Majoring in Sport Management

You will learn from and network with experienced sports industry professionals in this Sport and Recreation Management degree program.

Classes for Sport Management Majors

As a Sport and Recreation Management major, you’ll take specialized courses, such as sport law, sport marketing, facility and event management, sport psychology, nutrition, coaching theory, physical education and courses on various athletic games.

You’ll also take general business courses, such as marketing, management, law, information systems, leadership and diversity and human resources. You will apply what you learn in class at a professional internship that is tailored to your goals.

View Catalog for Sport Management Degree Requirements.

View Degree Requirements

Our Faculty

Classes are taught by full-time professors and experienced sport and recreation management professionals. We keep classes small, therefore professors can offer individual attention and support that is rare in business schools.

tennis coach on court with two athletes

“You don’t need to throw it, kick it, or bounce it. You can be the one to run the show by enrolling in the Sport and Recreation Management program at Russell Sage.”

Bob Stulmaker, B.S., M.S., SAS, SDA, CAA,
Sport and Recreation Management lecturer, former director of physical education, athletics, and health, and former assistant director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association

Accelerated Program for Business Majors

Do you want to get on a faster track to your career, save time and money on your education, and make the most of your time at Russell Sage?

Our Accelerated 4+1 program combines your B.B.A. or B.S. in Business Administration with our MBA or M.S. in Organization Management or your B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management with our M.S. in Organization Management – making it possible for you to earn two degrees in just five years. You’ll start your graduate courses while you’re still finishing your bachelor’s degree, saving you time and money, and allowing you to get a head start on your career.

You’ll also receive special advising to help you stay on track.

It’s our Flex

Once you enter your graduate studies, our unique Flex format allows you to choose how you take your graduate management courses – in person, via livestream, or online on your own time – and you can change it up as you need to from week to week. This allows our graduate students to balance work and life responsibilities with their education.

How to Qualify

  • First-year students who have a 3.7 (92%) grade point average in high school will be automatically admitted to the program. Students who don’t wish to pursue the accelerated path can simply speak with their advisor. 
  • Students bringing in a high volume of College/University in the High School or AP credits may be able to accelerate this pathway even more.
  • Students who don’t have the high school GPA to qualify can earn entry into the program once they’ve completed 45 credits, as long as they have an overall GPA of 3.0 and a letter of recommendation from a Russell Sage faculty member.
  • Must have 45 credits completed.
  • Must have a GPA of 3.0 overall or at least a 3.2 GPA in the last 30 credits.
  • Should provide a letter of recommendation from a faculty member at the institution the student is transferring from.

Why an MBA?

Why Does a Master’s Degree Matter?
According to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s 2024 Corporate Recruiters Survey, the median salary for an MBA graduate is $120,000 vs. $69,320 for a business bachelor’s degree graduate.

Want to learn more?
Reach out to our Undergraduate Admission team at admission@sage.edu.

Internship and Networking Opportunities

Employers that have hosted interns from Sage’s sport management degree program include the Madison Mallards collegiate summer baseball team, Nike Basketball Camp, New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc., and the New York State Department of Health.

Students in the Sport and Recreation Management program frequently hear from professionals in the field who visit classes and share their journey and responsibilities, encouraging internships that have led to jobs.

  • Laurel Hay, current club liaison for Whipsnakes LC, Premiere Lacrosse League
  • Afirm Nezaj, owner and founder of Afrim’s Sports Centers
  • Doug McClaine, former assistant general manager of the MVP Arena and general manager of the Capital Center
  • Molly McMaster Morgoslepov, author, cancer survivor, former professional ice hockey player, and current ninja trainer
  • David Brown, president and CEO of the Capital District YMCA
  • John “JR” Rickert, professional sports agent
  • Joe Alteri, assistant director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association
  • Amber Marino, executive director of 15 Love
  • Todd Czepiel, superintendent of Shaker Ridge Country Club
  • Matt Callahan, vice president and general manager of the Tri-City ValleyCats
  • Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Chamber of Commerce
  • Debby Goedeke, Albany County film commissioner
  • Brien Bouyea, director of communications for the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame
  • Sachi Vines, director of marketing for RPI Athletics
  • Ned Monthie, general management of the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Code Baseball League

Careers with a Degree in Sport Management

Sport management majors go on to work with professional and minor league teams, high school and college athletics departments, club-level athletics teams, private and public fitness facilities, camps, parks, athletics merchandise companies and more.

Individuals with a sports management degree work in a range of positions, including administration, sports information, advertising, marketing and public relations, sales, coaching, and facility and event management.

A man holding a soccer ball stands in front of three sports management professionals in a room with modern wooden shelves

Graduate Studies

If you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree at Russell Sage College, you can take graduate courses in your senior year and may be eligible to get prerequisite courses waived — this means you can earn a bachelor’s degree and graduate degree in about five years.

Our Sport and Recreation Management majors may receive assured or early acceptance to Russell Sage College’s:

A graduate degree is so much more than just more education. It is about being an expert and leader in your chosen field, and it signals to employers, managers, and recruiters that you are not only committed to your field but to personal excellence in your career. Russell Sage’s graduate programs aren’t centered on merely increasing knowledge – they are about teaching you to think, understand, and lead.

Tom Schreck
Director of Communications for Wildwood, author, and boxing historian

Next steps?

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Have questions about a degree in Sport Management?

MaryEllen Tedesco, M.S.
MaryEllen Tedesco, M.S.
Assistant Professor of Practice, Undergraduate Program Director for Business Administration and Department Chair
Robert Stulmaker
Robert Stulmaker, BS, MS, SAS, SDA, CAA
Adjunct Professor for Sport Management