While UMass might not scream "big time sports school," its sports management program is top notch. UMass' program was established in 1971, and its experienced based curriculum has been recognized by "Sports Business Journal" as a leader in the field. It is also one of a select few sports management programs in the U.S. housed in a business school, giving students valuable knowledge of both fields.
University of Massachusetts--Amherst (University Admissions Center)
37 Mather Drive
Amherst, MA 01003-9313
413-545-0222
umass.edu
The sports management program at Bowling Green is one of the largest and most diverse programs in the nation, and has received full accreditation by the North American Society of Sport Management, a top governing board in the field.
Bowling Green State University (Admissions)
110 McFall Center
Bowling Green, OH 43403
419-372-2478
bgsu.edu
Texas pairs its top athletic rankings with some similarly high praise from college ranking services like US News & World Report, who rank the Longhorns as a top 50 school. UT's sports management program is highly competitive and is one of 22 to have its curriculum reviewed and approved by the North American Society of Sport Management.
University of Texas at Austin (Office of Admissions)
Main Bldg., Room 7
2400 Inner Campus Drive
Austin, TX 78712
512-475-7399
utexas.edu
South Carolina's sports management program gives its students a unique education as it is the first program of its kind in the nation, combining sports and entertainment management within an outstanding business curriculum.
University of South Carolina--Columbia (Admissions)
902 Sumter St.
Access/Lieber College
Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-7700
sc.edu
Northwestern brings its high academic regard (US News & World Report ranks it as the No. 12 university in the nation) to the sports management field, offering a challenging and comprehensive program taught by some of the most highly regarded professionals in the field.
Northwestern University (Admissions)
633 Clark St.
Evanston, IL 60208
847-491-7271
northwestern.edu
Michigan is another school that combines top athletics with top academics, making Ann Arbor a perfect environment for sports management students to find experience in the field on campus at their own university. US News & World Report ranks Michigan No. 27 in national universities.
University of Michigan (Admissions)
1220 Student Activities Building
515 E. Jefferson
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316
734-764-7433
umich.edu
Though relatively new, Central Florida's unique business concentration with sports management has already received high regard from outlets such as the "Wall Street Journal," "Sports Business Journal" and "ESPN The Magazine."
University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-2000
ucf.edu
Oregon's sports management program focuses on teaching its students marketing and business principles within the context of sports. The university's strong connections with Nike, the NBA and other industry leaders gives students hands-on opportunities to learn within the field.
University of Oregon
1226 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1226
800-232-3825
uoregon.edu
Ohio University receives high praise from Sports-Management.com, which called its program one of the best three in the nation. Ohio offers a MSA/MBA hybrid, preparing its students for a variety of management level positions in the sports world.
Ohio University (Admissions)
120 Chubb Hall
Athens, OH 45701-2979
740-593-4100
ohio.edu
Like many other schools, UConn combines strong academics and athletics, but the school also boasts another key factor for sports management students: its close proximity and strong relationship with ESPN, which is centered just an hour away from the UConn campus in Bristol, Conn.
University of Connecticut
2131 Hillside Road, Unit 3088
Storrs, CT 06269-3088
860-486-3137
uconn.edu