Courses
SPST-100 Intro to Sport Mgmt (3)
This course examines the contributions to culture of recreational as well as highly organized and competitive programs at the high school, college, and professional levels. An interdisciplinary approach is used to study participation and behavior in sport activities. The course considers the involvement of business and government in sport and the role of sport in economic activity. Descriptions of career opportunities are provided to help the student design a course of study that best meets his or her career goals.
Attributes: YLIBSPST-105 Sport Industry Seminar (3)
This three-credit seminar is designed to familiarize students with the range of career opportunities that exist within the sport industry as well as familiarize and develop a “toolbox” of skills necessary to navigate the profession. Understanding the importance of a handshake, learning to write an effective cover letter and designing an eye-catching résumé will all be addressed along with other professional necessities. This course is a prerequisite to the two required experiential opportunities in the major: the Practicum (SPST 390) and Internship (SPST 490).
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-100 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport ManagementSPST-120 PP&O of Athletics in Ed (3)
This 45 hour course is the first of three required courses that lead to NYSED interscholastic coaching certification. The course covers basic Philosophy, Principles and Organization of Athletics. Specific job-related expectations such as public relations, safety procedures, school budgeting, records, purchasing and use of facilities are introduced and explored. Through learning policies related to athletics, legal considerations of organizations and individuals, students will understand and establish personal standards for the responsibilities of the coach as an educational leader. (Note: This is the only course required for coaches of non-contact/non-strenuous sports: bowling, golf, archery, shuffleboard, table tennis). Graded S/U. Does not count as an SPST elective.
Attributes: NLIBSPST-121 Health Sci App to Coaching (3)
This 45 hour course is the second of three required courses that lead to NYSED interscholastic coaching certification. The course presents a series of interactive exercises and activities designed to study Health Sciences as they apply to coaching sports. Participants gain information, organize it for professional and personal use, and apply it to their coaching areas. Content includes selected principles of biology, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology related to coaching; risk minimization; mixed competition; NYSED selection and classification of athletes; and psychological aspects of athletes. Graded S/U. Does not count as an SPST elective.
Attributes: NLIBSPST-122 Theory &Tech of Coaching (3)
This 45 hour course is the final required course that leads to NYSED interscholastic coaching certification. It is required that individuals have taken the first two required classes prior to this one. Beginning with a broad foundation of concepts common to all sports and in New York State athletics specifically, students will move to more specific applications of coaching in their specific sport. Teaching performance skills, technical information, organization/management of practices, training/conditioning, equipment fitting, and other tasks required by the profession will be taught, observed, and practiced through course tasks. This learning leads to a required field experience as a coach in the specific sport and/or periods of observation with approved coaches. Graded S/U. Does not count as an SPST elective.
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: (SPST-120 D- OR EDUC-120 D-) AND (SPST-121 D- OR EDUC-121 D-)SPST-140 Athletes as Activists (3)
Sport is a microcosm of society rather than a separate entity. In this way, sport, and athletes specifically, have been change agents as well as the recipients of change, as what happens outside of sport shapes what happens inside and vice versa. This course explores the ways in which athletes and sport organizations engage in broader social issues and use their visibility and status to advocate and bring focus to particular societal concerns.
Attributes: SPHR YLIBSPST-190 Tpcs: Exploration in Sport (3)
This course provides an examination of current topics in sport. Students will broadly investigate a topic by considering how it influences and is influenced by society and culture, its evolution in the sport industry, and the interplay of stakeholders relevant to the topic.
Attributes: YLIB ZEXL
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport ManagementSPST-201P P3 Sport and Society (3)
A survey of the social relations among the stakeholders (athlete, coach, owner, fan, media) in sport. Emphasis is placed on how sports reflect and reinforce social issues and problems that exist in society today, such as drugs, violence, gambling, and discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, and religion.
Attributes: AMSS P3 SPHR YLIBSPST-203 History of Sport (3)
This course will examine the historical development of sports in American society from its earliest colonial form to the current multi-billion dollar industry we see today. This course will analyze the external and internal events, and or specific individuals, which have helped shape and define the sport industry.
Attributes: HINA HSCS SPHR YLIBSPST-205 CC Gender & Sport (3)
This course will examine how gender is seen, shaped, and encouraged through sport. By exploring how different sport identities and gender ideologies are combined and viewed, students will begin to better understand the contemporary landscape of sport.
Attributes: CC SPHR WGST YLIBSPST-212 Psychology of Sport (3)
An overview of the field of exercise psychology as it applies to sport. Both individual psychological behavior and team psychological behavior are examined. Topics include the psychology of competition, motivation, leadership, and aggression.Cross-listed with PSYC 212.
Attributes: SPHR YLIBSPST-215 Budgeting & Plan in Sport (3)
This course discusses the use of financial analytical tools to draw insights regarding a firm’s corporate objectives and performance, and to make management decisions regarding its future prospects in multiple sport industry contexts. Other topics are planning & forecasting, interest rates, risk, and the time value for money.
Attributes: NLIB SPBESPST-230 Esports & Digital Influencers (3)
Esports, competitive gaming, and the wider world of digital influencers is the fastest growing segment of entertainment. In this class, we dive into where it comes from, where it’s going, and how it’s changing the entertainment landscape. Topics range from the structure and business of Esports as the parallel to traditional sports, to how gaming streamers are changing the way people consume entertainment, to how social media is putting brand power into the hands of the individual instead of the large corporations. This class does not require a background in gaming or influencers, but rather it begins to layout the landscape for anyone interested in the wider field of digital media and gaming.
Attributes: NLIB SPBESPST-231 College Athletics (3)
An overview of the issues, problems, and concerns facing managers of collegiate athletics. Areas of emphasis include the organizational structure of college athletic departments, conferences, and the NCAA, as well as an analysis of current issues regarding academic and recruiting legislation, finances, and Title IX/gender equity.
Attributes: NLIB SPBESPST-232 Intercollegiate Athletics (3)
This course provides an overview of the historical and contemporary trends, issues, and problems within the various levels of college athletics. Class materials and discussion will focus on the role that sport plays in higher education and American society. Students will develop an understanding of the tangible and intangible structures that support college athletics.
Students who have received credit for SPST 231 College Athletics, may not receive credit for SPST 232.
Attributes: YLIBSPST-233 ESports & Creators (3)
Esports, competitive gaming, and the wider world of creators is a rapidly growing segment of sport and entertainment. In this class, students will explore the history and growth of Esports, examine how it’s changing the industry landscape, and develop perspectives of where it can go. Course content will include the parallel between Esports and traditional sport, consumption patterns of sport and entertainment, and the impact social media has creating connections with consumers. This course does not require a background in gaming or creators, but rather it begins to layout the landscape for anyone interested in the wider field of digital media and gaming.
Students who received credit for SPST 230 Esports & Digital Influencers may not receive credit for SPST 233.
Attributes: YLIBSPST-235 Ethics in Sport (3)
This course examines notions of fairness and morality in the context of playing sports as well as the management of sports. Through readings and discussion, we will explore various ethical issues, such as cheating, the role of violence in sports, and the nature of sportsmanship.
Attributes: SPHR YLIBSPST-240 Sport Law (3)
This course will introduce the student to the U.S. legal system and focus on the areas of tort, contract, agency, professional sport law issues and constitutional law as they apply to sport. An emphasis is placed on helping students identify legal issues, understand legal principles and apply those principles to legal problems. Additionally, the course is designed to help students think critically and frame persuasive written and verbal arguments by applying case law to factual settings.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-100 D-SPST-245 Software in Sport (3)
Being a successful sport practitioner requires knowledge of software that is used in the day to day activities of sport organizations. This course will provide introductory training of programs that are used in the sales, marketing, advertising, and dissemination of information from sport organizations
Attributes: NLIBSPST-250 Facility&Operations Mgmt (3)
This course explores the various aspects of facility and operation management, including budgeting, operations, marketing, media relations, public relations, volunteer management and risk management. The course combines concepts learned through reading and lectures, with practical experience on-campus and off-campus supplementing in-class materials.
Attributes: NLIB SPBE ZCIVSPST-255 Sustainability in Sport (3)
Throughout this course students examine sport organizations and sport business functions that have an impact on both the global and local environment. Sustainability is acknowledged as a global concern with local impacts that are both immediate and delayed. This course considers sustainability within varying segments of the sport industry that may include international, professional, intercollegiate, and youth sport, as well as recreation and fitness. As potential and actualized solutions are discussed, students explore relationships between stakeholders who are both internal and external to the sport industry.
Attributes: SPBE YLIBSPST-260 Sport & Recreation Mgmt (3)
This course reviews the overarching principles of recreation management and explores various philosophies, theories, and concepts of recreation and the value this has to the betterment of a modern, healthy society. Students will be exposed to the recreational programs and services of departments around the country; ultimately preparing their own seasonal brochure. An overview of potential career avenues (e.g. YMCA, Eco-tourism & Outdoor Recreation, aquatics facilities, collegiate & university leisure programming, Disney, the Cruise ship industry, corporate wellness) for those aspiring to work in this area of the sport industry will also occur.
Attributes: NLIB SPBESPST-261 Parks & Recreation (3)
In this course student will explore various philosophies, theories, and concepts of recreation and how it contributes to the betterment of a modern, healthy society. Students will learn about the variety of community programming within parks and recreation departments while also considering the relationship such departments have with the community within which they operate.
Students who have received credit for SPST 260 Sport & Recreation Mgmt may not receive credit for SPST 261.
Attributes: YLIBSPST-265 P5 Int’l Cultures & Sport (3)
This course will provide students with an in-depth analysis of the sport industry as it exists in countries around the world. Participants in the class will focus on the various professions that exist within the sporting realm and examine how recreational, scholastic, college/university, and professional sport contribute to the culture. Also explored will be the role government, the media, and business play in sport and the economic impact sport has within the focus countries and throughout the world. We will begin by examining the focus countries more closely; looking at such basics as geography, weather, food, political systems, general demographics, industries, educational systems and leisure interests. Research will then be conducted into the topic of sport, the sport industry in general, the history of various sports, various contemporary issues and finally how we, as Americans, and the natives of the focus countries view sport differently and similarly.Week long international trip, usually taken over Spring Break, is a required component of the course. Additional fees apply.
Attributes: ISFS P5 SPHR YLIB ZTRA
Pre-requisites: GPA >=2.75
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport ManagementSPST-270 P5 Culture Through Film (3)
This course uses sport films to examine relationships of power in society and the way those relationships are contested and reinforced. Regardless of race, class, gender, and status, sport has the ability to reach many. However, this ability to reach across demographics does not imply that each demographic has been treated equally or shares similar experiences in world culture. Hollywood’s use of film has provided a variety of competing discourses on many of these demographics. This course will examine the way in which filmmakers use sport to examine, explore, and reposition elements of culture and history. Students will engage with persons from other cultures in ways that develop empathy for members of non-dominant cultures and language groups. Students will also analyze questions of gender or ethnic/racial identity as they explore the cultural construction of difference.
Attributes: P5 SPHR YLIBSPST-280 Thry & Behav in Sport Orgs (3)
Course will explore the sport organization from the outside in. Beginning with how sport organizations are designed in hierarchy and control, moving to the inner workings of communication, politics, and culture, this course will help students gain an understanding of the different designs and behaviors that sport organizations subscribe to.
Attributes: YLIB
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanSPST-290 Sport Industry Experience (1 TO 3)
This course serves as a credit earning option for students completing valuable industry experience outside the normal sequence of their practicum and internship. Registration for the course requires a confirmed placement, agreed upon hours and length of experience to determine credit hours, and permission of advisor.
Graded S/U.
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-100 C
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport ManagementSPST-298 Intro to Sport Analytics (3)
This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore the world of sport analytics. Data-driven decision making has taken hold in all aspects of sport organizations from business decisions to player personnel decisions. Along with that comes new opportunities in sport organizations for candidates who can understand and work with data. Students will develop their skills working with statistics software.
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: ECON-221 D-
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanSPST-320 Sport Marketing&Promotions (3)
This course focuses on application of the principles of promotion and marketing to the sport and fitness industry. Comprising the industry includes the area of professional sports, corporate fitness, college/high school athletics, clubs and resorts. The function of the course is threefold: first, it is intended to provide Sport Management students with a broad appreciation of marketing; second, it will provide students with an up-to-date understanding of marketing concepts as they are currently being applied in various sport management contexts; and finally, it is intended to provide a foundation for those students who plan to do advanced study and work in marketing.
Attributes: NLIB ZCIV
Pre-requisites: (MGMT-221 D- OR MKTG-221 D-) AND SPST-100 D-SPST-330 Economics of Sport (3)
This course investigates numerous microeconomic aspects of the sports entertainment industry. Among these are the pricing and allocation of labor, the determination of franchise values, and the role of regulation for this unique industry. In particular, the market for sports is discussed in the context of the well-known leagues such as Major League Baseball, the NBA, and the NFL. Lastly, other forms of entertainment, such as the music industry, are analyzed on the basis of structure, pricing, and marketing practices.Cross-listed with ECON 330.
Attributes: SPBE YLIB
Pre-requisites: ECON-105C D-SPST-350 Negotiations & Athlete Rep (3)
This course examines the core areas of both law and business as they apply to athlete representation. The course provides students with an in-depth examination of the responsibilities and supports that professional athletes require from their representatives. Those responsibilities covered in the course include negotiating tactics, contracts, arbitrations, and insurance and tax implications. The consequences of athlete representation as they affect the amateur status of athletes are also explored.
Attributes: NLIB PLAW SPBE
Pre-requisites: MGMT-203 D- OR SPST-240 D-SPST-365D CC International Sport (3)
This course explores international organizations within the field of sport from a political, cultural, management, and business perspective. The course encompasses the identification of popular and obscure sports on the world stage. Additionally, the course focuses on the framework of sport in relation to recognized international organizations and governing agencies.
Attributes: CC ISFS SPBE YLIBSPST-375 Sport and Social Media (3)
This course examines how and why sports fans make connections to favorite sports, teams, athletes and experts through social media at all levels. Historical, sociological and geographical relationships are examined via readings, lectures, seminar discussions and computer lab work. The course includes the practical application of branding, selling, and communicating via social media for athletes, coaches and teams.
Attributes: SPHR YLIB
Pre-requisites: -
Restrictions: Excluding: -Class: FreshmanSPST-380 Sales and Client Services (3)
Selling is perhaps the most valuable skill to acquire in all of business; in sport, the ability to convince others to purchase products and services drives the multi-billion dollar industry. This class discusses techniques and provides real-life sales experiences imperative to a successful sport manager. Outside speakers, practitioners who spend their lives selling, offer insight into what makes a successful salesperson.
Attributes: NLIB ZCIV
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport Management -Class: Junior, SeniorSPST-385 Service Learn Sport Managers (3)
This interactive classroom learning environment examines community service learning and character education as a means for engaging high-school-aged youth and partnering with them to promote a message of sportsmanship. Students work with local high school administrators, coaches, and students to develop strategies for addressing issues of sportsmanship in their schools, communities, leagues.
Attributes: YLIBSPST-390 Practicum (3)
The first of two experiences required of the major, students are able to apply classroom theory & concepts to the real-life, day to day activities of a sport-related organization. A number of different experiential opportunities exist within the Rochester area as well as on campus. Whether the student is interested in the area of professional sports, facility operations, college athletics, event management, sport marketing, player representation, corporate wellness, municipal recreation, fitness club management or sport reporting, the resources exist to gain invaluable experience just around the corner.
The process begins by first having a meeting with the Director of Experiential Learning and Outreach. A Letter of Proposal is then prepared by the student before a decision is rendered. A minimum of 120 hours is expected to be invested along with the completion of two (2) evaluations, written papers and other specific assignments relating to the practicum placement.
Permission of the program director is required to register.
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-105 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport Management -Class: Junior, SeniorSPST-395 Research in Sport (3)
This course provides an overview of how qualitative and quantitative research is used in the sport industry. Students will gain understanding of the process, tools, rewards and challenges associated with obtaining information that can have an impact on action, performance, and decision making in sport. During the course, students will compare various forms of information gathering, explore forms of information and data analysis, and how to effectively communicate key conclusions to stakeholders.
Students who have received credit for SPST 399 Research & Evaluation, may not receive credit for SPST 395.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: ECON-221 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport StudiesSPST-398 Interm. Sport Analytics (3)
In the ever-changing sport landscape, the use of analytics and statistical analysis is becoming more and more prevalent. Students will be put into the role of a front office decision maker in the sport of baseball where they will learn statistical analysis techniques that can help drive decisions. To perform advanced statistical analysis students will be exposed to the R programming language, which is often utilized by many professional sport organizations. Although the focus of the class will be baseball, students will be given opportunities and encouraged to connect to other sports.
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-298 D-SPST-399 Research and Evaluation (3)
This course focuses on the research and evaluation process in the field of sport management. Students first gain an understanding of how research and evaluation are commonly used in the sport management industry and then take a hands-on approach to understanding the various approaches to research. Building on skills acquired in learning communities, 199 courses, and work produced in other courses, students learn how to conduct and report on research. Topics include problem selection, literature review, instrumentation, methodology, and types of research commonly used in sport management. Time is divided between the process of formal evaluation and the use of quantitative and qualitative research. As a culminating project, students are asked to develop their own evaluation or research project that becomes the basis for their senior research project.
Attributes: NLIB ZRES
Pre-requisites: ECON-221 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport ManagementSPST-401 Sport Business & Finance (3)
A study of financing and accounting principles as applied to managerial control of sport organizations. Emphasis is on forms of ownership, taxation, financial analysis, feasibility studies, and economic impact studies.
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: ECON-221 D- OR STAT-160 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Junior, SeniorSPST-420 Sport Leadership & Ethics (3)
As a capstone course, this course works to assimilate lessons learned throughout the program with a focus on ethical decision making as well as strategies and techniques employed by successful and unsuccessful leaders across many industries. Class focus will be on the development of skills and knowledge necessary to be an active participant in the process of building and sustaining an excellent organization/company. Additionally, students will examine the notions of fairness and morality as they relate to the management of sport and will concentrate on those concepts as they pertain to real sport industry examples.
Attributes: NLIB ZCAP ZCIV ZRES
Pre-requisites: SPST-390 C
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport Management -Class: SeniorSPST-421 Capstone Project (1)
This class will apply the concepts learned throughout a student’s educational experience in a culminating capstone project. Working as a collective group, students will undergo an in-depth exploration of an issue currently facing the sport industry.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-390 C OR SPST-420 Y C
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport ManagementSPST-422 Leadership in Sport (3)
In this course, students will explore various leadership philosophies, styles, and examples present in the sport industry. Students will have opportunities to explore their own leadership skills in addition to broader communication practices that accompany effective leadership. Ethical dilemmas and considerations will be explored within the context of sport and leadership behaviors.
Students who have received credit for SPST 420 Policy in Sport, may not receive credit for SPST 422.
Attributes: YLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-390 D- AND SPST-421 Y D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport StudiesSPST-460 Event Plan&Sponsor Sales (3)
Readings and discussion on the various aspects of sports events planning and management. Includes budgeting, operations, marketing, sponsorship sales, media relations, public relations, and volunteer management. Students will apply knowledge to the implementation of an actual event.
Attributes: NLIB SPBE
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport Management -Class: Junior, SeniorSPST-490 Internship (3 TO 6)
Students are able to explore career opportunities and gain practical experience through an approved work experience in a local, regional or nationally recognized sport-oriented business or organization. The College’s internship policy applies, with additional requirements and responsibilities to be determined in consultation with the Director of Experiential Learning and Outreach. A minimum of 400 hours is required for the internship. As a result of the extensive commitment of time expected to be made, the course is offered in the summer as well as the fall/spring semesters.
The process begins by first having a meeting with the Director of Experiential Learning and Outreach. A Letter of Proposal is then prepared by the student before a decision is rendered. A minimum of 400 hours is expected to be invested along with the completion of two (2) evaluations, written papers and other specific assignments relating to the practicum placement.
Permission of the department chair is required.
Attributes: NLIB ZCAP
Pre-requisites: SPST-390 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport Management -Class: Junior, SeniorSPST-493 Advanced Field Experience (12)
This is a selective program that directly involves students with an approved sport organization for an entire semester. Eligible students will have demonstrated both excellence in the classroom and an ability to work independently. The College’s internship policy applies, with additional requirements and responsibilities to be determined in consultation with the Director of Experiential Learning and Outreach. A minimum of 600 hours is required for the Advanced Field Experience.Permission of the department chair is required.
Attributes: NLIB ZCAP
Pre-requisites: SPST-390 D- AND GPA >=3.00
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport Management -Class: SeniorSPST-496 Independent Study (1 TO 3)
Independent study allows students and supervising faculty to work on a special topic or project of mutual interest. The course is intended to allow students to explore areas of study not regularly available.
Attributes: NLIB
Completion of the Independent Study/Tutorial Authorization form is required.
Restrictions: Including: -Major: Sport Management -Class: Junior, SeniorSPST-497 Baseball OPS Challenge (3)
Each fall a team of sport management students is chosen to represent the college at the national baseball operations case challenge. Team members meet during the months of December, January, and February to prepare for the competition, which is usually held on a weekend at the beginning of March. Sports management programs, and other graduate and undergraduate programs across the country compete against each other by preparing an analysis and presentation of a real baseball operations decision–the type of decision a team’s General Manager and his staff is faced with over the course of a season. Five-person teams of students are asked to evaluate proposed player transactions, apply statistical analysis of player performance and assess the financial impact of the team’s proposed moves.
This course is typically comprised of seniors who are full-time students and who have previously taken SPST 240 and, if possible, SPST 350. This course may be used by sport management majors to fulfill one of their three sport management business electives.
Permission of the instructor is required to register.
Attributes: NLIB
Pre-requisites: SPST-240 D-
Restrictions: Including: -Class: SeniorSPST-1025 Sport and American Culture (3)
This course explores the resonance with which sport operates as a lens on American cultural values. A close look is taken at the role of sports in our culture in the 20th century, contextualizing our understanding of current figures and trends through a consideration of earlier figures such as Red Grange, Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Jack Johnson, and Babe Didrikson Zaharias. This interdisciplinary investigation of the role of sports in American culture combines films, histories, sociological studies, novels, and biographies.
Attributes: LC YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman -Attribute: New Core 20-21SPST-1197 Data Analysis Sport Wager (3)
Using the different aspects of sport wagering as a foundation, this course provides students an introduction to quantitative data analysis as well as the fundamentals of regression analysis. Topics covered include variable relationships, probabilities, market analysis, and basic modeling. These subjects are tied together by developing an understanding of the functional relationship between a sportsbook and the people wagering against the house. This is accomplished through examining data sets, completing case studies, and reviewing live situations.
Attributes: DA YLIB
Restrictions: Including: -Class: Freshman, Sophomore -Attribute: New Core 20-21