Sport Management
A Shorter University education means you’ll graduate with a degree and a resume.
Whether you pursue graduate school, or embark on your career after graduation, we believe that your time at Shorter will prepare you for the next step.
Our students gain valuable experience working, interning, and volunteering on many significant service-learning projects for local and community agencies. We utilize many guest lecturers from sport business organizations each semester to speak with our students about how to excel as a business professional in the sport industry.
Our students have and continue to work with organizations and in rolls such as YMCA, player personnel, business operations, venue and stadium management, account executive, customer service, game operations, sports marketing, merchandise manager, group and ticket sales, sponsorship, event planning and community relations
- USA South Conference Commissioner
- Rome Braves
- The Intern Group – Melbourne, Australia
- YMCA
- Atlanta Hawks
- State Farm Arena
- Atlanta Falcons
- FedEx Forum
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Elite Sport Advising
- Boys and Girls Club
- Recreation Departments – Nationwide
- Rome-Floyd Youth Council
- NASCAR
- Georgia Sports
- Rome Tennis Center
- Atl United
- Chattanooga Lookouts
- D-BAT Baseball and Softball Academics
- Shorter University Athletics
- North Florida Junior Golf Foundation
- LakePointe Sports Complex
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- United Futbol Academy
- Perfect Game Baseball
- High School Athletic Departments – Nationwide
- Rafa Nadal Academy for Tennis
Program Mission:
The Department of Sport Management is built upon sound business principles and is committed to the relationship between sport and business. Through undergraduate and graduate instruction, accompanied by experiential learning avenues, the program engages and prepares future Christian leaders for a diverse and professional industry.
Program Advantages:
- Finish in Four – The Shorter Way to 2 Degrees
- Lecture Series – We host once a semester a College of Business Lecture Series where a high profiled industry professional speaks to the student body, particularly Juniors and Seniors on career advice and interview/resume techniques.
- Job Fair – Each Spring Semester we host 50+ businesses ready to recruit and hire our students. This has proven beneficial for students in making meaningful connections and job placement. We bring in the jobs!
- Career Development Panel – Each spring we host a panel of industry professionals to speak directly to the students regarding the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to have successful careers. The insiders view give tips on resume building, sales skills, networking, and professional written and oral communication are just a few of the topics covered.
Alumni Spotlights
- Matt McClain, CVP - Senior Director
- Dominique Woods, Associate Director of Athletic Operations - University of Tennessee Athletics
Alumni Positions
- Event Manager – Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena
- Head Coach – Point University Athletics
- Operations Manager – Rome Braves
- Assistant Football Coach – Wingate University
- Team Operations – Western Kentucky University
- Youth Foundation Program Manager – PGA of America
- Event Manager – Memphis Grizzlies/FedEx Forum
- Consultant – UGA Small Business Development
- Vice President Sports Sales and Engagement – Cobb Travel & Tourism & Cobb Sports Alliance
- Marketing & Media Relations Coordinator – Rome Braves
- Stadium Operations Manager – Rome Braves
- Ticket Operations & Service Manager – Rome Braves
- Sports Information Director – Shorter University
- Head Men’s Basketball Coach – Flager College
- Membership Director – Palmetto Hall Golf & Country Club
- Event Manager – Georgia World Congress Center Authority
- Director of Operations – Evo Solutions
COSMA Measures and Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes Matrix – Academic Year 2025-2026 BBA, BBA, SPM Traditional
| Identify Each Student Learning Outcome and Measurement Tool(s) | Identify Benchmark | Total Number of Students Observed | Total Number of Students Meeting Expectation |
Assessment Results: Percentage of Students Meeting Expectation |
Assessment Results: Does not meet expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Insufficient data |
| SLO 1 – Demonstrate effective writing as it relates to topics associated within the history of sport culture and profound influences over the years. | |||||
| (Direct) Measure 1: Written assignment from research project in class SPM 3000 discussing sport culture. | The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 34pts out of 40pts or higher on the writing portion of the writing rubric. | 28 | 25 | 89.3% |
Exceeded Expectations
|
| SLO 2- Demonstrate professional oral presentation skills based on a sport management presentation that encompasses sport marketing research of a company. | |||||
| (Direct) Measure 1: Oral presentation from research project in classes, SPM 1500 and SPM 1500 (LC) via rubric. |
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 34 out of 40pts or higher on the quality of the presentation/ presentation skills of the presentation grading rubric. |
77 | 72 | 93.5% |
Exceeded Expectations
|
| SLO 3- Apply interview skills and communication into an experiential learning situation in which students are expected to interview a sport professional in an outside setting. | |||||
| (Indirect) Measure 1: SPM 3700 – Sport Management Interview evaluation survey completed by the Interviewee. Specific areas of evaluation include communication, personal qualities and professionalism. |
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 4 out of 5 or higher on items 3, 5, and 6 of interviewee evaluation survey.
|
20 | 19 | 95% |
Exceeded Expectation
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| SLO 4- Students will demonstrate effective professionalism and communication skills | |||||
| (Indirect) Measure 1: SPM 4050 – Sport Management site supervisor final internship evaluation. | The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 4 out of 5 or higher on professionalism and communication skills of the internship site supervisor evaluation. | 31 | 29 | 96% |
Exceeded Expectation
|
| (Direct) Measure 2: SPM 4050 – Student Internship site-based capstone project: Capstone Rubric. | The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 90% or higher on the cumulative grade of the capstone project. | 31 | 23 | 74% |
Does not meet expectation
|
| SLO 5– Students will exhibit and apply servant leadership qualities of leadership opportunities and reflection. | |||||
| (Direct) Measure 1: Community engagement presentation (SPM 3500) based on servant leadership opportunity demonstrated through engagement in an event. |
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 34pts out of 40pts or higher on servant leadership (stewardship and conceptualization).
|
28 | 28 | 100% |
Exceeded Expectations
|
Note: If you are using different direct and indirect measures for different degree programs, please replicate the matrix, using one matrix for each program that has different measures. If different programs use the same measures, only one copy of the matrix is needed.
Student Learning Outcomes Matrix – Academic Year 2025-2026 BBA, BBA, SPM Online
| Identify Each Student Learning Outcome and Measurement Tool(s) | Identify Benchmark | Total Number of Students Observed | Total Number of Students Meeting Expectation |
Assessment Results: Percentage of Students Meeting Expectation |
Assessment Results: Does not meet expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Insufficient data |
| SLO 1 – – Demonstrate professional communication through the development of a social media plan within an athletic departmental setting. | |||||
| (Direct) Measure 1: Culmination assignment for SPM 3650, Social Media in Sport, in which a student must develop an athletic department social media plan. |
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will score 90pts out of 100pts or higher cumulatively on the writing rubric.
|
15 | 9 | 60% |
Does not meet expectation
|
| SLO 2 – Apply critical thinking skills in developing a personal coaching philosophy. | |||||
|
(Direct) Measure 1: Development of an articulation of the coaching philosophy assignment (SPM 3500) based on the critical thinking skills rubric.
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 18pts out of 20pts or higher on critical thinking skills for the coaching philosophy paper. | 10 | 10 | 100% |
Exceeded Expectations
|
| SLO 3 – Practice application of diversity based on principles of leadership responsibilities. | |||||
|
(Direct) Measure 1: Assignment created in SPM 4100 designed to evaluate diversity and leadership responsibilities.
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 18pts out of 20pts or higher on the application of diversity based on leadership skills rubric.
|
9 | 9 | 100% |
Exceeded Expectations
|
| SLO 4 – Development of research and effectiveness with the creation of a Rome Braves research survey for customer satisfaction. | |||||
|
(Direct) Measure 1: Effectiveness of utilizing sport research and data analytics to create a customer satisfaction survey (SPM 1500)
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 34 pts out of 40pts or higher on research and effectiveness within the rubric.
|
13 | 11 | 84% |
Meets Expectations
|
| SLO 5 – Application of Integration of Faith into the classroom by the sport management professor based on end of course evaluation survey. | |||||
|
(Indirect) Measure 1: Student evaluation survey indicating if the professor was successful in integrating Faith into the course.
Assessment question incorporated within the end of course eval: Overall this course met my expectations for the application of the integration of faith of a Shorter University course. |
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average 34pts out of 40pts or higher on ethical self-awareness and different ethical perspective categories.
|
111 | 97 | 87% |
Exceeded Expectations
|
|
(Direct) Measure 2: Completion of the end of course evaluation survey.
** See top right of measurement tool. |
The acceptable target of 80% of students within the course will complete the survey.
|
185 | 118 | 55% |
Does not meet expectation
|
Note: If you are using different direct and indirect measures for different degree programs, please replicate the matrix, using one matrix for each program that has different measures. If different programs use the same measures, only one copy of the matrix is needed.
Student Learning Outcomes Matrix – Academic Year 2025-2026 BBA, Graduate: MBA, SPM Online
| Identify Each Student Learning Outcome and Measurement Tool(s) | Identify Benchmark | Total Number of Students Observed | Total Number of Students Meeting Expectation |
Assessment Results: Percentage of Students Meeting Expectation |
Assessment Results: Does not meet expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Insufficient data |
| SLO 1 – Demonstrate effective risk management strategic planning as a business and sport administrator. | |||||
|
(Direct) Measure 1: (SPM 5200) Risk Management course project designed to assess a student’s strategic planning utilizing business and sport principles.
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 100pts out of 120pts or higher cumulative on the risk management plan rubric.
|
10 | 8 | 80% |
Meets expectation
|
| SLO 2 – Design an efficient sport-marketing plan as it relates to a student-generated sport organization. | |||||
|
(Direct) Measure 2: (SPM 5400) Sport Marketing course project designed to assess a student’s ability to design and develop a Sport Marketing plan utilized business and sport principles.
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 90 pts out of 100pts or higher cumulative on the marketing plan rubric.
|
11 | 9 | 82% |
Meets expectation
|
| SLO 3 – Analyze and evaluate Global Sport Leadership quality within the current culture of sport management. | |||||
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(Direct) Measure 1: Written assignment from research project in class SPM 5300.
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average 52pts out of 60pts or higher on the writing rubric for content of the paper.
|
10 | 8 | 80% |
Meets expectation
|
| SLO 4 – Students will effectively apply planning, organization, and leadership skills. | |||||
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(Direct) Measure 1: SPM 5500 cumulative project on creating a sporting event.
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average 52pts out of 60pts or higher on three criteria areas of Planning, Organizing and leading.
|
9 | 9 | 100% |
Exceeded Expectation
|
| SLO 5 – Students will demonstrate appropriate APA style and citations. | |||||
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(Direct) Measure 1: SPM 5100 term project creating a Sport related small-business plan.
|
The acceptable target of 80% of the students will average at least 34pts out of 40pts or higher on APA style/communication and APA citation/reference. | 13 | 12 | 92% |
Exceeded Expectation
|
Note: If you are using different direct and indirect measures for different degree programs, please replicate the matrix, using one matrix for each program that has different measures. If different programs use the same measures, only one copy of the matrix is needed.
Program-Level Operational Effectiveness Goals Matrix
Academic Year 2025-2026
| Identify Each Operational Effectiveness Goal and Measurement Tool(s) |
Identify Each Operational Effectiveness Goal and Measurement Tool(s) |
Data Summary |
Assessment Results: Does not meet expectation Meets expectation Exceeds expectation Insufficient data |
| OEG 1 – Demonstrate effectiveness in the classroom. | |||
|
(Direct) Measure 1: End of course teaching evaluation conducted by the students. Evaluations of each full-time professor are averaged individually and then combined to indicate the departmental average. Students complete end of course evaluations through the learning management system. |
Average rating of 4.5 on a 1-5 rating scale. |
Dr. Ross – 4.69 Dr. Hooper – 4.75 Dr. Durden – 4.5 Professor Bean – 4.1 Overall, for FT Faculty – 4.51 |
Meets expectation |
|
(Direct) Measure 2: End of course teaching evaluation conducted by the students. Evaluations of each Adjunct professor are averaged individually and then combined to indicate the departmental average. Students complete end of course evaluations through the learning management system. |
Average rating of 3.7 on a 1-4 rating scale. |
N/A |
Insufficient data |
| OEG 2 – Strategically develop strategies and outreach opportunities to communicate and gain new opportunities for students outside of Shorter University. | |||
|
(Direct) Measure 1: Develop social media platforms for SPM program, students, and potential students. |
Social media platforms in Facebook and LinkedIn. |
LinkedIn – 402 Facebook - 675 |
Exceeds expectations |
|
(Indirect) Measure 2: New Internship placements for our students. |
8 new internship relationships formed. |
8 new partnerships formed |
Meets expectations |
| OEG 3 – Create opportunities for collaboration between the Sport Management department and Shorter University Athletics to create a professional entertaining game environment for all Athletic Events. | |||
|
(Direct) Collaboration between the athletic department and sport management students. |
The benchmarks established for this goal are for 4 students to complete an internship with the department of athletics. |
10 internships were within the department of athletics |
Exceeds expectations |
| OEG 4 – Effectively promote the Sport Management program and discipline through professional development opportunities such as journal publications and/or state and national presentations. | |||
|
(Direct) SPM Faculty attendance and participation at Sport Management Conferences. |
The benchmark for this goal is that all full-time faculty members will have at least 1 journal publication. |
Dr. Ross – 2 Dr. Hooper – 0 Dr. Durden – 0 Professor Bean - 0 |
Does not meet expectations |
|
(Indirect) Each faculty member will have at least one journal publication accepted and published in the academic year. |
Attend and Present at 1 Sport Management conference. |
Dr. Ross – 2/6 Dr. Hooper – 1/4 Dr. Durden – 1/1 Professor Bean – 1/0 |
Meets expectations |
|
OEG 5 – Initiate innovative recruitment strategies to increase sport management majors for the following academic year. |
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|
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| (Direct) Increase the number of traditional Sport Management enrolled majors. |
Increase Traditional Sport Management Majors by 5% Spring 2023: 136 Spring 2024: 140 Spring 2025: 125 |
Spring 2026: 111 majors | Does not meet expectations |
|
(Direct) Increase the number of online Sport Management enrolled Majors (BBA & MBA). |
Increase Online Sport Management Majors by 5% Spring 2025 Spring 2026 |
BBA SPM Online
MBA SPM Online
|
Does not meet expectations for BBA Online Exceeded expectations for MBA Online |
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Note: You may have more or fewer OEGs than listed above. This matrix does not require identification of direct or indirect measure. |
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PROGRAM INFORMATION PROFILE
This profile offers information about the program in the context of its mission, basic purpose and key features.
Name of Institution: Shorter University
Program/Specialized Accreditor(s): Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
Institutional Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Date of Next Comprehensive Program Accreditation Review: ’27-’28 academic year
Date of Next Comprehensive Institutional Accreditation Review: ’30-’31 (10-year reaffirmation)
URL where accreditation status is stated: /accreditations/#:~:text=Shorter%20University%20is%20accredited%20by,%2C%20baccalaureate%2C%20and%20master’s%20degrees.
Indicators of Effectiveness with Undergraduates [As Determined by the Program]
- Graduation Year: _2023__ # of Graduates: 35 Graduation Rate: 100%
- Average Time to Degree: 4-Year Degree: __4yrs___ 5-year Degree __5yrs_____
- Annual Transfer Activity (into Program): Year: __2023___
# of Transfers: __23___ Transfer Rate: __35%___
- Graduates Entering Graduate School: Year: ___2023__
# of Graduates: __35___ # Entering Graduate School: ___11__
- Job Placement (if appropriate): Year: _____
# of Graduates: _____ # Employed: _____
Form developed by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. © updated 2020
The sport management degree programs at Shorter University have received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) located in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. The sport management programs in the following degrees are accredited by COSMA:
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Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management
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Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management (Online)
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Master of Business Administration with concentration in Sport Management