Sport Studies Changes Name, Expands Programs

Soon after Provost Peter Bardaglio and Dean Steven Siconolfi arrived at IC in summer 2002, they affirmed the importance of the sport management (SM), sports information and communication (SIC), and sport studies (SS) majors to the academic mission of HSHP and the College. They encouraged the sport studies department to articulate a vision for its future in the form of a "new directions" plan.

Faculty members Wayne Blann, Ellen Staurowsky, and John Wolohan at a recent conference

Among the faculty decisions that ensued was the adoption of a new department name reflective of its primary focus: the Department of Sport Management and Media. "This was a strategic choice," explains Professor Ellen Staurowsky, who served as department chair during 2002-3, "part of a larger plan to not only maintain our current favorable position as a leader in the preparation of undergraduate students for careers in the sport industry but to emerge in an increasingly competitive market as the country's premier sport management and media program. For attracting students and promoting our graduates within the industry, we believe this name better reflects what we do, who we are, and what we will become."

The new name was the first of many exciting changes that have followed. "As of this summer," says Staurowsky, "with the addition of three new faculty members and the retention of our four senior faculty, we will have one of the finest full-time sport management and media faculties anywhere. The addition of associate professor Joel Maxcy, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from Washington State University, will allow us to expand our offerings in sport finance and economics. Assistant professor A. J. Moore, a former sportswriter with the Los Angeles Times and Philadelphia Inquirer, brings considerable experience in sport media. With a Ph.D. in mass communication from Temple University, he will teach new courses related to sport publications, sport video production, and sport media. And assistant professor Peter Han has completed all coursework for a doctorate in sport management at the University of Northern Colorado. Beyond a generalist background in events and sport management, he has vast knowledge in sport and information technology."

The faculty increase lets the department expand its current undergraduate curricular offerings and gives it flexibility to develop opportunities for graduate studies. "As a result of a relationship between our department and the business school," says Staurowsky, "undergraduate sport management majors who complete appropriate prerequisite courses and meet program requirements are now eligible to pursue an MBA and can complete an undergraduate sport management degree and an MBA within five years." The department is also working on a proposal for a full-blown master's degree in sport management. "If all goes well, students will be admitted into that program beginning in fall 2005," Staurowsky says.

Jason Gonella '94 with summer intern James Serratore '04 at Philadelphia Eagles Stadium

Besides their usual varied duties plus updating and expanding the curriculum, faculty have been publishing and making presentations. This spring Steve Mosher presented a paper on ethics and sport at a conference hosted by the Mendelson Center for Sports, Character, and Community at the University of Notre Dame. John Wolohan was the keynote speaker and lead lecturer in a weeklong program in England sponsored by the Anglia University Graduate Sports Law Pro-gram. Wolohan also wrote an article, "Major League Baseball Contraction and Antitrust Law," for the Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal. Staurowsky presented papers on the American Indian mascot issue and Title IX at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance convention in Philadelphia. Wayne Blann was also at the AAHPERD convention, meeting with sport management alumnus Jason Gonella '94 and TV-R alumnus Tom Jaronski '92 and touring the new NovaCare Center. Blann and Staurowsky each coauthored a chapter --- on sport marketing and intercollegiate athletics, respectively --- in the second edition of Contemporary Sport Management, published this spring.

Katie Centrella '04 interned with Threshold Sports Photo by David Wanderman

"In other news, our students and alumni continue to serve as accomplished ambassadors for the College and our programs," says Staurowsky. Jon Rothstein '03 (SIC) interned with Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network Online. His supervisors and mentors at the network were IC alumni Will Weiss '00 and Christopher Corbellini '95 (see "Class Notes" for 1995). Jason Gonella '94, vice president for corporate sales with the Philadelphia Eagles, mentored SM major James Serratore '04 (photo). SM major and all-American swimmer Katie Centrella '04 spent the summer serving as a communications intern for Threshold Sports, outside Philadelphia, while her classmate and fellow SM major Atsushi Sugiyama interned in community relations with the Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner. Justin Williams '04 (SIC) spent his second summer working as an intern in the sports marketing division at MBNA in Wilmington.