Deron Grabel, Sport Management Academic Program Manager, Post University | Waterbury college kicks off degree program

Connecticut doesn’t seem like a natural epicenter for a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management. What made Post launch this course now?

Post University already had a popular concentration in sport management. Since there is a growing interest in and demand for sport management degree programs, we decided now was the right time to transition the concentration into a full-time degree program. Connecticut and the cities that are nearby have a lot to offer sport management students in terms of access to professional sport, facility management, sport marketing, etc. opportunities.  We also have a host of Division II sports programs where our students can gain hands-on experience.  Our students will be prepared to accept sport management jobs nationally and internationally.   

At Post University, students will be required to take a core group of business courses, along with courses that focus specifically on sports marketing, economics and management. 

What’s different about sports marketing vs. regular marketing, etc.?

The sport management courses have an increased focus on sport as compared to regular business courses. These courses will delve deeper into specific wants and needs of the sport management industry.  

How many courses and instructors are going to have to be introduced to make this program a reality? How will you attract instructors familiar with this line of work?

Prior to launching the sport management program, Post hired an academic program manager with substantial experience in sport management education. We also already had in place experienced professors who’ve been teaching  courses as part of our sport management concentration.  Additional instructors in the field will join the Post program as needed.

Is there going to be a course on sports economics that deals with stadiums getting built by municipalities? It seems as if economists prove those deals never recoup their investment.

A portion of the sport economics course will investigate stadiums being built by municipalities and the pros and cons, both financial and nonfinancial, of a municipality doing so.

Is this program designed to be all behind the scenes? Or, could this course of study prove useful for somebody wanting to be involved in onfield sports management, too?

The sport management program is primarily designed to prepare students for a career in the off-the-field world of sport. While the sport management program won’t prepare someone to be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, people also involved with on-field sport will find value in obtaining this degree. Our degree program will provide students with practical knowledge of business, marketing, and other related disciplines as it applies to the business of sports. It also will afford them access to co-op opportunities within the sport industry, so they can gain valuable hands-on experience before they graduate.