Sport Management

Bachelor of Arts

The Art of Sport Management

Victories are earned off the field too. That’s why there is an ever-growing need for qualified leaders in sport management industries. Clarke University’s intense Sport Management degree is meeting that demand head-on, equipping you with the skills to manage, lead, navigate, and win.

In the U.S. alone, the sports industry ranks sixth among all industries, with annual revenue of more than $250 billion. The job growth projection for athletic directors in higher education through 2022 is faster than the national average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pursuing a sport management degree prepares students for exciting careers in the global sports industries, including athletic management, health, and fitness management, event management, as well as marketing, sales, public relations, and other sports-related positions.

In the Clarke Sport Management major, you will learn how sports function in the business and entertainment industries and interact with philanthropic entities. You will become familiar with the complexities of the competitive sports industries and develop strategies for personal and organizational success.

Clarke University Sport Management Major student working one-on-one with their professor.

Clarke University Sport Management Degree students learning in class

Internships

Internships are an integral part of what makes Clarke one of the best schools for Sports Management. Internships by Clarke students have included:

Green Bay Packers
Dubuque Fighting Saints
University of Minnesota
Eagle Ridge Golf Course
Club Fusion Volleyball
East Dubuque & Senior High School Athletic Departments
The Dubuque Community YMCA/YWCA
Diamond Jo Casino Marketing Department
Signature Health & Fitness
Dubuque Golf & Country Club
Union Dubuque Football Club

Be assured that as a student at Clarke University, you will receive VIP treatment. You will score plenty of individual attention and hands-on opportunities – contests and in-game promotions, time-out trivia, post-game interviews, social media coverage, sports talk radio broadcasts, PA announcers, statisticians, and tours of local sports facilities. Begin your journey by visiting Dubuque, Iowa, and seeing first-hand how Clarke students learn.

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Program Details

Playing with the Best
At Clarke University, you will gain valuable knowledge from a team of experienced business professors. Emphasis on fieldwork experiences outside the traditional class setting provides students with knowledge and skills to transition toward full-time employment. Clarke offers Sport Management majors Early Access programs in its Master of Business Administration. The Early Access programs offer eligible students the ability to complete 12 hours of graduate credit while in their undergraduate degree program. These credits can be counted as undergraduate electives toward a bachelor’s degree.

Since the Clarke Sport Management program is housed in the Business Department, students will have an opportunity to earn a double major or a minor in Business Administration. In addition, the program is highly experiential. You will gain valuable hands-on experience in the field as well as extensive knowledge in the classroom. These factors will provide students with a competitive advantage when transitioning toward full-time employment in the sports management industry.

A Sampling of Classes within the Sport Management Degree:
SPORT MARKETING & COMMUNICATION — You’ll have the opportunity to develop original marketing plans and promotional videos of athletes, coaches, and teams.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES IN SPORT — This class provides future sport managers with a broad understanding of how sports are implemented and managed throughout the world.

FINANCING SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS — Students will assess and implement fundraising and sponsorship plans, as well as develop all aspects of a golf fundraiser.

Admission to Clarke University

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. Apply to Clarke today to begin your journey.

Global Immersion
Each year, Sport Management majors have an opportunity to participate in global trips to study the cultural, social, economic, and sporting aspects of other countries. These 10-15 day trips have included travel to Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, Australia, and New Zealand.

Career Options
Pursuing a Sport Management degree prepares students for exciting careers in global sports industries, and many other areas, including:

Advertising Agent
Athletic Conference Director
Athletic Director
Broadcaster
Coach or Manager
Community Relations Director
Compliance Coordinator
Event Manager
Facility Manager
Golf Course Manager
Health Club Manager
Management and Marketing for Major and Minor League Franchises
Media Relations Director
Public Relations Director
Sports Information Director
Sports Promoters
Sports Official
Team General Manager

Program in Pictures

Sport Management Major Halftime Promotions

Clarke University Sport Management Major receiving hands on educational opportunities

Clarke University Sport Management Major Halftime Promotions

Some Clark University Sport Management Majors working on their Halftime Promotion project

Sonia Colavita, Clarke University Sport Management Internship

Meet Our Faculty

When our Sports Management graduates speak about the Clarke moments that shaped them, there’s always a professor in the story. That’s because being a faculty member at Clarke University requires a deep passion for educating, encouraging, and empowering students. Here, your professors will know your name. They will push you to develop your full potential, and then they’ll ask for more. And, they’ll be right there to congratulate you when you exceed even your own expectations. Often, it’s a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

View Our Faculty & Staff

Terese Stratta, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Sport Management

I strive to promote professional development that is healthy, empowering, and fun, and assist students in embracing the benefits of learning as a lifetime endeavor.