About the Program
A sports leadership degree provides the knowledge, skills and business and communications dispositions needed to break into the sports industry. You’ll learn about the future of data driven coaching and sports strategy, and gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills.
As a Sports Leadership student, you will choose from one of two tracks.
Sports and Athletic Administration
This track is geared towards students who hope to pursue management and leadership positions in collegiate athletics, professional sports franchises, and broader sport business entities.
Coaching and Personnel Development
This track best prepares students for careers in coaching, scouting, and the wellness industry, providing a holistic approach to understanding sports and individuals’ well-being.
Well-Rounded Learning
This major prepares students for careers in sports communications, marketing, coaching, scouting, fan engagement, sponsorship, youth recreation and sport and collegiate and high school athletic administration.
Cleveland Connections
The ¾«¶«AV campus and surrounding NE Ohio area provides the ideal viewpoint to study sports as a macro-business product. Besides Cleveland being home to 9 professional sports franchises, the ¾«¶«AV (Exercise Science and) Sports Leadership department has connections with local high school athletic directors, the Cleveland Guardians and ESPN Cleveland. JCU alumni include NFL leaders like David Caldwell, Nick Caserio, Josh McDaniels, Tom Telesco and David Ziegler. At least 50 JCU graduates are currently working in leadership, management, coaching, and personnel departments in the NFL, MLB, NBA.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
You’ll complete career exploration your first year followed by 36 hours of practicum experience during your sophomore and junior years, and a 150 hour internship your senior year, at places like ESPN Cleveland or the Cleveland Guardians.
Students in the globalization and sport class spend a semester learning about the role of sports and physical activity around the globe throughout time, before traveling to Ireland in the spring.
Clubs and Organizations
Sports Leadership students have a variety of clubs and organizations available to them on campus to supplement their in-classroom learning with hands-on application with their peers. Organizations Sports Leadership students can join include, but are not limited to:
- Fan Engagement (Carroll Crazies)
- JCU Sports Information
- Women in Sports Leadership Club
- Facility and Event Management
- Athletic administration
- JCU inter-collegiate teams: Football, wrestling, men's and women's basketball, men's soccer
- JCU Recreation/Intramurals
Key Courses
SPS 3306 – Sports Marketing
The management of sports at the professional, collegiate and special event levels, focusing on its role in planning and decision-making in attracting fans and sponsors.
SPS 3330 – Coaching Competencies
Understand the skills and knowledge needed for coaching different levels of sports, with a focus on analyzing coaching values, coaching styles and the coach-athlete relationship.
Notable Alum
