Defiance College's Sport Management program is created with experiential learning in mind to connect students with experiences directly within the Sport Industry. Each student engages in courses that help shape their understanding of the sport industry with current issues and experiences to prepare them for today's world in sports. The Sport Management Major is designed for the individual planning to pursue a career as: recreation leader, sporting goods retailer, sport organization administrator, team manager, sports lawyer, sports psychologist, resort manager, golf course or country club manager. It is also appropriate for those considering careers as a sports consultant to businesses, churches, camps, etc. and for those interested in employment as a sports information director or sports journalist. The program is designed to prepare students to obtain either an entry-level position upon graduation or to continue their studies in graduate school.
Sport Management Major Curriculum (new, beginning Fall 2022)
Sport Management Major Program Requirements (42 credit hours). All major program requirements include Core and Cognate courses (* indicates new course)
Sport Management Major Core (30 credit hours)
SPMT 130 Introduction to Sport Management (3)
SPMT 220 Sport Finance (3)
SPMT 230 Event and Facility Management (3)
*SPMT 250 Sport Analytics (3)
SPMT 320 Sociology of Sport (3)
SPMT 340 Sport Law (3)
*SPMT 360 Sport Communication (3)
*SPMT 420 Sport Leadership through Fundraising (3)
SPMT 491 Internship (3-6)
Sport Management Major Cognates (12 credit hours):
ECON 201 - Microeconomics (3)
ESCI 481 - Sport and Fitness Coaching and Administration (3)
MATH 105 - Quantitative Reasoning (3)
MKT 350 - Sport Marketing (3)
To ensure your success in this major, the following general education electives are required:
Creative and Expressive Arts: Student choice
Historical, Political and Multicultural Perspectives: Student choice
Quantitative Reasoning: MATH 105 Quantitative Reasoning (3)
Scientific Knowledge: Student choice
Social and Behavioral Sciences: ECON 201 Microeconomics (3)
Sport Management Major Core (30 credit hours)
SPMT 130 Introduction to Sport Management (3)
SPMT 220 Sport Finance (3)
SPMT 230 Event and Facility Management (3)
*SPMT 250 Sport Analytics (3)
SPMT 320 Sociology of Sport (3)
SPMT 340 Sport Law (3)
*SPMT 360 Sport Communication (3)
*SPMT 420 Sport Leadership through Fundraising (3)
SPMT 491 Internship (3-6)
Sport Management Major Cognates (12 credit hours):
ECON 201 - Microeconomics (3)
ESCI 481 - Sport and Fitness Coaching and Administration (3)
MATH 105 - Quantitative Reasoning (3)
MKT 350 - Sport Marketing (3)
To ensure your success in this major, the following general education electives are required:
Creative and Expressive Arts: Student choice
Historical, Political and Multicultural Perspectives: Student choice
Quantitative Reasoning: MATH 105 Quantitative Reasoning (3)
Scientific Knowledge: Student choice
Social and Behavioral Sciences: ECON 201 Microeconomics (3)
Masters MBA 4+1 Sport Management Concentration
BUS 565 - Sport Law
BUS 566 - Current Topics
BUS 567 - Sport Governance
BUS 566 - Current Topics
BUS 567 - Sport Governance
Faculty Bio
Dr. Scott Hirko, assistant professor and director of Sport Management at Defiance College, has a rich history in college athletics and sports, as well as legislation. His teaching style includes business perspectives, decision-making skills, and an emphasis on inclusion and engagement. Through Dr. Hirko's work with the Knight Commission, he helped to influence the NCAA into creating a policy relating to academic performance and renegotiated revenues from college football playoff television contracts. He is a Scholar in Residence at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and is the assistant project manager for the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database, leading in analytical, data, visual, and marketing decisions. He also helps shape decisions through communications and public relations support for intercollegiate athletics programs in all NCAA divisions.
Dr. Scott Hirko, assistant professor and director of Sport Management at Defiance College, has a rich history in college athletics and sports, as well as legislation. His teaching style includes business perspectives, decision-making skills, and an emphasis on inclusion and engagement. Through Dr. Hirko's work with the Knight Commission, he helped to influence the NCAA into creating a policy relating to academic performance and renegotiated revenues from college football playoff television contracts. He is a Scholar in Residence at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and is the assistant project manager for the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database, leading in analytical, data, visual, and marketing decisions. He also helps shape decisions through communications and public relations support for intercollegiate athletics programs in all NCAA divisions.
