The faculty who teach the University of Miami’s online course come from different backgrounds and are experts in vastly different fields. However they all have one key character trait in common: they share a deep sense of responsibility for equipping students with the tools needed to be successful. In a series of blog posts, we will be putting a spotlight on faculty members from different UOnline graduate programs. Meet UOnline MSED in Sport Administration Professor Warren Whisenant, Ph.D.
Anyone who has worked in the sport industry for some time understands that there’s more to sports than what happens on the court or the field. Few know this better than the University of Miami, Kinesiology and Sport Sciences Professor and Department Chair Warren Whisenant.
Professor Whisenant’s professional background includes over twenty years’ experience with three global organizations—Hewitt Associates, KFC-USA, and Frito Lay, Inc., 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—the Louisville Redbirds and the El Paso Diablos. Prior to joining Frito Lay, Inc., he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, following two tours of active duty in the ’70s and ’80s.
In his current role, Professor Whisenant teaches classes on sport finance and contemporary issues in sports at the University of Miami, including those in the UOnline Master of Education –Sport Administration program. “I want students to understand sports are a business and you have to take a holistic approach to understand each department in an organization,” he said.
Professor Whisenant also has extensive academic experience. He holds several degrees, including a Ph.D. from Florida State University as well as an M.B.A. and an M.A. in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State University in Texas. Before joining UM in 2005, he was a faculty member and Sport Administration program coordinator at the University of Houston.
Prof. Whisenant has been widely published in dozens of industry journals, including the Journal of Sport Management; International Journal of Sport Management; Sport, Education, and Society; and Global Sport Business Journal. Most of his research has focused on gender and organizational issues within interscholastic athletics.
In the classroom, he makes sure to include current news and events that are relevant to the lessons and invites students to share their perspectives as well. “Each week we have a discussion on the readings, but I also encourage them to discuss real-world issues that are going on at the time as well as incorporate their own experiences and background.”
Additionally, his online students are given just as much time and attention as on-campus students. Professor Whisenant typically checks in on his students twice a day to answer questions, and “I also hold office hours using video conferencing so I can meet my students face-to-face.”
His personal touch doesn’t stop there. He has also sent students’ resumes to his industry connections. And last year, he helped establish the Sport Industry Leadership Council (SILC), comprised of sport executives committed to networking with, mentoring, and potentially hiring Sport Administration students and graduates. Professor Whisenant considers SILC one more way of enhancing the program and adding value to students.
To find out more about the University of Miami’s graduate programs in Sport Administration, speak with an enrollment advisor at 800-411-2290 or visit the site for more information.
