When people think of the University of Miami, they think of sports. In football, basketball, and many other sports, the Miami Hurricanes have won national and international acclaim for decades. The Coral Gables campus is home to the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame, which showcases the achievements of ’Canes past and present.
But it’s not only the winning reputation of its athletes that draws people to UM. It’s also the strength of our faculty and degree programs like UOnline’s Master of Education -Sport Administration, as well as the networking opportunities available to students and alumni. Here are three ways we help you break into the sport industry.
1. Respected faculty with connections
Kinesiology and Sport Sciences department chair and professor Warren Whisenant, Ph.D., has more than 20-years experience at global companies including Hewitt Associates, KFC, and Frito Lay, where he was involved with coordinating promotional programs and sponsorships with various sport organizations, including the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway, and two minor league baseball teams. His industry connections are extensive, and he makes a point to introduce them to his most promising students.
Associate Professor Windy Dees, Ph.D. is a well-respected expert on event sponsorships, marketing, and branding, and a frequent contributor to sport and tourism research journals. She has been recognized as a top social influencer among sport business professionals. Dr. Dees also frequently introduces her students to her own network of industry insiders.
Clinical Assistant Professor Erin McNary, who teaches Globalization in Sport, is one of the newest faculty members. Before coming to UM, she had already met several of her future colleagues over the years through networking. Joining the esteemed Sport Administration faculty was an exciting opportunity “because our faculty are so dedicated to developing the skillset students need as well as helping them find a job. One of the things that are essential to my position is facilitating networking and helping students with their careers.”
2. Networking at the annual Sport Industry Conference
One way UM helps students is by hosting an annual Sport Industry Conference, where students have the opportunity to hear sport industry experts speak and network with panelists. The conference draws some big names in sports, including previous keynote speakers Alex Rodriguez, Jorge and Laura Posada, and ESPN commentator Maria Taylor.
The 2018 conference marked the first time partnering with the UM Law School. Attendees learned about the legal side of sport, as well as timely topics such as the rise of athlete activism in the age of social media, the future of eSports, the monetization of digital content, and brand-building for athletes in the 21st century. Attending the conference is free for both on-campus and online UM students.
3. Global opportunities for mentoring and more
In an effort to add even more value to the Sport Industry Conferences as well as ongoing networking and mentoring opportunities, the new Sport Industry Leadership Council (SILC) was developed last fall.
“The focus was on C-level executives that have decision-making power within their organizations,” says Prof. Whisenant. Founding members of SILC include a wide range of prominent figures in the sport industry, including alumni such as Stephen Bashore, general manager of Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, and SILC chair Shawn McGee, vice president of marketing for Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Council is already making significant headway towards offering Sport Administration students new and exciting global opportunities. SILC member and alumnus Marcelo Claudino, CEO of a Brazilian financial advising firm for professional athletes, spearheaded a recent trip where UM faculty explored collaborative opportunities with some of the top sport organizations in his country.
This is yet another example of how UM’s reputation and influence as the premier institution for developing future leaders in the sport industry continue to expand globally.
To find out more about the MSED in Sport Administration program and how it can benefit sport careers for graduates all over the world, speak with an enrollment advisor at 800-411-2290, or visit the site for more information.
