Continuing its growth trajectory, Villa Maria College has announced its newest academic program: A Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management.
Sport Management combines timeless business knowledge like finance, psychology, marketing, and sales, with the trends and technologies being utilized in one of the world’s largest and most dynamic industries: sports and recreation.
“Villa Maria’s Sport Management programs supports the skill development students need to be successful in the sports industry at recreational, collegiate, and professional levels,” said Brian Emerson, the College’s Executive Vice President. “The program will equip students with ethical business and management skills in addition to collaboration, critical thinking, project management, professional communication, and leadership.”
The versatile skill set obtained through the Sport Management program’s curriculum will prepare graduates for jobs in any area of this vast industry.
“A Sport Management degree will prepare students for sustainable careers with countless paths and opportunities,” continued Emerson. “Sport Management graduates can seek jobs as athletic directors, game day/event coordinators, sport marketing specialists, facility operations managers, contract analysts, guest relations managers, coaching staff, athletic and sport managers, public relations, and more.”
While exact salaries vary widely based on type of role, education, and experience level, the Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that the number of sports occupations is expected to rise at much higher-than-average rates.
Villa Maria’s Sport Management program was developed in conjunction with Dr. Richard Jacob, who will also teach many of the program’s fundamental classes. Dr. Jacob brings decades of experience to the College, both in the classroom and as a coach. Most recently, Dr. Jacob worked at the former Medaille University as the Chair of the Social Sciences, Communications, and Sports Studies Departments. He was also the Director of the former university’s Sport Management program and its Athletic Department.
Dr. Jacobs has amassed coaching experience at The Park School, Medaille University, Buffalo Rapids, Erie County Community College, Villa Maria College, Daemen College, the Empire State Games, UB, Niagara University, and others. He holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a Master of Science in Physical Education from Canisius University, a Master of Education in Counseling from Niagara University, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology from Eisenhower College, and an Associate in Science in Social Science from Niagara County Community College. He also earned a NYSED Certification in School Counseling. He has taught more than 20 college courses, has developed coaching certification programs, authored professional articles, and spoken at a number of conferences throughout the United States.
In addition to the new bachelor’s degree, Villa also offers students certificates in Esport Management and Sport Communication and a stand-alone Sport Management certificate for other majors.
Applications for the Sport Management program are now being accepted for the Fall 2024 semester. Prospective students who are interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to visit www.villa.edu/academics/sport-management or by calling the College’s Admissions Department at 716-961-1805.
