needed to advance these fields, and to use their leadership as a platform for social change.\u201d<\/p>\n
At any given time, as many as 40 undergraduate and 30 graduate students\u2014master\u2019s and doctoral\u2014are working toward Sport Management degrees. No aspect of the move has affected the core curriculum of the program, which provides students with the education they need to examine, and approach, sport management through a \u201ccritical lens,\u201d said Associate Professor Laura Burton, Ph.D.<\/p>\n
\u201cSport Management isn\u2019t just about how to get more fans to attend a game,\u201d explained Burton, one of two full-time Sport Management faculty members. \u201cIt\u2019s about examining the impact sport has on society. Sport leaders have a huge influence on how people think and act; on what society believes is right and wrong. That\u2019s a huge responsibility, and requires training very similar to what Educational Leadership provides. Both of our programs are training students to become leaders in fields that can help make our society a more just, less divisive and overall better place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Entrance into all levels of Sport Management is competitive, added Associate Professor Jennifer Bruening, Ph.D. Undergraduate and master\u2019s students leave prepared to enter careers in professional, college, youth and non-profit sports, as well as event and facility management and media relations. Most Ph.D. graduates become part of the growing number of sport management academic programs at domestic and international colleges and universities, conducting research on sport as an instrument for social equity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile at the outset Sport Management evolved from a physical education program, and being part of the Department of Kinesiology seemed like the most logical fit, our programs have moved in different directions over the years,\u201d Bruening explained. \u201cKinesiology at UConn is doing positive things, ranked as the best in the country, but department members\u2019 research is based on biological science. Sport Management is a social science, and so more closely aligned with the work of Educational Leadership faculty\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarded as one of the best Kinesiology departments in the U.S., UConn\u2019s doctoral Kinesiology program is ranked #1 by the National Academy of Kinesiology. Faculty includes recognized leaders in the fields of exercise science, exercise and sport nutrition, athletic training and physical therapy.<\/p>\n
Despite Sport Management\u2019s new physical location, faculty and students will continue to share resources and work with those in Kinesiology. There\u2019s also the expectation that connections formed by the new Sport Management-Educational Leadership partnership will lead to greater synergies and opportunities for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving Sport Management now working alongside Education Leadership is a real boon for us, added Cobb. \u201cWe\u2019re really excited about the possibilities. Educational Leadership will get the chance to share education practices and models that could be adapted to create better sport industry leaders, and Sport Management will share practices on how educators can better use sports to engage and teach students. There\u2019s a lot of potential for outstanding partnerships between our programs that will only benefit our students and, ideally, society overall.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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