SHIELDS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Sports Administration, Bachelor of Science
Co-Major
Why Study Sports Administration at Saint Francis University?
Sports Administration is a great path if you want to turn your passion for sports into a professional career which could include leading athletic organizations, managing events, building sports brands, or creating media content that engages fans. The B.S. in Sports Administration at Saint Francis University is offered as a co-major that you pair with another academic major such as communications, marketing, or management. This approach provides broader career preparation than a stand-alone sports management degree.
The SFU Advantage
Here is how this program helps you get ready for the job market:
- Athletic Excellence: With athletics deeply woven into the SFU experience, you gain hands-on opportunities to work alongside Red Wolves athletic programs, sporting events, and industry professionals while developing the leadership, communication, and management skills needed for careers in the growing sports industry.
- Laser-Focused: Designed as a co-major, this program features 36 credits of highly targeted sports industry courses plus supporting business and communications content.
- Competitive Pairing: Earn two majors as an undergrad and rise above the pack! You'll couple your Sports Admin degree with second degree of your choice to gain specialized skills other job candidates lack.
- Real-world Experience: Practicums within your courses place you in athletic departments, sports organizations, community programs, marketing initiatives, or event operations where you apply classroom concepts in real-world settings.
- Ethical Leaderhip: Prepare to lead with character and purpose through coursework that integrates ethical decision-making, Franciscan values, and contemporary issues in sports administration.
Out-Of-Classroom Opportunities: Prestigious internships, Spring Break in London, Mentorship Day, active student business organizations, and student certification programs give Shields School of Business students practical ways to build professional skills, expand their networks, and prepare for career success.
Offered: On-Campus
Is Sports Administration Right for Me?
SA careers can appeal to different types of people.
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Are fascinated by how teams build brands and engage fans? Do you see yourself following sports on social media, creating content, and telling great stories?
Courses such as Sports Communication, Social Media Strategies, Sports Marketing, and Communications electives allow you to develop skills in digital storytelling, media relations, branding, and audience engagement.
Potential Careers: Social media manager Sports information director Media relations coordinator Sports marketing specialist Digital content producer
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Do you loves sports but find yourself gravitating to the business side of athletics (running organizations, finance operations, event planning, business analytics and decision-making, or even entrepreneurship opportunities)?
In the Sports Administration Co-Major you can integrate business fundamentals such as accounting, management, marketing, and sports law with sport-specific courses and internships, preparing you to be the one making strategic decisions in sports organizations.
Potential Careers: sports marketing manager, event and facility manager, corporate partnerships coordinator, ticket sales manager, sports business analyst
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Are you an athlete who loves everything about sports and wants to stay involved in athletics long after your playing career ends?
This program gives you a deeper understanding of how athletic organizations operate beyond a player's perspective. It combines sport management, sport law, event management, and intercollegiate athletics coursework with hands-on practicum experiences to build your insight.
Potential Careers: athletic administrator, athletic director, team operations coordinator, sports facility manager, college athletics staff member
Are fascinated by how teams build brands and engage fans? Do you see yourself following sports on social media, creating content, and telling great stories?
Courses such as Sports Communication, Social Media Strategies, Sports Marketing, and Communications electives allow you to develop skills in digital storytelling, media relations, branding, and audience engagement.
Potential Careers: Social media manager Sports information director Media relations coordinator Sports marketing specialist Digital content producer
Do you loves sports but find yourself gravitating to the business side of athletics (running organizations, finance operations, event planning, business analytics and decision-making, or even entrepreneurship opportunities)?
In the Sports Administration Co-Major you can integrate business fundamentals such as accounting, management, marketing, and sports law with sport-specific courses and internships, preparing you to be the one making strategic decisions in sports organizations.
Potential Careers: sports marketing manager, event and facility manager, corporate partnerships coordinator, ticket sales manager, sports business analyst
Are you an athlete who loves everything about sports and wants to stay involved in athletics long after your playing career ends?
This program gives you a deeper understanding of how athletic organizations operate beyond a player's perspective. It combines sport management, sport law, event management, and intercollegiate athletics coursework with hands-on practicum experiences to build your insight.
Potential Careers: athletic administrator, athletic director, team operations coordinator, sports facility manager, college athletics staff member
The Power of And
Sports Administration the Saint Francis Way
At Saint Francis University, we believe the most meaningful journeys happen when you embrace the Power of And. Your education is more than a major: it's an opportunity to connect personal growth with career preparation. Here you'll develop your unique talents and interests while building a strong foundation for your future career. Because at Saint Francis, you're never just one thing.
Many Paths, Find Yours
The way we have structured the Sports Administration program at SFU offers you a wide variety of pathways to your future career. Feel free to delve into the curriculum section below to find examples, but we'd love a chance to discuss your individual path with you. The best way to explore what your student experience at SFU could really look like is to schedule a visit!
CURRICULUM & COURSES
What You’ll Learn in the Sports Administration Program
The Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration program prepares students for professional careers in the sport industry by integrating foundational business principles, sport administration practices, sports communication, and media strategies. The program emphasizes ethical leadership, strategic decision-making, effective communication, and experiential learning to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies necessary to succeed in the dynamic and global sport industry.
Sports Management
Explore the business of sports through leadership, governance, organizational strategy, and industry trends while gaining real-world experience with a hands-on practicum.
Sports Marketing
Learn how teams, leagues, and brands engage fans through sponsorships, promotions, digital campaigns, and social media strategies.
Sports Facilities & Event Management
Develop the skills to plan, coordinate, and manage sporting events and venues, from game-day operations and logistics to risk management and hospitality.
Sports Communication
Build professional communication skills for athletics, media relations, public relations, and sports storytelling across traditional and digital platforms.
Intercollegiate Athletics in Higher Education
Examine the inner workings of college athletics, including NCAA governance, compliance, Name, Image & Likeness (NIL), student-athlete welfare, and athletic administration.
Ethical Issues in Sports
Analyze today's most pressing issues in sport, including athlete welfare, competitive integrity, equity, leadership, and ethical decision-making.
Sports Law
Gain an understanding of the legal issues that shape the sports industry, including contracts, liability, governance, and compliance.
Experiential Learning
Put classroom knowledge into practice through multiple embedded practicums, internships, and applied projects with athletic departments, sport organizations, and industry partners.
Flexible Electives
Customize your experience with courses in digital marketing, public relations, analytics, sales, event planning, sports psychology, graphic design, and more.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration program will be able to:
- Apply Sport Management Principles Demonstrate knowledge of core sport administration functions including sport marketing, finance, governance, facility and event management, and organizational leadership in ways that promote responsible management and the well-being of sport organizations and their communities.
- Demonstrate Effective Sports Communication Produce clear, professional written, oral, and digital communications tailored to sport organizations, media outlets, and diverse sport audiences while demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and respect for diverse perspectives.
- Utilize Media and Digital Sport Platforms Analyze and apply contemporary sports media tools—including social media strategy, sports journalism practices, digital storytelling, and broadcast communication—to responsibly communicate sport narratives and engage communities.
- Conduct Sport Industry Analysis Evaluate sport organizations, leagues, and events using data, market analysis, and strategic management frameworks to support informed decision-making and responsible sport management practices.
- Demonstrate Ethical and Responsible Decision-Making Apply ethical reasoning and professional standards when addressing issues in sport governance, athlete welfare, media coverage, and sport business operations, demonstrating respect for human dignity, fairness, and social responsibility.
- Plan and Execute Sport Events and Programs Design, organize, and evaluate sport events, promotions, and community sport initiatives using effective planning, marketing, and operational strategies that foster community engagement and positive social impact.
- Apply Professional Skills in Experiential Settings Demonstrate workplace readiness through internships, practicums, or applied projects within sport organizations, athletic departments, media outlets, or sport marketing firms while exhibiting professionalism, leadership, and a commitment to service.
- Collaborate in Professional Sport Environments Work effectively in diverse teams to solve problems, manage projects, and support the goals of sport organizations and stakeholders while fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and inclusive sport communities.
Interdisciplinary Expertise Here For You
Housed in the Shields School of Business under the Department of Communications & Criminal Justice, the Sports Administration program combines business, leadership, communications, and media expertise to prepare students for careers across the sport industry. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to study with faculty from diverse fields.
Department Contact: Dr. Kelly Rhodes, 814-472-3379, krhodes@francis.edu
Career Outcomes for Sports Administration Majors
The career outlook for Sports Administration is strong because the sports industry continues to grow through expanding media rights, digital streaming, sponsorships, fan engagement, and event operations. Graduates who combine business, marketing, communication, and media skills are especially well positioned for employment in today's sport industry.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may pursue careers such as:
- Sports Marketing Coordinator
- Media Relations Coordinator
- Sports Information Director
- Athletic Communications Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Event and Facility Manager
- Ticket Sales and Fan Engagement Manager
- Corporate Sponsorship and Partnership Manager
- Digital Content Producer A
- Athletic Administrator
These positions can be found with professional sports teams, college and university athletic departments, sports marketing agencies, sports media organizations, governing bodies and leagues, recreation and community sports organizations
Salary Potential
Sports Administration graduates can pursue careers with strong earning potential that grows with experience and specialization. National data cited in the program proposal indicate that professionals with a sports management degree earn an average salary of approximately $59,900 per year, with many mid-career professionals earning between $44,000 and $95,000 annually depending on their role and experience.
Graduates who move into specialized leadership positions may earn significantly more. For example, public relations specialists earn a median salary of about $66,750, athletic directors often earn $85,000 or more, facilities managers earn approximately $97,930, and marketing managers can earn median salaries exceeding $138,000 annually.
While many graduates begin in entry-level roles such as event coordination, athletic communications, or ticket sales, the combination of business, marketing, communication, and experiential learning opportunities in the Sports Administration program provides a pathway to long-term career advancement and increased earning potential.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Administration
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Sports Administration is the business side of sports. Students learn how sports organizations operate through coursework in management, marketing, communications, law, event management, and leadership while gaining hands-on experience in real-world sport settings.
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Absolutely. The program complement the interests of our Saint Francis Red Wolves student-athletes while preparing them for careers in the sport industry after graduation.
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Yes. The program includes embedded practicum experiences in Sports Management, Sports Marketing, and Sports Facilities & Event Management, giving students direct experience with athletic departments, sports organizations, events, and marketing initiatives.
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Yes, you will earn a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration along with a second bachelor's degree. The goal of a co-major is to make sure you have a flexible, marketable foundation for your future. The sports industry needs professionals who understand both the business of athletics and can offer specialized skills from other professional disciplines.
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Yes. Sports Administration is designed as a co-major, allowing students to pair it with another academic program and still graduate in four years. With just 36 credits of specialized coursework, the program complements majors such as Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Communications, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Exercise Physiology. Careful advising and shared coursework make it possible for students to gain expertise in both their primary field and the sport industry without extending their time to degree.
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As a co-major, Sports Administration allows you to easily combine sport-industry focused coursework with another academic major such as communications, marketing, or management This approach provides broader career preparation than a stand-alone sports management or sports administration degree.
Sports Administration is the business side of sports. Students learn how sports organizations operate through coursework in management, marketing, communications, law, event management, and leadership while gaining hands-on experience in real-world sport settings.
Absolutely. The program complement the interests of our Saint Francis Red Wolves student-athletes while preparing them for careers in the sport industry after graduation.
Yes. The program includes embedded practicum experiences in Sports Management, Sports Marketing, and Sports Facilities & Event Management, giving students direct experience with athletic departments, sports organizations, events, and marketing initiatives.
Yes, you will earn a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration along with a second bachelor's degree. The goal of a co-major is to make sure you have a flexible, marketable foundation for your future. The sports industry needs professionals who understand both the business of athletics and can offer specialized skills from other professional disciplines.
Yes. Sports Administration is designed as a co-major, allowing students to pair it with another academic program and still graduate in four years. With just 36 credits of specialized coursework, the program complements majors such as Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Communications, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Exercise Physiology. Careful advising and shared coursework make it possible for students to gain expertise in both their primary field and the sport industry without extending their time to degree.
As a co-major, Sports Administration allows you to easily combine sport-industry focused coursework with another academic major such as communications, marketing, or management This approach provides broader career preparation than a stand-alone sports management or sports administration degree.