Western Carolina University
Annual Assessment Report
Spring 2008
Department:
Program:
Assessment contact person for major:
I.
Business Administration & Law,
Hospitality/Tourism and Sport Management
Sport Management
Kadie Otto, Ph. D.
Assessment procedures
Mission Statement
Teaching and learning constitute the central mission of Western Carolina University. The
University seeks to create a community of scholarship in which the activities of its
members are consistent with the highest standards of knowledge and practice in their
disciplines.
The commitment of the community to service, research, and creative activities
complements the central mission and extends the benefits of its scholarship to society. As
a major public resource for Western North Carolina, the university assists individuals and
agencies in the region through the expertise of its faculty, its staff, and its students.
We feel our program’s centrality to the university mission is high. Our program is
academically rigorous (majors must maintain a minimum 2.5 G.P.A.), giving students an
excellent foundation of knowledge to help them succeed in their chosen endeavor within
the sport industry. Sport Management strives to instill values to the students through our
classroom teachings, experiential opportunities and extra-curricula activities, such as
those offered by the Sport Management Association (SMA). Many Sport Management
students will participate in service learning activities, such as the “Keep Pounding”
campaign to raise funds by selling $1.00 wrist bands, with the Carolina Panthers, for
cancer research (our SMA raised $1000 in this endeavor), the event management of the
Annual Mountain Heritage 5K Road Race (which generates over $1500/race), and field
days and Q&A sessions at local middle schools. On December 5, 2007 the Sport
Management Association gave $1000 of the 5K proceeds to a young girl named, Karla
Alred, who is battling cancer.
Other service learning opportunities within the Sport Management major occur through
required apprenticeships and internships and club related functions. Service learning
gives the students practical experience while providing a service to the community. This
interaction with the community strengthens ties between the university and the
community while exposing students to the importance of civic responsibility. The Sport
Management program strives to prepare students for entrance as professionals into the
sport industry. Students undergo a rigorous theoretical-based foundation of coursework.
Students also gain practical-based knowledge from the completion of the apprenticeship
and internship experiential courses.
This mix of curriculum/experiential-based learning gives the Western Carolina Sport
Management student an advantage in the job market compared with students that may
have a less rigorous curriculum or lack internship/apprenticeship experience. We feel
strongly that our student’s graduate as learners guided by knowledge, values and
experiences. For example, this past summer (2007), senior, Jason Keenan went to
London and Paris to participate a six week summer abroad program through Florida State
University. Currently, we have two students studying in London as semester abroad
students. Furthermore, this summer (2008) we have one student completing his
internship with the Yacht Club de Cannes (“Les Regates Royals”) in Cannes, France.
Program outcome objectives:
Program student learning outcomes (goals)
Assessment and measures
Educational Goal #1 Graduates of sport management will have a broad conceptual
understanding of the foundations and diversity of the sport management field.
Assessment
Tests from several courses
Completion of at least one apprenticeship in a specific concentration
Completion of an internship
Completion of a content assessment exam in the student’s last semester of
coursework in SM 495 Senior Seminar in Sport Management (Appendix A)
Educational Goal #2 Students will be able to analyze and report on the organizational
structure and practices of their assigned sport delivery system.
Assessment
Evaluation of assignment in SM 260 (Introduction to Sport Management)
Evaluation of assignment in SM 495 (Senior Seminar)
Evaluation of assignment from final internship paper SM 484 (Internship)
(Guidelines see Appendix B)
Educational Goal #3 Students will be able to write a comprehensive paper exhibiting
good writing skills.
Assessment
Evaluation of several research and written assignments from several courses
including: SM 460, SM 461, SM 435, SM 260, SM 415, SM 435, SM 445, SM
340, SM 423
Evaluation of final senior paper from internship SM 484
Evaluation of promotions project SM 461
Evaluation of student portfolio SM 260
Educational Goal #4 Students will be able to plan a presentation and speak effectively in
front of a group within a pre-established time frame.
Assessment
Evaluation of oral skills from several courses including SM 260, SM 460,
SM 461, SM 415, SM 435, SM 495, SM 340, SM 423
Evaluation of oral skill from internship presentation SM 484
Educational Goal #5 Students will exhibit proficiency in developing and writing a risk
management plan for a sport organization.
Assessment
Evaluation of risk management assignment from SM 415 Sport law
Evaluation of risk management assignment from SM 435 Event and Facility
Management and Marketing
Evaluation of risk management overview and application from internship paper
SM 484
Educational Goal #6 Students will exhibit competence in computer applications.
Assessment
Research and written assignments for coursework and internships SM 484
Presentation incorporating computer application from courses including: SM 460,
SM 461, SM 415, SM 423 and SM 435
Desktop publishing skills learned from promotions project SM 461
Spreadsheet applications from SM 460, SM 423
Computer applications course CS 101 (Liberal Studies) and CIS 110/CS
130 Program requirements
Educational Goal #7 Students will gain practical experience in the Sport Management
field.
Assessment
Completing one (1) hour apprenticeship on or off campus SM 383
Completing a 12/10 week 40 hour/week internship with a sport organization not
affiliated with Western Carolina University SM 484/485 (Internship)
Attendance at a sport management conference, such as the Georgia Southern
Sport Management Conference, attended and sponsored by the SMA in February
of every year.
Educational Goal #8 Students will be able to secure an entry level job and or continue
their education pursuing a graduate or professional degree in their concentration area
within the sport industry, if they desire, within one year following graduation
Assessment
Senior survey after the completion of internship
Alumni survey from generated web-based data
We have also established the following program goals and incorporated them into our
department strategic plan.
Objectives
1. University
restructuring
Strategies
a. Sport Management moved into to the College of Business (COB).
During this time, the COB was hiring a new Dean. Throughout the past
school year, the SM faculty have come to realize that the curriculum and
philosophy of the program are better aligned with HPER.
b. The move to the COB was effective July 1, 2007. On May 7, 2008, the
SM faculty requested approval to move back to HPER.
1. Resources
c. Curricular changes that needed to be made to conform with the COB
standards would be detrimental to the overall learning of the students. SM
maintains NASSM/NASPE approval status.
a. Add a new faculty position, during the 2008-2009 academic year, to
help with teaching when the new Sport Management Masters degree began
in the fall of 2006. This would bring the total number of SM faculty
members to four. Currently we have two tenure/tenure-track faculty
members and one fixed term appointment. The 2007-2008 tenure-track
search failed. The faculty request that a new search begin in the fall of
2008.
b. Have SM faculty teach a full load and avoid overloads especially for the
nontenured faculty members.
2. Streamline SM Major
c. Improve research opportunities (time & resources)
d. Continue to hire adjunct faculty from athletic department to teach SM
classes. La’Tona LeMonte, an assistant women’s basketball coach for
WCU, taught SM 260 in the fall 2007.
a. Consider making SM 383-apprenticeship an elective instead of a core
requirement.
b. Possibly drop the Sports Information concentration from the SM major.
c. Add business courses to the core (max. 3 courses)
3. Scholarship
4. Support staff
5. Technology
6. Graduate program
d. Alter the Exercise Science and Fitness Management concentration by
dropping the ND 330 course.
d. File any curricular changes to the NASSM/NASPE governing body so
we can maintain our approval status through 2012.
a. Continue to work towards the endowment of a scholarship for sport
management (ongoing).
b. Raised approximately $6000 over the past four academic years.
Secure a graduate assistant or work-study student to handle responsibilities
such as maintenance of web page.
a. Continue to add on-line classes for graduate and undergraduate courses.
Currently SM 340 is taught on-line during the summer session.
b. Order additional computer for anticipated master’s students in Sport
Management in support of research
a. Assign teaching load to accommodate the new master’s degree in Sport
Management
b. Develop new on-line courses for the master’s in Sport Management
(SM 660, SM 670)
c. The new MS degree in Sport Management has achieved final approval
from the faculty senate at WCU.
d. Currently, the M.S. in Sport Management has 10 students.
III. Findings from each outcome measure
For the summer of 2005, fall 2005 and spring 2004 semesters’ data were gathered from
graduating seniors concerning outcome measures. Students returning after completing internship
were administered a graduating senior survey. The total number of surveys completed was 35.
During this time period 37 students completed internship. One student did not successfully
completed internship and one student has yet to take internship. Two students were not SM
students who completed internship.
Table 1
Graduating Senior Survey
Directions: As a part of our on-going assessment program, we want to know some things about your experience as a sport management
student. Please take a few moments to respond to the questions. Your responses will be kept confidential. They will become a part of a
program designed to improve Sport Management, which will enhance the value of your degree. Your cooperation is most appreciated.
1. CAREER STATUS - Please check one (1) statement which best describes your present status:
a. __6___ presently working in a full-time position that is related to sport management
b. __4___ presently working in a part-time position that is related to sport management
c. __3___ Have accepted a full-time position which is related to sport management
d. __2___ Have accepted a part-time position which is related to sport management
e. __7___ Plan to attend graduate school full-time and have accepted a graduate assistantship
f. __7___ Plan to attend graduate school full-time
g. __6___ Still looking for a position
h. _____ Other _Both continuing internship_
2. If you have accepted a position, which of the following best describes how you found the job?
a. __0___ Placement Office
b. __6___ Co-op or internship
c. __0___ Sport Management 260 Interview Assignment
d. __5___ Direct individual contact with employer
e. __1___ Through a professional association’s conference, workshop, or publication.
f. __1___ Faculty
g. __2___ Family or friends
h. __0___ WCU Career Day/Job Fair
i.
__0___ Classified ads
j.
__0___ Private employment agency
k. __0___ Off-campus Career Day or Job Fair
l.
__1___ Other __ online, tour of facility__
3. If you have accepted a position or are currently employed, what is your annual salary range?
a. __5___ Under $5,000
e. __2___ $20,001 - 25,000
b. __4___ $5,001 - 10,000
f. __1___ $25,001 - 30,000
c. __4___ $10,001 - 15,000
g. __0___ $30,001 - 40,000
d. __1___ $15,001 - 20,000
h. ___0__ $40,001 and higher
4. If you are not currently employed in a sport management position, please check one (1) of the following which best applies.
a. __1___ Was offered a job in major, but turned it down due to salary
b. __0___ Was offered a job in major, but turned it down due to location
c. __1___ I am not seeking a job in my major field
d. __7___ I am planning on attending graduate school
e. _8___ Other _____(Still looking or continuing internship was most common answer)
5. ACADEMIC SKILL PREPARATION: The following are some specific skills that we stress in sport management. On a scale
from 1 (Low) to 5 (High), please indicate your evaluation of the WCU sport management program in preparing you to do the
following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Think critically about issues in the field of sport management
Use library facilities and other information sources
Express my thoughts clearly in writing
Speak in front of a group
Develop ethical and moral values
Low
1(0)
1(0)
1(0)
1(1)
1(0)
2(1)
2(1)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
High
3(6)
3(7)
3(6)
3(3)
3(1)
4(18)
4(15)
4(17)
4(10)
4(17)
5(10)
5(12)
5(12)
5(21)
5(17)
f. Understand and use computers
g. Understand risk management and its application to facilities and events
1(0)
1(0)
2(0)
2(0)
3(0)
3(1)
4(7)
4(9)
5(28)
5(25)
6. ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVES PREPARATION: The following are some specific perspectives that we stress in sport
management. On a scale from 1 (Low) to 5 (High), please indicate your evaluation of the WCU sport management program in
preparing you to do the following:
Low
Understand the broad concept of sport management
1(0)
Master your field of sport management
1(0)
Understand the historical perspective of sport management
1(0)
Understand the historical perspective of sport marketing
1(0)
Understand sport and its existence outside of the United States
1(0)
Understand the sociological perspective of sport
1(0)
Understand the psychological perspective of sport
1(0)
Understand written and case law and its application to sport
1(0)
Understand planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating as four distinct 1(0)
functions of a sport manager
j. Understand strategic planning in terms of goals, objectives, and strategies 1(0)
k. Understand organizational structure and its importance in sport management 1(0)
l. Understand the importance of professional associations and my
1(0)
involvement
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
High
3(0)
3(2)
3(3)
3(0)
3(4)
3(6)
3(2)
3(2)
3(2)
2(0)
2(0)
2(0)
3(4)
3(1)
3(2)
4(9) 5(24)
4(7) 5(26)
4(18) 5(14)
4(17) 5(18)
4(16) 5(16)
4(17) 5(12)
4(17) 5(16)
4(22) 5(11)
4(25) 5(8)
4(26)
4(16)
4(27)
5(5)
5(18)
5(6)
7. SPORT MANAGEMENT SERVICES: The following are services provided by Sport Management or other offices which have
service functions specifically related to sport management. Please indicate your evaluation of each.
1. did not know about
2. did not use
3. not satisfied with
4. satisfied with
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
Information about sport management prior to your arrival at WCU
Information about sport management once you started here at WCU
Academic advising about course work before you declared your major
Academic advising about course work after you declared your major
Career advising from your major advisor
Information about access to professional associations and conferences
related to sport management
g. CAP Center services related to sport management
h. Library materials related to sport management
1(28)
1(0)
1(0)
1(0)
1(0)
1(0)
2(6)
2(0)
2(6)
2(0)
2(4)
2(3)
3(0)
3(0)
3(6)
3(7)
3(4)
3(5)
4(0)
4(35)
4(23)
4(28)
4(29)
4(27)
1(0)
1(0)
2(5)
2(10)
3(12) 4(18)
3(9) 4(16)
Were you an athlete here at WCU
If you could begin again, would you choose to attend WCU?
Would you choose the same major?
Would you recommend WCU to others?
Would you recommend your major to others?
What was your concentration(s)? (Check all that apply)
a.__0___ Athletic Training
b.__11___ Athletic Administration
c.__5__ Event and Facility Mgmt. & Mktg.
d.__7___ Exercise Science/Fitness Management
Yes(12)
Yes(28)
Yes(30)
Yes(31)
Yes(34)
No(23)
No(7)
No(5)
No(4)
No(1)
e.__7__ Professional Sport Management
f.__0___ Recreational Sport Management
g.__0___ Sports Information
h.__5_ Sales
Would you select the same concentration(s) again?
Yes(32)
Did you obtain a minor or approved program in another field?
Yes(11)
If you answered yes in #15, what was it? MKT 4, Business Law 1, and MGT 1 Most common was marketing
Did you enroll in a sport management co-op while at WCU?
Yes(0)
Did you enroll in a sport management independent study at WCU?
Yes(7)
Did you actively participate in the SMSPA?
Yes(11)
No(3)
No(24)
No(35)
No(28)
No(24)
Educational Goal #1 Conceptual Knowledge
Determinants of conceptual knowledge come from student course evaluations at the end of the
semester, faculty assessments of student learning, assessment of student projects and the senior
survey (Appendix A) given to all graduation seniors. I can only comment on the student’s
perspective of conceptual knowledge from the results of the graduating sport management (SM)
senior survey, (See table one above for details), and the graduating senior survey administered by
the university.
Results from the (SM) graduating senior survey measured academic skill preparation in seven
categories (Question #5 on survey). On a scale of 1-5 with 5 representing the highest students
responded 4 or 5 to the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Think critically about issues in the field of sport management
Use library facilities and other information sources
Express my thoughts clearly in writing
Speak in front of a group
Develop ethical and moral values
Understand and use computers
Understand risk management and its application to facilities and events
80%
77%
83%
89%
97%
100%
97%
Results from the (SM) graduating senior survey measured academic perspectives preparation in
twelve categories (Question #6 on survey). On a scale of 1-5 with 5 representing the highest
students responded 4 or 5 to the following:
a. Understand the broad concept of sport management
b. Master your field of sport management
c. Understand the historical perspective of sport management
d. Understand the historical perspective of sport marketing
e. Understand sport and its existence outside of the United States
f. Understand the sociological perspective of sport
g. Understand the psychological perspective of sport
h. Understand written and case law and its application to sport
i. Understand planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating as four distinct
functions of a sport manager
j. Understand strategic planning in terms of goals, objectives, and strategies
k. Understand organizational structure and its importance in sport management
l. Understand the importance of professional associations and my
involvement
100%
94%
91%
100%
89%
83%
94%
94%
94%
89%
97%
94%
Results from the (SM) graduating senior survey indicate that students believe they are receiving
strong theoretical content within the sport management program. Our faculty believes that the
content delivered to the students is of a high quality and consistent with NASSM 2000 standards.
Educational Goal #2 Sport delivery system
Our students learn about the possibilities within the sport industry first in SM 260 Introduction to
Sport Management. Students are required to complete and industry portfolio. Later students
learn about the industry through networking with campus professional through practical
experiences SM 383 apprenticeships and then through Internships SM 484/485. Our students are
learning about the vast possibilities within the sport industry better than ever. This is reflected in
the diversity of internship placement, job attainment and career paths that our students are
choosing.
The (SM) graduating senior survey asked students questions concerning the sport delivery
system (Question #7). A response of 4 indicated that the student was satisfied with the service.
All responses of four are represented below.
a. Information about sport management prior to your arrival at WCU
b. Information about sport management once you started here at WCU
c. Academic advising about course work before you declared your major
d. Academic advising about course work after you declared your major
e. Career advising from your major advisor
f. Information about access to professional associations and conferences
related to sport management
g. CAP Center services related to sport management
h. Library materials related to sport management
0%
100%
83%
100%
89%
91%
86%
71%
In addition to the SM senior survey, a university senior survey was administered to all alumni.
Several sport management alumni responded to this survey, N=8. The survey was administered
in the spring of 2006. For overall educational experience 100% of the students evaluated the
quality of education in the major as good or excellent. 100% of responders would recommend
Sport Management to others.87.5% of responders agreed or strongly agree that the Internship
and apprenticeship helped them to further their skills and knowledge, prepared them to work
with diverse populations, prepared them to reflect on their own practice and helped them to be
enthusiastic about beig a professional in the sport industry. (For more details see WCU Sports
Management Alumni Survey Spring 2006 results)
Educational Goal #3 Writing skills
Written assignments are assessed in SM 260, 340, 460, 461, 415, 495, 484, 435, 423 and 383.
Once a semester a promotions project is completed in SM 461 Sport Marketing. The project is a
service learning opportunity that allows students to work directly with the WCU athletics
department and gain actual promotions experience with a college athletics team. Most students
are able to write effectively by the time that they complete their Sport Management courses.
However, poor writing skills are still quite prevalent among SM students. Those who have
difficulty writing proficiently are assessed a composition condition “CC” mark. Receiving two
“CC” marks requires the student to take ENGL 300. (Page 56 undergraduate catalog)
Question 5c. indicated that 83% of graduating seniors felt their writing skills had been developed
adequately.
Educational Goal #4 Oral presentation skills
Students are assessed on their oral presentation abilities in the following SM classes: SM 260,
340, 423, 460, 461, 495, 435, 485, and 415. All seniors that have not completed their internship
are encouraged to attend the internship presentations of graduating seniors. Most students that
have completed their internship return with a higher level of maturity, a deeper understanding of
the sport industry in their chosen field, and a level of professionalism. Oral presentations in the
spring, summer and fall of 2005 were good. Most students are capable of speaking effectively in
front of their peers and instructors by their senior year. Those students having difficulty
speaking effectively is assessed an oral composition condition “OCC” mark. Receiving two
“OCC” marks requires the student to take CMHC 300. (Page 56 undergraduate catalog)
Question 5d. indicated that 89% of graduating seniors felt their oral presentation skills had been
developed adequately.
Educational Goal #5 Risk Management
Students are required to write comprehensive risk management plans in SM 415, Legal Issues in
Sport, and SM 435, Event and Facility Management and Marketing. Evaluations of these
projects reveal that students have a strong understanding concerning risk management and
liability. Many students have been asked to evaluate, and in some case design, risk management
plans for their internship sites.
Question 5g. indicated that 97% of graduating seniors felt their understanding of risk
management and its application to facilities and events had been developed adequately.
Educational Goal #6 Computer application skills
Students are demonstrating superior abilities to use computer applications such as Word
Processing (All SM prefix courses excluding SM 383), Spreadsheets (SM 460 and SM 423),
PowerPoint (SM 461, 460, 485, 435, and 423), desktop Publishing (SM 461) and the Internet (a
variety of SM prefix classes). Most oral presentations are required to have accompanying
PowerPoint presentations. Spreadsheet application and cell programming are required for a
stock market project in SM 460, as well as a data collection research project in SM 423. Desktop
Publishing skills are required in SM 461 to develop Ticket to Sport Management.
Question 5f. indicated that 100% of graduating seniors felt their understanding and use of
computers had been developed adequately.
Educational Goal #7 & 8 Gaining Practical Experience and Employment/Career
Advancement
Internship interviews, as well as mid-term and final evaluations, with internship supervisors
reveal our students are well prepared for entry-level positions in the sport industry. Interviews
with site supervisors also reveal that our undergraduate students are superior to other students
coming from similar programs.
Our students continue to have success in obtaining quality internships and entry-level positions
in the sport industry. In the fall of 2001 an alumni database was completed and published on the
Sport Management web site. The directory can be view from the Sport Management web page at
http://www.ceap.wcu.edu/hhp/SportMgt.html. To date over 600 students have graduated with a
degree in Sport Management. We are in contact with approximately 250 of our alumni through
an email list serve. This, web-based, alumni directory is continually being updated with
employment and email information. Once a semester, Sport Management alumni receive a news
bulletin updating them on Sport Management news at WCU and encouraging them to visit the
alumni directory and submit any corrections. This database has helped us to assess how well our
program has placed students within the sport industry. This directory helps us to identify career
decisions our students are making post-graduation. Surveys will also be able to be administered
to past students gathering information concerning their experiences at WCU and its impact on
their career choices. This tool has been of great benefit both as an information source and as a
tool for implementing changes to our program.
Of the students that graduated in the spring, summer, and fall of 2005, (35), we have data
concerning job application and continuing education on 35. From this 35 15 were employed in a
sport management related field either full-time or part-time, 14 were planning to attend graduate
school, 6 were still looking for a position. One student indicated he was offered a job in sport
but turned it down due to low pay or location. Our job placement was only 43%. However if
you combine our job placement with continuing education it jumps to 83%. This number is
consistent, slightly higher, with last years finding and may indicate a more favorable economy
for the sport industry as a whole. We believe this shows tremendous success of the sport
management program at Western Carolina University.
IV. Current status and Program Changes or Improvements Resulting from Assessment
For the academic year 2007-08 the undergraduate sport management program made several
curricular changes and program changes. In the fall of 2005 the required number of hours to
graduate with a degree in Sport Management fell from 128 to 120 (See appendix C). This
change was implemented to help student’s better meet a four year graduation rate. At present
only about 1/10 of all undergraduate sport management programs have approval status from
NASSM/NASPE while over 300 undergraduate programs exist nationwide. Approval status has
been instrumental in distinguishing Western from other regional programs and has aided us in
the recruiting process. At present our approval status is valid through the year 2012.
Effective Spring 2007, SM added SM 340-Sport Ethics to the core course requirements. SM 340
replaces SM 313-Psychological Aspects of Sport. This change, and development of a new
course, was driven by a noticeable increase in unethical behavior in the sport industry.
Furthermore, SM 340 has been approved as a P4-Humanities course.
Graduation rates are reported in the WCU fact book for the August-May academic periods. The
following information was complied: In 2006-2007 Sport Management graduated 33 students,
and in 2007-2008 32 students graduated. This represents a slight decrease from the previous
academic year. The 2.5 GPA requirement that was increased from the 2.0 GPA requirement in
2001 had the desired effect of decreasing the total number of sport management students. With
limited faculty resources the total number of students needed to be decreased. However, it now
appears that the undergraduate Sport Management program is once again increasing. SM
graduated 32 students for the academic term 2005-06. If this trend continues we will need
additional faculty to meet the growing demand. Below in Table 2 are graduation rates dating
back to 200-2001. The Sport Management program expects to graduate 32 students for the
2007-2008 academic year.
Table 2
Sport Management Graduation Statistics from August-May by academic year
Year
# Graduated
yearly growth five year growth
2000-2001
31
2001-2002
41
32.25%
2002-2003
44
7.31%
2003-2004
32
-29.27%
2004-2005
32
0% & 3.23%
2005-2006
32
0% & 3.23%
2006-2007
33
Note: 2007-2008 32 estimated graduates.
Our placement of students into quality internships is going well. Currently all seniors (11), in the
spring 2008 senior seminar class are completing their internships and all 18 students are
preparing for their summer 2008 internships.
Our minimum GPA requirement remains 2.5. This GPA is required to enter the major,
internship and graduate. This change in required GPA had the desire impact of lowering the
number of students within the major. However, it now appears Sport Management is once again
growing. The total number of students who have declared Sport Management as their major is
now approximately 185. Currently, SM’s retention rate (ultimately leading to graduation) is the
highest in the Department at 95%. With three full-time SM faculty, and approximately 11 M.S.
degree students enrolled for the fall 2008 semester, the need for additional faculty is apparent.
Sport Management continues to be a popular major at Western Carolina University. It
consistently ranks in the top ten as one of the largest majors at the university and is by far the
largest major in the Business Administration and Law Department. Further, Sport Management
has the largest number of Honors College students in the entire College of Business. As a result
of this trend and the demand for continued development of sport industry professionals we now
offer a M.S. degree in sport management. This program began in the fall of 2006. With the
approval of the M.S. in Sport Management at all levels (Department, College, University, UNC
Board of Governors, Graduate Council and Senate) we anticipate that as many as 15 graduate
students will begin the program in the fall of 2008.
Appendix A
Graduating Senior Survey
Directions: As a part of our on-going assessment program, we want to know some things about your experience as a sport management
student. Please take a few moments to respond to the questions. Your responses will be kept confidential. They will become a part of a
program designed to improve Sport Management, which will enhance the value of your degree. Your cooperation is most appreciated.
1. CAREER STATUS - Please check one (1) statement which best describes your present status:
a. _____ Presently working in a full-time position that is related to sport management
b. _____ Presently working in a part-time position that is related to sport management
c. _____ Have accepted a full-time position which is related to sport management
d. _____ Have accepted a part-time position which is related to sport management
e. _____ Plan to attend graduate school full-time and have accepted a graduate assistantship
f. _____ Plan to attend graduate school full-time
g. _____ Still looking for a position
h. _____ Other __________________________________________________________________
2. If you have accepted a position, which of the following best describes how you found the job?
a. _____ Placement Office
b. _____ Co-op or internship
c. _____ Sport Management 260 Interview Assignment
d. _____ Direct individual contact with employer
e. _____ Through a professional association’s conference, workshop, or publication.
f. _____ Faculty
g. _____ Family or friends
h. _____ WCU Career Day/Job Fair
i.
_____ Classified ads
j.
_____ Private employment agency
k. _____ Off-campus Career Day or Job Fair
l.
_____ Other _____________________________________________________________________
3. If you have accepted a position or are currently employed, what is your annual salary range?
a. _____ Under $5,000
e. _____ $20,001 - 25,000
b. _____ $5,001 - 10,000
f. _____ $25,001 - 30,000
c. _____ $10,001 - 15,000
g. _____ $30,001 - 40,000
d. _____ $15,001 - 20,000
h. _____ $40,001 and higher
4. If you are not currently employed in a sport management position, please check one (1) of the following which best applies.
a. _____ Was offered a job in major, but turned it down due to salary
b. _____ Was offered a job in major, but turned it down due to location
c. _____ I am not seeking a job in my major field
d. _____ I am planning on attending graduate school
e. _____ Other _____________________________________________________________________
5. ACADEMIC SKILL PREPARATION: The following are some specific skills that we stress in sport management. On a scale
from 1 (Low) to 5 (High), please indicate your evaluation of the WCU sport management program in preparing you to do the
following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Low
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
Think critically about issues in the field of sport management
Use library facilities and other information sources
Express my thoughts clearly in writing
Speak in front of a group
Develop ethical and moral values
Understand and use computers
Understand risk management and its application to facilities and events
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
High
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
6. ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVES PREPARATION: The following are some specific perspectives that we stress in sport
management. On a scale from 1 (Low) to 5 (High), please indicate your evaluation of the WCU sport management program in
preparing you to do the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Understand the broad concept of sport management
Master your field of sport management
Understand the historical perspective of sport management
Understand the historical perspective of sport marketing
Understand sport and its existence outside of the United States
Understand the sociological perspective of sport
Understand the psychological perspective of sport
Understand written and case law and its application to sport
Understand planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating as four distinct
functions of a sport manager
j. Understand strategic planning in terms of goals, objectives, and strategies
k. Understand organizational structure and its importance in sport management
l. Understand the importance of professional associations and my
involvement
Low
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
High
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
4 5
1
1
1
3
3
3
4
4
4
2
2
2
5
5
5
7. SPORT MANAGEMENT SERVICES: The following are services provided by Sport Management or other offices which have
service functions specifically related to sport management. Please indicate your evaluation of each.
1. did not know about
2. did not use
3. not satisfied with
4. satisfied with
a. Information about sport management prior to your arrival at WCU
b. Information about sport management once you started here at WCU
c. Academic advising about course work before you declared your major
d. Academic advising about course work after you declared your major
e. Career advising from your major advisor
f. Information about access to professional associations and conferences
g. related to sport management
h. CAP Center services related to sport management
i. Library materials related to sport management
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
8.
Were you an athlete here at WCU
Yes
No
9.
If you could begin again, would you choose to attend WCU?
Yes
No
10.
Would you choose the same major?
Yes
No
11.
Would you recommend WCU to others?
Yes
No
12.
Would you recommend your major to others?
Yes
No
13.
What was your concentration(s)? (Check all that apply)
a. _____ Athletic Administration
b. _____ Event and Facility Mgmt. & Mktg.
c. _____ Exercise Science/Fitness Management
d. _____ Professional Sport Management
e. _____ Sports Information
f. _____ Sales
14.
Would you select the same concentration(s) again?
Yes
No
15.
Did you obtain a minor or approved program in another field?
Yes
No
16.
If you answered yes in #15, what was it? __________________________________
17.
Did you enroll in a sport management co-op while at WCU?
Yes
No
18.
Did you enroll in a sport management independent study at WCU?
Yes
No
19.
Did you actively participate in the Sport Management Student-Professional Assoc.?
Yes
No
21.
What was your best experience regarding sport management while attending WCU?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is your Current
Name:
__________________________________________________
Address:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Phone Number:
__________________________________________________
E-mail:
__________________________________________________
Business Title:
__________________________________________________
Business Address
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Appendix B
SM 484/485
SPORT MANAGEMENT
INTERNSHIP TERM REPORT
I.
History of the Organization
II.
Identify the organizational typology (type)
A. Goods vs. service as products (tangible vs. intangible products)
B. Professional service or consumer service (Coach-athlete; doctor-patient vs. Bagging groceries, hotel
services)
C. Profit vs. non-profit
D. Private vs. public
- Private depends on memberships, private contributions, sale of products/services
- Public depends on funds from tax moneys or government funds
III.
Management Functions of the Organization
A. Planning - bridges the gap from where the organization is to where it wants to be. (Chelladurai, 1986,
p. 5)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify the goals of the organization
Objectives - What is the organization’s objectives for meeting their goals?
Does the organization have a formal strategic plan?
a. If so, is it linked to budget development?
Identify the constraints under which the organization must work.
a. Personnel
b. Physical
c. Technological
d. Financial
Forecasting
a. What is the growth potential of the particular industry?
b. Identify trends that may positively or negatively effect the organization/industry.
(For a & b, identify two sources of professional publications to write this section. Use APA style).
Program/Market planning
a. Scope
1. What should be done or offered?
2. What facilities are available or could reasonably be used?
3. Are corporate sponsorships being effectively used (if applicable)?
b. Revenues - From where does the money come?
c. Expenditures - Where do the moneys go?
1. Personnel
2. Inventory
3. Facility
4. Marketing/Promotions
5. Other
(Use pie charts/graphs to depict revenue and expenditures).
B. Organizing - Breaking down the work specified in the planning process into specific jobs and then
establishing a
relationship among the jobs and the individuals assigned to carry them out (Chelladurai, 1985,
p. 6)
1. Organizational chart (Include the chart used by your organization and include your position. If
they don’t have one, you must create one)
| Line - Has some authority;
___
Staff - No Authority
------- Advisory or support position
2. Position description
a. For intern
b. For direct supervisor
- Include for both:
1. Position title
2. Position duties
3. Position qualifications
4. Position relationships (With whom in the organization do you have to work?)
3. Selection Process for employees
a. Advertising
b. What is required for the application process? (Resume’, letter of application,
recommendations?)
c. Explain the interview process used. (Who screens, who interviews, who makes the final
decision?)
d. Is there an employee orientation?
e. Is there employee training?
f. Does the organization support/require continued professional growth through attendance at
meetings/conferences, etc.?)
4. Span of Control
a. How many people work for the organization?
b. How many people are directly supervised by your immediate supervisor?
c. Do you supervise anyone? If so, who and how many?
C. Leading - Influencing others to motivate themselves to carry out assigned tasks/responsibilities.
1. How does your immediate supervisor get others to perform?
2. How does s/he relate to those under his/her span of control?
3. How does the head of the organization influence others?
4. How are employees rewarded for their performance?
5. If you have any employees under your supervision, have you tried anything special to get them to
do the job or a better job?
D. Evaluating - Allows the organization to gain feedback on how it is doing and in what aspects it can
improve.
1.
2.
IV.
How does the organization measure effectiveness? Is one specific model used
Does the organization use marketing research or analysis to evaluate if it is serving its target
market? If other markets could be served?
Risk Management - Does the organization have a formal risk management plan?
A. If YES:
1. How in depth is it?
2. Who is in charge of risk management for the organization? Note: All organizations should have
risk management at some level even if it is to protect its own employees.
B. If not, what happens in case of a medical emergency? Tornado? Bomb threat?
C. Do you think their current risk management situation is prudently professional?
V.
Intern Evaluation of the total experience
A. Was this work experience related to academic training? How or why not?
B. Was this work experience related to your career plans?
1. Has this internship convinced you that you wish to pursue this line of work as a career? Why or
why not?
2. If no, what do you want to pursue?
Remember: This will be graded as a final SENIOR PAPER. All spelling and grammatical errors should be
eliminated (10%). This should be an in-depth comprehensive paper using APA style.
Appendix C
Sport Management Program
MAJOR IN SPORT MANAGEMENT, B.S. DEGREE
Liberal Studies, 42 hours
The major requires 73-76 hours as follows:
Core courses, 55 hours
ACCT 161 Accounting for the Non-Business Major, 3 hours or ACCT 251 Accounting Principles I—Financial, 3
hours
CIS 110 Introduction to Computer Information Systems, 3 hours or CS 130 Introduction to Computing, 3 hours
ECON 231 Introductory Microeconomics and Social Issues, 3 hours
MGT 300 Introduction to Management, 3 hours
MKT 301 Principles of Marketing, 3 hours
SM 260 Introduction to Sport Management, 3 hours
SM 340 Sport Ethics, 3 hours
SM 380, 383, or 389 Independent Study, Apprenticeship, or Cooperative Education, 1 hour
SM 415 Legal Issues for the Sport Practitioner, 3 hours
SM 423 Sociology of Sport, 3 hours
SM 435 Event and Facility Management and Marketing, 3 hours
SM 445 Sport Administration, 3 hours
SM 460 Financial Aspects of Sport, 3 hours
SM 461 Sport Marketing, 3 hours
SM 484, 485 Internship in Sport Management, 12 hours
SM 495 Sport Management Seminar, 3 hours
Concentrations (18 - 21 hours) selected from:
Athletic Administration*: LAW 315; CMPR 360; SM 315; Select three from MKT 302, 304, 306, 405, 407, 409, and
410.
Event and Facility Management and Marketing: ET 424; MGT 302; SM 330, 315; Select two from MKT 302, 304,
306, 405, 407, 409, and 410.
Exercise Science and Fitness Management: CHEM 132, 133; ND 330; PE 423, 425; PE 335 or BIOL 291 or BIOL
292.
Professional Sport Management: CMPR 360; LAW 230 or 315; MGT 302; Select three from MKT 302, 304, 306,
405, 407, and 409.
Sales: ACCT 251 or 252; LAW 230; MGT 401; Select three from MKT 302, 304, 306,407, 409, and 410.
Sports Information: CMCR 140, 301; CMPM 303, 304, 305; CMPR 360.
General electives (2-5 hours), including appropriate credits at the junior-senior level, are required to
complete the program.