What it’s about:

The sports and fitness administration major prepares you to apply the principle of business, coaching, and physical education to the management of athletic programs, sports teams, fitness facilities and health clubs, and sport recreation.

What the study of this major is like:

Sports are fun and exciting, but sports are also a business. Whatever aspect of sports and fitness administration you pursue, you will most likely need a solid business foundation. In most sports and fitness administration programs, you take courses in accounting, finance, management, economic, and marketing (and perhaps computer science and pre-calculus) before you begin sports-specific business courses.

Within the major, you generally take three types of courses. The first type is devoted to theory[em dash] the society, psychology, physiology, and history of sports. The second explores the fundamentals of business and management. Third type involves the application of management theory to specific aspects of the sports and fitness industry, such as marketing and public relations; sports law; business operation for sports, health, and fitness organizations; the organization of and management of events; media relations; broadcasting; and college athletics.

Because sports management is relatively difficult to break into, most programs include a fieldwork component or encourage you to get hands-on experience and to make valuable connections through internships. The type of internships offered by programs vary. Some colleges have connections to sport industries or are located near sports or broadcasting facilities that are willing to hire intern. You may also be able to work in facilities pm campus or at college-sponsored events.

In addition, programs at different colleges may have different emphases. Some programs focus on college athletics-how to create and nurture competitive teams, meet budgets, and maybe even coach. In programs that focus on spectator sports, you learn how to attract and satisfy fans. Programs that stress participant sports and fitness teach you how to find and manage individual athletes, or how to manage and operate health clubs and spas. Fitness-oriented programs will stress health related courses such as anatomy and physiology, nutrition, injury prevention, and physical training.

Career options and trends:

Athletic director; health club manager; sports broad-caster; promoter; sports agent or scout; fitness program coordinator; general manager.

Sports managers are concerned with the operation of many types of organizations: professional teams and leagues, college athletic departments and conference offices, and national and international amateur sports organizations. Sports and fitness administration graduates also serve the sport industry through club and facilities management, marketing and event promotion, and sports clothing and equipment sales and distribution.

Job prospects are generally excellent-the sports and fitness industry is strong and growing. There are minor fluctuations from year to year and small ups and downs in salaries for entry-level jobs, but even in tighter markets, sports fitness and administration majors who have initiative are in demand.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors