Game Changer: William Peace University Launches New Sport Management Major

Raleigh, NC (10/08/2024) — William Peace University students who want to work in the sports world after graduation will soon have more opportunities.

That's because the University is offering a new major in Sport Management starting in January 2025. The program was previously offered only as a minor.

"This program combines a passion for sports with essential business skills, preparing you to lead and innovate in the dynamic world of sport management," said Dr. Lynda Szymanski, vice president of Academic Affairs. "Whether you aim to work in event planning, marketing, or team administration, your journey starts here."

Students at WPU can take classes such as exercise and sport science, lifetime fitness and wellness, sports and exercise psychology, and, now, sport management.

What can a student do with a degree in sport management?

A degree in sport management There's sport law for students who want to become sports agents. You have sport finance for students who wish to become financial advisors or want to work on the business side of a professional team. Sport marketing covers all of these things in the introductory course, and students also learn how to market events and get people in the stands.

Dr. Kimberly Willis is a visiting professor who will teach the key courses. Willis brings years of real-world and classroom experience to the topic, from her research work in sport and allied health, sport marketing, media law, and sport and entertainment venue management.

"All of these aspects are under the umbrella," Willis said.

There's also facility management, where students learn what it's like to run an athletic facility, all the behind-the-scenes details the average fan doesn't see or know.

"It's a plethora of things," Willis said. "And that's just a little snippet."

Willis said most of her students are student-athletes, which helps because they can give feedback on her examples.

PASSIONATE STUDENTS

Grayson Mitchell is a baseball player from Charleston, South Carolina, who plans to major in sport management.

Mitchell, a sophomore, represents the William Peace University students who know what they want to do and eagerly anticipate the new program.

"I'd like to be a sports agent," Mitchell said. "If that doesn't work out, sports psychologist."

Mitchell keeps his options open, including an internship with USA Baseball this summer in Cary.

So far, the courses have been what "I expected" under the Sport Management umbrella. Mitchell, who said he's usually a "high B" student, has done better in the classes mainly because it's a career he wants to pursue, and he's passionate about the material.

"If you want to do well, you're going to," Mitchell said.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Immersive Learning is a key part of the WPU education. In a short time, Willis discovered plenty of opportunities for her students to get hands-on experience, both on and off campus.

From the second half of October to the end of the semester, students in her classes will develop and apply a marketing plan based on the steps they learned in sport management.

"How can we get individuals to William Peace athlete (events)?," Willis used as an example of marketing assignments for the class. "How can we bring revenue in? Everything kind of ties in, and they will be doing the hands-on things for sure. I teach the material, and then I have them devise a game plan."

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