Sport Management
SHAPING ETHICAL, DYNAMIC LEADERS FOR A WINNING CAREER IN AN EVER-GROWING INDUSTRY
Valparaiso University’s sport management program provides students with a robust theoretical foundation and practical experience in the business of sport. This comprehensive program covers financial trends, facility and event management, and ethical decision-making, developing effective and values-based leaders who are prepared to excel in professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, and community recreation.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Valpo’s unique value extends beyond the classroom and into the real world by offering one of the few assessment centers in the country. Valpo’s College of Business Assessment Center evaluates student performance on realistic business tasks while assessing problem-solving, communication, leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. College of Business students participate in the Assessment Center activities during their freshman year in conjunction with BUS 100 and their senior year in conjunction with MGT 475. Students are provided percentage-based scores to show how their performance stacked up against their peers, all while comparing how much they grew from their first year to final year of college. The assessment and results provide students with real-world experience and a strong addition to their resumé.
THE VALPO ADVANTAGE
Small class sizes, supportive professors, extensive team and group work, and state-of-the-art technology are key components of the College of Business student experience and provide graduates with a competitive advantage in the job market and graduate school placement. In 2023, 99% of Valpo graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation and reported an average starting salary of $57,000.
Valpo’s College of Business programs are fully accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business programs.
GUARANTEED INTERNSHIPS
Our comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and experiential curriculum ensures that students learn the skills they need to become leaders in their workplace and advance in their careers, no matter where life takes them. They gain both quantitative and qualitative knowledge and apply this knowledge to real-world situations through guaranteed internships, study abroad experiences, research, and national honor society or professional group membership opportunities.
CAREER OUTLOOK
A sport management degree can lead to a variety of careers. Valpo graduates have gone on to partner with the following organizations in the following roles:
• City parks and recreation directors
• Collegiate athletic directors
• Collegiate recreation sports directors
• Division I head coaches
• Fitness center owners
• Golf course personnel
• High school athletic directors
• Motor Speedway personnel
• National governing body personnel
Learn More
‘‘The sport management program at Valpo provides meaningful coursework with hands-on learning experience both inside and outside of the classroom. Professors foster a welcoming environment that helps you grow and excel, personally and professionally.
‘‘• Professional sport team business office personnel
• Researchers and academics in sport management and administration
• Special Olympics personnel
• Sport agency representative
• Sport broadcast network off icials
• Sporting equipment and apparel sales and logistics
• Sport marketing professionals
A VALPO EDUCATION
At Valpo, you receive a comprehensive, rigorous education within the liberal arts tradition, learning to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems creatively. Our committed faculty invests in the success of students both in and out of the classroom, providing you the individualized attention and guidance fundamental to reaching your full potential.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
For information on scholarships and awards, visit valpo.edu/financialaid
We’ve compiled all the pertinent information about the business management program — including courses, practical experience, careers, salary information, and rankings — on our website. Ready to learn more? Get started at valpo.edu/sport-management.
Valparaiso University admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. (For a full statement, see valpo.edu.)
Emily Eisha ‘24 Majors: Sport management, communication