Thiel tapping into the multi-billion dollar sports industry with new sports management program

Posted January 26, 2018 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, has launched a a new track for the business administration major that targets a student wanting to pursue a sports management program.

The business administration, sports management track provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to get positions in athletic administration, sport/recreational facility management, coaching, and event management.

“The National Football League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball are each multi-billion dollar enterprises. Factor in scholastic, collegiate, recreational and semi-pro opportunities with these professional institutions and you can see the tremendous career possibilities that will be available for our graduates,” Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Liz Frombgen, Ph.D., said. “This program will build on the outstanding business base our graduates get and add the flexibility for them to combine their love of sport with fulfilling and rewarding professional endeavors.”

The program’s core gives students a knowledge base in management theory, as well as concepts in both sports and business settings. Students will gain practical skills and real-world experience through coursework and practicum requirements. About 70 percent of Thiel’s students participate in one of its 24 NCAA-sanctioned sports. Those teams provide an almost year-round opportunity for on-campus involvement sports administration and event planning.

The program was developed cooperatively by the Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration and the Department of Health & Physical Education. It contains course content from both disciplines. A new course, Introduction to Sports Management, has been developed.

Students will learn the business side of sports and get exposure to planning, promoting, financing, sponsoring, marketing, communication, and operating sports events and organizations. Students will gain practical skills, knowledge, and experience through real-world projects and collaboration with business professions from the sports industry.

Thiel's new exercise science major debuted this fall.