The concentration in Sport and Leisure Commerce seeks to develop skills essential to the production, promotion, delivery, and the consumption of sport and leisure in a highly complex and technological, global market. Drawing on theoretical perspectives and research techniques grounded in business, the humanities, and social sciences, emphasis is placed on practical application, critical analysis, an enhanced understanding of sport and leisure, and principles underlying economic development and industrial growth.

The Sport and Leisure Commerce concentration is approved by the Sport Management Program Review Council (a joint initiative of the North American Society for Sport Management and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

• Degree Sheet

Career Opportunities

As career options, students will be prepared to assume the roles of leaders, directors, managers, supervisors, planners, promoters, program specialists, and researchers in the sport and leisure industries. Managing people, programs and resources is inherently woven into the fabric of the role and scope of sport and leisure commerce regardless of the nature of the delivery system. Students seeking careers in both public and private sectors of the sport and leisure industries will select this course of study. Career opportunities include but are not limited to: athletic director; municipal parks and recreation leadership; sport and leisure management, marketing, facility management, and/or event management; tourism director, and community/voluntary agency sport and leisure programming. Moreover, the graduate will be well-prepared to pursue advanced graduate study in related fields.

Research Emphases

Sport Marketing and Promotion; Consumer Analysis for the Sport and Leisure Industries; Economics of Sport and Leisure; Sport and Leisure Theory; Organization Theory and Behavior in Sport and Leisure; Sport, Leisure, and Popular Culture; Sport in the Global Marketplace; Sport and Leisure in Cultural History; Computer Applications for Sport and Leisure Commerce; Strategic Management of Sport Organization.

Faculty

Joris Drayer, Ph.D. University of Northern Colorado, 2007 Assistant Professor
Michael Huffman, PdD (University of Utah, 1985), Associate Professor Recreation and Park Management; Tourism; Computer Applications in Sport and Leisure.
Richard L. Irwin, PhD (University of Northern Colorado, 1990), Professor Sport Marketing; Sport Licensing; Sponsorships and Database Marketing Strategies.
Timothy D. Ryan, Ph.D Texas A and M University, 2007 Assistant Professor
Richard M. Southall, EdD (University of Northern Colorado, 2001), Assistant Professor Legal & Ethical Issues in Sport, Sociology of Sport, Sport Marketing, Organizational Culture in Sport Organizations
Stan N. Walls, EdD (Memphis State University, 1991), Assistant Professor Therapeutic Recreation; Sport and Leisure for People with Disabilities; Sport and Leisure for Youth; Sport and Leisure Leadership; Leisure Program Development.