Rider University announced it plans to offer a new program in sport management starting in the fall.
The program leads to a Bachelor of Science in business administration with two majors, sport management along with one of twelve key business options of the student’s choice offered by Rider’s College of Business Administration.
The business-based curriculum is designed to 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.
Rider’s College of Business Administration Steven Lorenzet said 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
“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 in a statement.
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
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.
Director of sport studies Charles McCall said students can anticipate guest speakers who will offer industry insight and lively discussion of sports related issues. Recent speakers on Rider’s campus have included CBS Sports producer Mark Burghart, WNBA commissioner Valerie Ackerman, Philadelphia Phillies controller Mike Carson, NY Post columnist Phil Mushnick and CBS Sports announcer Jon Rothstein.
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.
More information is online at rider.edu.
