Passionate About Sports? Pursue a Career in the Sports Industry

Talented athletes. The thrill of competition. High-energy games. Diehard fans. The world of sports is exciting, whether you’re playing on the court or field, cheering in the stands—or even working behind the scenes. Passionate about sports? You do not have to be an all-star athlete to get involved in collegiate sports or turn sports into the dream career of a lifetime.

Sports business is a highly competitive field for anyone interested in a sports-related career. Professional opportunities exist in the fields of sports management, sales, marketing, event planning, law, facility management and intercollegiate athletics. Other potential career opportunities include professions in sports medicine, athletic training, coaching, physical education, kinesiology or athletic training.

Within sports business, you can narrow your pursuits by focusing on a niche. Are you interested in pro, minor, amateur or youth sports? Do you want to work in video, photography or journalism? Does a path in scouting, sales, marketing or social media sound like the perfect fit?

In “Turning Your Love of Sports into a College Career” by USA Today High School Sports, Dr. Brian Smith, assistant dean of the Colangelo College of Business and director of the sports business major, says, “Maybe [high school students] have played, maybe they have a passion for sports, a love of sports, and they’re wondering, ‘how can I stay involved with this?’ They might not be playing Division I, but can still be connected.”

“This is way more than the game on the floor. There’s this huge industry,” Smith adds.

Sports Opportunities at Grand Canyon University

Sports events are a product, entertainment and entire experience where sports industry professionals can build a long-term career. In response, GCU offers the following sports-related programs within its prestigious Colangelo College of Business:

• Bachelor of Science in Sports Management: Explore business in the sports industry with specific focus on current issues and trends, event planning, budgeting, site selection, sponsorship and facility management

• Bachelor of Science in Business Management with an Emphasis in Golf Management: Prepare for a career in golf management in recreational facilities, sports organizations, retail stores, or golf clubs and resorts

• Bachelor of Science in Business Management with an Emphasis in Tennis Management: Cultivate management, finance, marketing and organizational development skills for a career in tennis management within a variety of settings

• Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Sports Business: Strengthen business skills in sales, marketing, finance, revenue generation, analytics, accounting and management to advance a career in the global sports business industry

Hands-On Experience to Enhance Learning

Explore opportunities in sports business and management and get involved early. Build relationships, job shadow, volunteer, seek mentorship and gain hands-on experience throughout your college career. GCU students have interned with Position Sports and Nike Chi-League tournament in Chicago assisting the head event coordinator. Even volunteering at a high school basketball tournament can help lead you toward a major in sports business.

Also, Grand Canyon University recently unveiled the remodeled Grand Canyon University Golf Course, featuring a brand-new 22,000-square-foot clubhouse that includes the Lope House restaurant, pro shop and practice area. Open to the community for play and competition, the GCU Golf Course further serves as a hands-on, real-world learning environment for golf management students. If you’re in the golf management program, learning and working right on the course will help instill the career readiness necessary for entering a job after graduation.

Find your purpose with a challenging, yet rewarding career in the sports industry. Not only do you work within an exciting, fast-paced culture, but you’re building a long-term career in what you’re most passionate about—sports.

Learn more about GCU’s sports business and management programs in the Colangelo College of Business by visiting our website or contacting us today!

About Colangelo College of Business

Business Buzz is a business blog that features content written by faculty, staff and students from Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business. In addition to profiles about events, students and faculty on campus, you’ll also find great resources for online students or anyone interested in attending business school. Learn about the modern business landscape, and how business today continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of organizations and consumers in the 21st century. Check in every week for the latest news from the business community and around GCU.