Sport Management at Ithaca College

Build your future in the exciting world of sport with a Sport Management degree. Since 1990, our nationally respected program has helped students launch careers in sport business, marketing, events, and venue operations.
group of sport management students at the Super Bowl
Game On!

Earn a sport management degree and develop the skills, experience, and industry connections to lead in the fast-growing sport industry. 

Learn more about the degree

A Sport Management Degree for Future Sport Industry Leaders

If you thrive on the excitement of game day, the energy of packed stadiums, and the business behind sports, a Sport Management degree could be the perfect fit. Imagine planning major sporting events, creating unforgettable fan experiences, securing sponsorships, or working with professional sports teams, college athletic programs, and athletes. Since 1990, Ithaca College's Sport Management program has earned a strong reputation and is recognized by sport industry professionals nationwide.

Turn your passion for sports and business into a rewarding career. Our sport management major combines sport-specific coursework with a strong business foundation, preparing you for careers across the sport industry. You'll develop skills in sport analytics, marketing, event management, sales, leadership, and operations while gaining a deep understanding of how the business of sport works. Whether your interests lie in professional sports, college athletics, youth and community sports, or emerging areas of the industry, you'll graduate prepared to lead and succeed in a dynamic and growing field.

Your Journey in the Sport Industry Begins in Your First Semester

From your first semester, you'll dive into the exciting world of sport management through Introduction to Sport Management. As a sport management major, you'll explore a wide range of sport industry careers, gain insight into the business of sport, and begin building connections with Ithaca College's extensive network of alumni and industry professionals.

You'll discover career opportunities in areas such as professional sports, college athletics, sport marketing, event management, sponsorship, sales, and operations while developing the knowledge and skills employers value most. Alongside your sport management coursework, you'll strengthen your communication, leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities, preparing you for success in the fast-growing sport industry and beyond.

Sport Management Faculty

Meet our sport management faculty and learn from industry experts with real-world experience and professional connections.

Meet the Faculty

A Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management that Includes a Strong Business Foundation

Students standing in a basketball arena.

Begin your journey from day one, in World of Business, an innovative first-year course designed to help you explore the many possibilities within the business world. Through hands-on team projects, you’ll learn the fundamentals of branding, investing, budgeting, and entrepreneurship, culminating in presentations to alumni, executives, and faculty.

The opportunities do not end there - you’ll benefit from our unparalleled industry relationships and access to place you at the center of the sport industry. 

Past students have participated in faculty-led internship experiences at the:

  • Winter and Summer Olympics
  • Super Bowl
  • NCAA Basketball Final Four
  • NCAA national championship events

Student Organizations That Prepare You for Careers in Sport Management and Sport Sales

Our clubs are open to all students and are a great way to build your resume, gain hands-on experience, develop leadership skills, and connect with others who share a passion for sports and the business of sport.

IC Sport Management Association

The Ithaca College Sport Management Association gives you valuable hands-on experience while preparing you for a successful career in the sport industry. Club members also plan, market, and manage campus events such as dodgeball tournaments, three-point shooting contests, and other engaging activities, helping students develop leadership, event management, and sports marketing skills. Through networking events, guest speakers, and industry connections, students gain career advice from sports industry professionals and expand their professional networks. We also offer resume workshops, cover letter boot camps, and LinkedIn development sessions to help you prepare for internships and careers in sport management, sport sales, and sport business.

IC Sport Sales Club

The IC Sport Sales Club helps Ithaca College students gain a competitive edge in sport sales careers and the broader sports business industry. Our mission is to prepare students for success by developing the sales skills, industry knowledge, and professional confidence needed to excel in sport sales and sports business careers. Members participate in ongoing professional sales trainings, connect with industry leaders through guest speaker events, and gain valuable hands-on experience through workshops, networking opportunities, and experiential learning in the sport industry.

Sport Industry Careers and Job Opportunities

As a graduate of one of the nation's leading sport management programs, you'll join a powerful alumni network working throughout the sport industry. Graduates launch careers in sport business, event management, sales, marketing, and operations, with early roles such as account executive or representative, game or event coordinator, and operations assistant. 

Examples of where our alumni work include:

  • BSE Global/Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • National Basketball Association
  • National Football League
  • NY Mets
  • NY Yankees

Contact Us

Rachel Madsen, Sport Program Coordinator
315 Park Center for Sustainable Enterprise
Ithaca College • 953 Danby Rd. • Ithaca, NY 14850

607-274-7901