Syracuse University Project Advance
SPM 205
Principles of Sport Management
Fall 2014/Spring 2015
Instructor: Dennis Sasso
Email: Dennis.Sasso@riverdell.org
Class Location: 906
Class Time:
Period 4- B, C, D
COURSE DESCRIPTION
 An introductory course which will provide an overview of the various facets of the sport industry
through an examination of problems and issues faced by contemporary sport managers. Unique
characteristics of sport and resulting social and ethical responsibilities of sport managers will be
discussed. Career options within the different facets of the sport industry will also be discussed.
 This course is offered by Dennis Sasso, who is part of the Syracuse University Project Advance
and has been trained by Dr. Gina Pauline, Undergraduate Sport Management Program
Coordinator, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Part of your grade for this
course is determined by submitting selected materials to Professor Pauline for review and
grading. At Syracuse University, SPM 205 fulfills a requirement for the undergraduate sport
management program and general elective at the University.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to:
 Identify and describe the unique characteristics and dimensions of sport.
 Examine some of the major problems/issues facing sport managers.
 Develop a knowledge and understanding of what is involved in the management of sports.
 Gain an appreciation and an understanding for the realm of facets within the sports industry.
 To apply the foundation and principles of sport management to various aspects of the sport
industry.
 Understand the social and ethical responsibilities involved in managing sport organizations and
events.
 Identify career opportunities in the sports industry and how to be prepared for these
opportunities.
COURSE MATERIALS
1) Required
Masteralexis, Barr, and Hums. Principles and Practice of Sport Management. 4th Edition, 2012.
2) Supplemental Readings
Readings will be assigned from various sources. All readings and/or website links, if not
distributed, will be posted on SchoolWires, either under Course Documents or External Links. It
is your responsibility to read them. They are part of the course content. You are to check your
course schedule to see when outside readings are assigned.
3) Recommended readings
Street and Smith Sport Business Journal
Robinson, Hums, Crow, and Phillips. Profiles of Sport Industry Professionals. 2001
COURSE STRUCTURE
 This course will include lectures, discussions, group work, guest speakers, and field trips.
Students will be tested on the information provided from the required textbooks, lectures,
handouts, discussions, guest speakers, trips, and videos.
SCHOOLWIRES/EMAIL
 SchoolWires and email will be used throughout this course. The notes for lectures will be posted.
These notes will require you to pay attention in class and fill in the missing material. It is
expected that you print out the notes and appropriate materials prior to class. A copy of each of
the assignments for this class will also be posted on SchoolWires.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students are expected to fulfill the requirements of this course that include, but are not limited to the
following:
 Be fully prepared for class by reading all class assignments from the text, class handouts, and any
other assignments given by the instructor.
 Presenting information and participating in class when assigned or appropriate.
 Attend all class meetings.
 Be on time for class, lateness will NOT be tolerated. You are also expected to stay the entire class
period. (I reserve the right to count you absent if you arrive late or leave early from class) If there
is a circumstance in which you know you must leave early or arrive late, please notify me in
advance.
 Submit all assignments on the designated due dates.
 Put all your time, energy, and attention into class during class meetings
 Know the details of current sport events as they relate to the content we are covering in class.
 Create a positive learning environment.
 Turn-off and put away all cell phones, ipods, laptops, and other electronic devices when you enter
class unless otherwise directed (turning cell phones to vibrate is NOT the same as turning them
off). Texting and checking email while in class WILL NOT be tolerated. It is disrespectful,
and distracts from your learning experience.
CLASS ATTENDENCE: 56-minute classes, as dictated by rotating schedule.
Daily attendance is mandatory, except for documented emergency situations. You can miss TWO classes
without being penalized. Absences beyond the permissible number (two) will result in a loss of a onethird reduction in a letter grade for each missed class.
Classroom assignments, assignments due the day you are absent, and exams CANNOT be made up for
unexcused absences nor can they be emailed when you are not in class for an unexcused absence.
THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.
NOTE: - You are expected to put all your time, energy, and attention into class during the time we have
together each week. Doing other work, searching the internet, text messaging, sleeping, reading the
newspaper, playing games on your cell phone/laptop, etc. will NOT be tolerated. If any of these instances
are found to be occurring, you will be given an automatic absence for the day. THERE WILL BE NO
EXCEPTIONS.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
All coursework will be classified and graded on a total points system.
Chapter and Reading Exams (50 pts.)
There will be various reading/content examinations throughout the semester, based on text chapters and
assigned readings. Reading/content exams may not be announced prior to the date of assessment.
Application exercises (25 pts.)
During the course of the semester, there will be four application exercises in which students will have the
opportunity to engage in the material in an applied setting. The areas that are covered and the due dates
for the assignment will correspond with the course schedule. Some of the areas to be covered include
marketing, event management, media relations, and ethics.
Sport Organization Assignment (25 pts.)
In the beginning of the semester, students will select a sport organization of their interest and research the
following elements: purpose, mission, history, stakeholders, issues, and types of jobs offered within the
organization. Students will also provide a 90 second presentation to try to “sell” the organization to the
class based on their research.
Sports Business Journal Analysis Papers (25 pts.)
Students will select an article from a recent Sports Business Journal that addresses an area that has been
discussed or will be discussed in class. Students are expected to link the course materials to current issues
occurring in the sport business industry. Each analysis must contain a brief discussion of the topic of the
article (2-3 sentences); analysis of the topic as it relates to course material (2-3 paragraphs); and
concluding paragraph about the implications of this topic on the sport industry.
Final Research Paper and Presentation (100 pts.)
Students will be expected to put together a research paper towards the end of the semester, focusing on a
specific area of the industry that they are interested in, research the field as well as conduct interviews
with professionals in this area.
NOTES:
All Class Assignments MUST be typed and proof read for grammar, spelling, and typo errors. All
assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class. Assignments cannot be emailed. Assignments
that are not received at the beginning of class when they are collected will be considered late and will
NOT be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY.
Make Up Exams/Evaluations:
It is the policy of the Sport Management Program not to give make-up examinations. In extenuating
circumstances, and with proper advanced notification, the instructor may grant permission to administer
the exam at a mutually agreed upon date and time with an individual student.
GRADING SCALE:
Based on a percentage system of total points for the class as follows:
93-100 A
87-89 B+
77-79 C+
60-69 D
Below 60
90-92 A83-86 B
73-76 C
80-82 B70-72 C-
F
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT
“Syracuse University sets high standards for academic integrity. Those standards are supported and
enforced by students, including those who serve as academic integrity hearing panel members and hearing
officers. The presumptive sanction for a first offense is course failure, accompanied by the transcript
notation “Violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.” Students should review the Office of Academic
Integrity online resource “Twenty Questions and Answers About the Syracuse University Academic
Integrity Policy” and confer with instructors about course-specific citation methods, permitted
collaboration (if any), and rules for examinations. The Policy also governs the veracity of signatures on
attendance sheets and other verification of participation in class activities. Additional guidance for
students can be found in the Office of Academic Integrity resource: ‘What does academic integrity
mean?’”
Related Links:
 The Academic Integrity Policy: http://academicintegrity.syr.edu/academic-integrity-policy/
 Twenty Questions and Answers about the Academic Integrity Policy:
http://academicintegrity.syr.edu/faculty-resources/
 What does academic integrity mean?: http://academicintegrity.syr.edu/what-does-academicintegrity-mean/