Sometimes you learn. Sometimes you win. Sports go beyond the field of play. Learn the business of sports and recreation with classes that focus on sports analytics, legal issues, branding and pricing and contracting. Be a winner, like our students who have built and maintained websites, attended sport business conferences, served on committees for leadership development programs and designed campaigns for re-branding a franchise.
All Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – Sports majors fulfill their academic requirements for graduation by completing 121 hours of course work which, includes a minimum of 200-contact hours in a sports or recreation internship experience.
The purpose of the Tiffin University Sports Management major is to promote, stimulate, and guide study, research, and professional career development in the area of sport and recreation management (broadly interpreted). A primary component of the program is an integration of theory with practical requirements.
TU notables include the NFL Vice President of Player Development, a majority team owner of a minor league franchise, an NFL scout, a former Assistant GM, a two-time NFL Super Bowl wide receiver, and a PGA tournament director. In 2009-2010, students interned with the Cleveland Indians, Women’s Sports Foundation, Salem Red Sox, LRMR (LeBron James) Marketing Company, Lake Erie Monsters, Columbus Crew, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.
Several courses in The BBA and MBA are taught by a certified NBA sports agent, President of the National Olympians Association in Sierra Leone [Africa] and the former Director of Media Relations for the Boston Celtics and Marketing Coordinator for the Atlanta Braves.
Consider some of the other locations TU alumni and students work, have worked, or interned: Cleveland Browns; Pittsburgh Steelers; Tennessee Titans; Buffalo Bills; Milwaukee Brewers; Salem Red Sox; Indianapolis Pacers & Fever; Indianapolis Colts; St. Louis Cardinals; Atlanta Braves; Toledo Mud Hens; Akron Aeros; Lake Erie Monsters; Florence Freedom; Rockford Thunder; Philadelphia Force; Greater Cleveland Sports Commission; Detroit Metro Sports Commission; Mid American Conference; NCAA Final Four; ESPN Detroit Radio; Penn State University Athletics; Wake Forest University Athletics, the NFL Players Association; and IMG.
Sports Management Club - The student-led Sports Management club meets the first Wednesday of the month during the school year to coordinate practicum opportunities. Members work many of the TU athletic events and organize a co-ed volleyball tournament fundraiser. The past several years have featured speakers from Cleveland Cavaliers, NHL Columbus Blue Jackets; The Ohio State University Athletic Department; the Detroit Tigers; and the National Fastpitch Softball League. For the past few years the club has financed student members to attend the Ohio Parks and Recreation Student Conference, the NCAA Women’s Leadership Symposium; and special tours with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dayton Dragons.
Tiffin University’s School of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation body for business education supporting, celebrating and rewarding teaching excellence. They accredit business education programs at the associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degree levels worldwide. Institutions with this accreditation are committed to continuous improvement that ensures their business program will give students the skills employers want. Every quality business program worldwide is accredited.
Below are just a few examples of the variety of opportunities you’ll have as a TU student to make connections outside of the classroom. These clubs and organizations will provide you with real advantages and resources.
Business Club – provides opportunities for students to gain a valuable understanding of the business world. Club activities include bringing in speakers to address the issues of graduate school opportunities, career concerns, etiquette forums that focus on acceptable forms of behavior for the workplace and providing opportunities for valuable experience.
Circle K International (CKI) – a collegiate service organization with a worldwide membership that promotes fellowship, leadership and service.
Delta Mu Delta – a national honor society in business.
Hospitality Club – provides awareness to educate you on the unprecedented growth rate of the hospitality industry, the diverse career opportunities available and the current industry events impacting the global economy. Members attend regional and national hospitality conventions, trade shows and expositions.
Student Government – TU’s Student Government is primarily involved in organizing the campus programming, social activities and serving as the voice and advocate for students concerning campus matters.
Also available to TU students are other clubs, organizations and special interests that include: American Marketing Association (AMA), Sports Management Club, The Tystenac (TU’s School Newspaper) and Greek Organizations.
Core Curriculum of the School of Business 18 hours
Sports Management Core 15 hours
Concentration 15 hours
Some courses may have prerequisites.
Total BBA hours 121
This is a sample course sequence to illustrate course offerings for this major. Consult the official Academic Bulletin for detailed registration and advising information.
On Campus - Offered in a 15-week semester format with a start date of January and August
All Sports Management offered
Legal Issues in Sports and Recreation (LAW260) - Title IX, risk management, tort, liability, agency, contract, antitrust, constitutional, labor law and intellectual property law are examined as applicable for managers in the sport and entertainment industry. Actual court cases concerning legal issues are presented relating to sport events, special events, athletics, the hotel industry, tourist attractions, amusement parks and recreational settings.
Introduction to Sports and Recreation Management (SMG160) - This course will give students a fundamental understanding of the career avenues in sport and recreation. Industry specialists present an eclectic orientation of the sport and recreation field. Academic topics include industry definitions, evolution, curriculum components, experiential learning, career and internship opportunities, applied and theoretical research, leadership, governance and ethics.
Business of Sport (SMG360) - Course covers topics relating to league structures, the management of sporting clubs, branding and pricing, sponsorship, media contracting, financial valuation and facilities development in a variety of sport settings. The primary method of instruction is case development and analysis. This is a writing intensive course.
Sports Analytics (SMG405) - The focus of this class is applying analytic techniques to the decisions that athletes, coaches, general managers, and other decision makers encounter in the sports world. Tools used in the class will include statistics, probability, regression analysis and hypothesis testing.
Internship and Professional Development Seminar (SRMG475) - Students majoring in Sport and Recreation Management or Hospitality and Tourism will be required to gain a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer or paid practicum experience related to their chosen field. Hours may be accumulated from May 15 during the summer preceding the class. In addition, the course will cover such elements as interviewing, dining etiquette and business career information.
“The main challenge I overcame in order to become a Dragon was the language barrier and the financial situation. However, Tiffin University gave the opportunity to join my passion for soccer with my dream of having an education in the U.S. As part of the soccer team, I was able to overcome my language barrier and have the best experience of my life. For that, I will always be thankful.”
Talita Russo
Class of 2013
Sao Paulo, Brazil
– Sean M. Durocher, Class of 2015
"TU gave me the extra boost needed to move forward with accomplishing my dream of becoming a small business owner. With the help and encouragement of my professors and coach, I was able to take that leap into the business world knowing I could not succeed if I did not take risks."
– Emily Miller
“There is always gonna be a little doubt in any person's mind when it comes to new things. But for me, I think proving people, who said I couldn't do it, wrong is my biggest motivation. There's really nothing that seems impossible to me anymore, the world is constantly changing and I feel like I am much more capable of adapting to those changes now compared to when I was walking on to TU's campus for the first time.”
Alexandra Tozzie
Class of 2018
Louisville, Colorado
I knew Tiffin University was the place for me the second I stepped foot on campus. I toured a handful of other universities offering similar programs, but TU was the only school that truly made me feel at home.
-Caleb Reynolds '15
