Sport Management
If you have a passion for sports, a keen sense for business and a natural talent for promotions, a sport management degree from St. Ambrose will merge your ability and drive with the skills to manage a semi-professional league, run a golf course, or raise funds for an at-risk youth sports camp.
Our graduates work for the St. Louis Cardinals, Charlotte (North Carolina) Knights Triple-A baseball team, Columbus (Ohio) Bluejackets NHL hockey team, Gateway Grizzlies Professional Baseball, Iowa Cubs Triple-A baseball team, Short Hills Country Club, Wheels Up Charter Jets, and many more.
Ambrose Advantages
- Relevant Skills for Sports and Business
- Close Faculty Guidance
- Internships Match Your Interests
Our Sport Management program is unique, hands-on, and catered to your individual goals. SAU faculty have community connections on the ice rink, baseball field, arenas, and more. You can explore all the field offers. Become a roaring success.
See our fact sheet on the sport management major
New Wellness and Recreation Center
SAU students share in this video how the new Wellness and Recreation Center already has enhanced their St. Ambrose experience.
Come see for yourself
Our campus tour takes visitors through the facility!
Click here to see what's inside
Schedule your visit and take a campus tour
More Information About Sport Management
As a sport management major, you get a broad background in marketing, management, and sports, including courses in accounting, economics, sport sociology, marketing, finance, and law. You will learn marketing, public relations, business ethics, visual communications, and financing sport organizations.
Our Kinesiology and Business professors pull from diverse fields of expertise and research, and they focus on giving you a well-rounded education. You must be willing to engage in learning, and jump into opportunities to participate and serve, whether in the classroom, on campus or in the community.
You'll get to create and strengthen connections in the sport management industry, as well as show off your drive and initiative, during a culminating internship. The Quad Cities is one of the top minor league sports markets in the U.S., and your professors have strong relationships with regional fitness and sport organizations. You get a wide range of local internship and placement options, including with local professional teams, fitness facilities, athletic programs, and sport venues.
Read Why SAU Sport Management Interns Are Considered an Invaluable Resource.
Rasheed DeBord '18 enjoyed close faculty support throughout his educational journey at SAU. Today he works for the St. Louis Cardinals. Read his story here.
You've heard people say it before: "College will be the greatest time of your life!" With Study Abroad, you can add even more to your college years.
You can study in another country in a semester-long or short-term study abroad program (with a few offered during spring and winterim breaks). No matter the duration, these trips deepen your professional education while earning credit toward graduation.
There are also opportunities through an exchange program, an overseas internship, or volunteering. The limits for Study Abroad are only ones you set for yourself! SAU students have studied in Italy, Costa Rica, Australia, Korea, United Kingdom, Spain, Ecuador, Japan, Germany, Peru, Cyprus, Croatia, Belize, Canada, Chile, and more.
SAU students returning from their Study Abroad locations talk about their time away as life-changing – personally, emotionally, culturally, and academically.
Click here to search our Study Abroad programs, and for general information click here.
The Quad Cities is one of the top minor professional league sports markets in the U.S. and home to the Quad Cities River Bandits (minor league baseball), Quad City Steamwheelers (arena football), Quad City Storm (professional hockey), and TPC Deere Run (PGA Tour golf course).
Arenas, venues, and indoor/outdoor facilities abound, so there's no shortage of places to witness a major tournament or league championship.
If you're diligent and make the right connections through our well-connected professors, you can move from being a spectator in the stands to pulling the strings behind-the-scenes. Your trajectory in sport and event management will soar.
As a student, Kayla Crawford ‘19 helped plan the 2018 NAIA Golf Championships at TPC Deere Run, 2018 MVC Women's Basketball Tournament at the TaxSlayer Center, and the 2019 NAIA Competitive Cheer & Dance National Championships at the SAU Wellness and Recreation Center, and attended the 2019 Sport Business Symposium at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Read more about Kayla's experience at SAU.
A Sport Management major can qualify you for a number of careers in the field of athletics and event management, including sport facility manager, scout, sports and entertainment agent, athletic director, sales, promotions, public relations, fundraising, event marketing and management, sport camp management and operations, and print or broadcast journalism.
Rasheed DeBord '18 is a Direct Sales Representative for the St. Louis Cardinals. Read about his educational and career journey at SAU.
David Francis '17 is the Facility and Aquatics Coordinator for Iowa State University's Recreation Services Department.
Justin Halloran '17 played basketball for the Fighting Bees and continues being involved with the game as an assistant basketball coach at Black Hawk College, Moline, Ill.
Matthew Snider '16 is Regional Director of the Youth Sports Foundation in Muscatine, Iowa.
Katarina Kaczmarzyk '16 works as the Event Coordinator for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission-Explore St. Louis.
Sandy Lund, PhD, Assoc. Professor and Chair
Sarah Eikleberry, PhD, Assoc. Professor and Assistant Chair
Rhiannon Seneli, PhD, Assoc. Professor, MSEP Director
Kyle Bohnert, PhD, Asst. Professor
Michael Dahlinghaus, PhD, Assoc. Professor
Chengming Hu, PhD, Asst. Professor
David Lantis, PhD, Asst. Professor
Chris Schwartz, PhD, Asst. Professor
Tyler Spencer, PhD, Asst. Professor
Erica Thomas, DHEd, Asst. Professor
Nick Voth, Lab Coordinator; MSEP Advisor and Recruiter
Jason Vorwerk, MS, Clinical Asst. Professor
Suzanne Wiese, Administrative Assistant
Degree Requirements
Courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
Required:
ACCT 201 Accounting Principles I
COMM 240 Principles of Public Relations
MGMT 210 Principles of Management
MKTG 209 Principles of Marketing
MKTG 339 Professional Sales Strategies
+PHIL 305 Business Ethics
Required KIN Courses:
KIN 101 Foundations of Kinesiology, 2 credits -or- KIN 224 Origins of Sport, 2 credits
KIN 190 Introduction to Sport Management
KIN 225 Visual Communications and Technology in Sport, 2 credits
KIN 292 Practicum in Sport Management, 2 credits
KIN 306 Sport Promotions and Marketing
KIN 307 Planning and Management of Sport Facilities and Events
+KIN 335 Inequality in Sport, Recreation, and Exercise
KIN 355 Financing Sport Organizations -or- FNCE 300 Principles of Finance
KIN 363 The Law in Sport, PE, Exercise Science, and Leisure
KIN 401 Seminar in Sport Management, 2 credits*
KIN 408 Capstone in Sport Management
KIN 419 Internship in Sport Management, may be repeated if at different sites
*Students can take KIN 401 up to four different semesters, as long as the topic is different each time. Rotating topics include: Advanced Sales Strategies in Sport, International Sport Business, Sport Communication, and Data Analytics in Sport. KIN 273 Women in Sports may be substituted for KIN 401.
This is the suggested course of study to graduate in four years with a major in Sport Management.
NOTE: This plan assumes the student has not met the foreign language requirement (three years of foreign language taken in high school).
Year One
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| +ENGL 101 Composition | 3 | SLS 235 Sales Principles | 3 |
| KIN 190 Intro to Sport Mgmt | 3 | MKTG 209 Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| +STBE 137 Statistical Reasoning | 3 | +PHIL 100, 201, 207, 208, 210, or 217 | 3 |
| +Humanities elective | 3 | +COMM 129, 132, 203, 228, 329 | 3 |
| Info Literacy 101 | 1 | Elective | 3 |
| KIN 101 Foundations of KIN or KIN 224 Origins of Sport | 2 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 credits | TOTAL | 15 credits |
Year Two
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| *KIN 292 Practicum | 2 | COMM 240 Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| ACCT 201 Financial Accounting | 3 | +Elective | 3 |
| KIN 307 Planning & Management of Sport Facilities and Events | 3 | +Humanities elective | 3 |
| MGMT 210 Principles of Mgmt | 3 | KIN 335 Inequality in Sport, Recreation, and Exercise | 3 |
| +Foreign Language or Elective | 3 | +Foreign Language or elective | 3 |
| KIN 149 Wellness Concepts | 1 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 credits | TOTAL | 15 credits |
Year Three
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| KIN 355/FNCE 300 | 3 | WI-KIN 306 Sport Promotions and Marketing | 3 |
| +PHIL 305 Business Ethics | 3 | KIN 363 (must take at SAU) The Law in Sport, PE, Exercise Science and Leisure | 3 |
| KIN 401 Seminar or KIN 273 Women in Sports | 3 | KIN 225 Visual Comm. and Technology in Sport | 2 |
| PHIL/THEO/Catholic Studies elective | 3 | +THEO 101, 102, 103, 107, 110, 120, 130, 132, or 160 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| +Creative Arts elective | 2-3 | +KIN Activity | 1 |
| TOTAL | 16-17 credits | TOTAL | 15 credits |
Year Four
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| KIN 408 Capstone | 3 | KIN 419 Internship | 3 |
| +PHIL/THEO/Catholic Studies elective 300-level | 3 | Electives | 12 |
| Electives | 9 | ||
| TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 15 |
*Take in non-season semester
+=satisfies General Education requirement
WI=writing intensive
Required (9 credits):
KIN 190 Introduction to Sport Management
KIN 307 Planning and Management of Sport Facilities and Events
+KIN 335 Inequality in Sport, Recreation, and Exercise
Choose 6 credit hours from the following courses:
KIN 292 Practicum in Sport Management, 2 credits
KIN 225 Visual Communication, 2 credits
KIN 306 Sport Promotions and Marketing
KIN 355 Financing Sport Organizations (3 credits) OR FNCE 300 Principles of Finance
KIN 363 The Law in Sport, PE, Exercise Science & Leisure
KIN 401 Seminar in Sport Management (May be taken for credit up to 3 times if the topic is different each time.)
KIN 408 Capstone in Sport Management
+satisfies a general education requirement
Click here to read course descriptions for Kinesiology programs
Scholarships and Grants
For academic/merit-based awards, we match eligible students to a qualifying award; some of them are listed below.
You may also qualify for scholarships or grants due to your talent in the fine arts or athletics. Contact the Admissions Office so we can be sure you're getting what you need.
For need-based support, eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code is 001889.
And finally, look below under Outside Scholarships to see examples of non-SAU financial aid, and be sure to get an early start on your applications!
Amounts are for first-year students entering St. Ambrose in the 2021-22 academic year.
There is no need to apply for the scholarships or grants below; students automatically are eligible if they meet specific criteria. The Admissions Office calculates the award amount by using unweighted high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores*.
Your scholarship will automatically renew each year of your undergraduate studies – up to four years – as long as you maintain satisfactory progress toward an undergraduate degree, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and remain a full-time student.
2021-22 Scholarships
FOR STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS
On Campus (Merit-Based Scholarships)
Ambrose Advantage
Criteria: Iowa resident, Pell Grant eligible, 2021 high school graduate, min. unweighted GPA 2.8, admitted to SAU and FAFSA filed by Mar. 15
Award: Full tuition
Trustee
Criteria: unweighted 3.9 GPA and minimum 29 ACT or 1340 SAT score
Award: $25,000/year and invited to compete for a full tuition scholarship
Presidential
Criteria: minimum unweighted 3.8 GPA and 28 ACT or 1310 SAT score
Award: $23,000/year
Academic
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $15,000-$21,000/year
University Grant
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
$13,000/year
On Campus (Additional Institutional Scholarships)
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $1,000/year
Freeman Pollard Diversity Awards
Criteria: ethnically diverse student; FAFSA required. Additional aid available.
Award: $500-$1,000/year
FOR STUDENTS LIVING OFF CAMPUS
Off Campus (Merit-Based Scholarships)
Academic Scholarships
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score (optional)
Award: $13,000-$16,000/year (Iowa resident) or $14,000-17,000/year (non-Iowa resident)
University Grants
Criteria: based on unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score
Award: $11,000/year
Off-Campus (Additional Institutional Scholarships)
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $500/year
Freeman Pollard Diversity Awards
Criteria: ethnically diverse student; FAFSA required.
Award: $500/year
*While St. Ambrose University has a Test-Optional admissions policy, standardized test scores are required for admission to specific programs and eligibility for top academic scholarships.
At SAU, our international students can qualify for university scholarships and grants based on academic achievement, merit, and their performance and abilities in fine arts and athletics.
Below, you'll find a quick summary of financial awards, and we continually look for ways to make an Ambrosian education even more affordable and attainable. Recently, we began offering athletic scholarships for Marching Band and Esports.
If you have any questions or want to apply, please contact the International Student Admissions office.
Institutional Scholarships (2020-21)
There is no need to apply for the scholarships or grants below; students are automatically are eligible if they meet specific criteria, although some may require a certain GPA to stay eligible.
Academic Scholarship – $15,000-$21,000/year
Athletic Scholarships
We have many international student-athletes who are contributing and growing their skills as valued team players. As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), St. Ambrose can award athletic scholarships to student-athletes. The amount varies and is based on performance and ability. These scholarships allow you to earn a college education while competing in the sport that you love. At Ambrose, we embody the value of developing both the mind and body.
To qualify for an athletic scholarship you must be eligible to play a sport at St. Ambrose. You can read about those qualifications here. The NAIA also has a complete website on how to register for eligibility at playNAIA.org
To learn more about all of our athletic teams and opportunities – including Esports – click here.
Fine Arts Scholarships
These scholarships are based on your performance and ability in art, music, or theatre, and you may qualify for the Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship. Audition or portfolio required. Contact the Admissions office to apply or for more information.
See below to learn more about outside scholarships and we encourage you to begin your search early.
Amounts are for transfer students entering St. Ambrose in the 2021-22 academic year.
St. Ambrose scholarships are awarded for fall and spring semesters only* and renewable up to 120 credits of undergraduate study, which includes credits transferred to St. Ambrose from prior attendance. For example: If you transfer in with an AA/AS degree, you would receive a scholarship for two additional years at St. Ambrose.
*Total combined scholarships may not exceed cost of tuition. Scholarships offered to transfer students who enroll full time, online students not eligible.
2021-22 Scholarships
PHI THETA KAPPA
Criteria: awarded to all Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society members transferring from a community college
Award: $16,000
OR
TRANSFER ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Criteria: based on GPA
Awards:
3.5-4.00 GPA $15,500
3.0-3.49 GPA $14,500
2.5-2.99 GPA $13,500
2.0-2.49 GPA $11,500
Ambrose Advantage Scholarship
Criteria: Iowa resident, Pell Grant eligible, min. unweighted GPA 2.8, admitted to SAU, full-time enrollment
Award: Full Tuition
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $1,000 per year (on campus); $500/year (off campus)
Dual Admission Scholarship
Criteria: participant in SAU/community college dual admission program
Award: $1,000 maximum
Freeman Pollard Diversity Award
Criteria: Ethnically diverse student; FAFSA required. Additional aid available by application
Award: $1,000/year (on campus); $500/year (off campus)
2021-22 Federal and State Aid
Iowa Tuition Grant
Criteria: based on financial need, Iowa residents only. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1, deadline July 1.
Award: $6,200
Federal Pell Grant
Criteria: based on financial need; file FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $6,345 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Criteria: based on financial need, priority to Pell Grant recipients. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1.
Award: $400 maximum
Federal Work Study
Criteria: based on financial need. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $1,850
As a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), St. Ambrose can award athletic scholarships to student-athletes.
These scholarships allow you to earn a college education while competing in the sport that you love. At Ambrose, we embody that value of developing both the mind and body.
How do I qualify for an athletic scholarship?
You must first be eligible to play a sport at St. Ambrose. You can read about those qualifications here. The NAIA also has a complete website on how to register for eligibility at playNAIA.org
With more than 31 varsity athletic teams and state-of-the-art facilities in which to play them, the Fighting Bees of SAU are bold contenders on any field. Watch this video
How do I qualify for a fine arts scholarship?
Scholarships are awarded based on performance and ability in art, music and theatre. Review the various requirements below:
There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:
- Fastweb
- College Board Scholarship Search
- Scholarships.com
- Peterson's Award Database
- Scholly (app download)
Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Bee Central where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.
Rasheed DeBord '18
As part of his Sport Management major, Rasheed completed a practicum with the Quad City Raiders, a minor league football team, and worked with the Quad City Mallards mid-level pro hockey team. He also completed an internship with the Quad Cities River Bandits, a Class A baseball team affiliated with the Houston Astros. Those experiences, coupled with a leadership work-study position in the Wellness and Recreation Center and four years of participation in Track and Field, taught him so many skills. "It took a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point. I see this as a reward; all of my hard work paid off," he said.
Read Rasheed's Story
Kayla Crawford
Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management,MBA student at St. Ambrose,Class of 2019
Kayla Crawford's drive to achieve and build on her strengths was elevated at St. Ambrose. When encouraged by faculty to explore a different major, she found a new career field overflowing with opportunity. The skills and experience she gained managing and coordinating sporting events as a student will take Kayla anywhere she chooses to go.
Contact
Sandra Lund
Kinesiology Department
Hayes Hall 229
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6042
LundSandraT@sau.edu