What is Sport Management?

When we watch sport, I would argue that society does not understand the amount of work and planning that goes on behind the scenes. I experienced this first-hand during my internship with FC Dallas, an MLS franchise in Frisco, Texas. Through a stroke of luck, and maybe god himself, I landed a stadium operations internship with the organization and began work in mid January of 2016. My duties mostly consisted under the famous phrase, "other duties as assigned", otherwise I was organizing and re-shaping the clubhouse on a daily basis for different corporate events. For example, Motel 6 had their annaul leadership event in the Toyota Stadium clubhouse, which was a logistical nightmare in regard to tables, chairs, and ethernet cords. Some would consider this "grunt" work, as the intern is mostly present to do the jobs the professionals do not want to do themselves. Nonetheless, I exeperienced how a professional sport stadium operates on a daily basis. And let me tell you this, it was a mesmerizing combination of chaotic beauty. Which in the end, makes sport attractive, does it not?

I hope the rambling introduction paragraph about my time in Texas provided a mental picture as to what "sport management" could entail. The most important question society needs to ask itself is this: "How does one succesfully manage sport?". Honestly, how do we manage sport the right way? These questions are extremely subjective and there may be no definitive truth behind them. One answer could be right in my mind, but wrong in yours. Forcing a perplexive conundrum that exists in current sport academia. In other words, the constant justification that revolves around what "sport management" is and the nature of its existence. You may be asking yourself this exact question: "Why the hell would I study sport management? I know sports already...". I am glad you're asking this question because after 300+ words of crap, im finally going to attempt to answer this question.

Sport Management, in a simple definition, is an academic discipline (or area of study), that focuses on the important principles that managers in sport must consider. Now, I know this is vague, but don't shoot the messenger. What are important principles you ask? Well below are some example classes from the University of Illinois in our Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Department:

1. RST in Modern Society

2. Business Strategies for Professional Sport Organizations

3. Leadership in RST

4. Management in RST

5. Finance in RST

6. Marketing in RST

7. Event Management in RST

With the above classes listed one could pursue any of these career choices:

1. Event Coordinator

2. Sport Marketing Specialist (for a pro team)

3. Facilities Manager

4. Athletic Director

5. Any Sales Role

6. Fitness Manager

7. Sport Agent

8. Guest Relations Manager

9. HR Manager

10. Any level of Coach

Any of these positions can be reached at multiple levels in the workforce. For example, I have worked for youth sport (coach), government sport (City of Memphis Park and Rec.), collegiate sport (University of Central Missouri), collegiate recreation (University of Central Missouri), professional sport (FC Dallas), and private sport (Pedalheads Sport Camps for Kids). I hope that any of the above levels of sport interest you in some way or the other. There are numerous opportunities available for sport professionals under these 6 pathways. If you simply type in "sport management" into Indeed, you will see the wide variety of jobs that are related to sport and management in some form.

Since this is my first ever blog post, have some mercy on me for detail and specific writing rhetoric. I am attemtping to find my groove, like the emperor did when he was turned into a llama. For those in which this reference flew right over your head, it is from The Emperors New Groove, a classic Disney movie that we millenials collectively enjoy. Moving on, with the above information, I hope you can successfuly explain what your dream is and how you can make it make sense to others. In the end, I am not encouraging you to figure out a way to explain to your loved ones what you do. If you pursue your passion, your loved ones will follow and support you along the way. And if they dont, shoot me an email and I will happily mentor you through this crazy world of ours.

I truly want you to succeed and pursue your version of happiness. God bless and have a wonderful day. Thank you for taking the time to read these thoughts from the Ivory Tower.

Talk soon,

Nathan

P.S., post photos were taken from a hike in Seattle, Washington, with my dog, Tucker.