Turn your passion for athletics into a career path in a $500B industry
See the benefits.
As a Sport Management major at Villa Maria, you’ll develop a versatile skill set that combines your passion for sports with business acumen, preparing you for a winning career in a growing industry.
You’ll master the business side of the business: finance, marketing, sales, ethics, and management, as they relate to the sports industry at the recreational, collegiate, and professional levels. As you move through the program, you’ll develop the interpersonal skills that often define success: collaboration, critical thinking, project management, professional communication, planning, leadership, and more. As a graduate of the program, you’ll have acquired critical experience through a mandatory internship, and you’ll be ready to join the workforce in one of the world’s biggest industries.
Career Potential
Those obtaining a degree in sport management 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. The salary varies widely based on type of role, education, and experience level. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2021), the number of sports occupations is expected to rise much higher than average rates with a median wage of $49, 470 (i.e. higher than the median wage for all occupations).
Top Career Paths for Sport Management Majors
- Professional Sport Operations
- Collegiate Sport Administration
- Recreation Management
- Event & Venue Management
- Sport Analytics
- Sales and Promotions
- Sports Marketing Manager
- Account Manager/Account Executive
- Public Relations
- Fitness Director
Community Partnerships
- AdPro Sports
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo and Niagara
- Buffalo Bisons
- Buffalo Bandits
- Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo Extreme
- Buffalo PAL
- Buffalo Sabres
- Butler Mitchell Alumni
- City of Buffalo Youth and Recreation
- Delevan Grider Community Center
- Gloria Parks Community Center
- Jordan Nwora Foundation
- Northtown Center at Amherst
- Orchard Park Youth and Recreation
- University at Buffalo Athletics
- WNY Coaches
- XGen Elite Sports Complex
- YMCA of Buffalo and Niagara
See for yourself.
Sports enthusiasts belong at Villa. Sports require passion, and so do successful careers. You already have a prevailing knowledge of sports, innate athleticism, and a desire to win. At Villa, you’ll learn the business side of the game, opening countless numbers of door in a field that’s growing by the day. If you’re ready to combine work with play, then your path to success starts here.
Meet Your Instructor
Richard L. Jacob, Ph.D.
Dr. Jacob is a longtime educator, with experience in the classroom and as a coach. He served as the Chair of Social Sciences, Communications and Sport Studies program at Medaille University until the University closed in 2022. He was the Director of Medaille’s Sport Management and Esports Programs and a Professor of Sport Psychology. He has served on numerous councils, task forces and committees and multiple institutions, and has presented at professional conferences throughout the country. Dr. Jacob has taught more than 20 different college courses and that number continues to grow.
Further, Dr. Jacob is an award-winning coach who has directed collegiate athletic programs, led retreats and more.
Dr. Jacob holds his PhD in Counselor Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a Master of Science in Physical Education from Canisius University, an M. Ed. in Counseling from Niagara University, a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling from Eisenhower College, and an Associate in Science in Philosophy and Psychology Niagara County Community College. He holds a NYSED Certification in School Counseling.
Join the family.
There’s a lot of pressure to know what’s next. We’re here to say, it’s OK if you’re still figuring it out. In fact, it’s great. Villa is a place where that kind of continual discovery is prized. Because going to college isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about inventing who you’re going to become. You’ll see.
