Sport and Recreation Management, BA

From marketing and finance to event and facilities management and more, the exciting and challenging world of sport and recreation management offers many opportunities to combine sports and business.

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Overview

Our Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Recreation Management prepares students for careers in managing organizations in the sport, recreation, and leisure industries or for graduate study. In this program, you will learn to apply the core professional competencies of sport and recreation management, develop a career and professional development plan, apply basic qualitative and quantitative research skills, and employ effective written and verbal communication skills appropriate for the sport and recreation management industry.

The learning outcomes of this program align with the core professional competencies published by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

Program Details

Live What You Learn
- Hands-on learning opportunities in every course
- Faculty-led experiences that guide you to achieve success, learn from disappointments, and become a personally and socially responsible professional
- Internship or practicum experience that is designed for and contracted with each student
Career Opportunities
- Intercollegiate athletic administration
- Municipal parks and recreation departments
- Community sport programs
- Professional and amateur sports and recreation organizations and commercial sports and recreation industries such as fitness and activity centers, sports camps, and other private sport and recreation organizations

Recognition and Rankings

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in the state, as acknowledged by Intelligent.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

NEC Ranked Leading College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in NH, as acknowledged by EduRank, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best colleges in New Hampshire, as acknowledged by Academic Influence, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

Faculty

Edward Royer
Visiting Assistant Professor, Sport and Recreation Management
Phone: 603.428.2542
Email: eroyer@nec.edu

Awards
NEC Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award, 2020

Educational Background
JD, South Texas College of Law
MS in Sport Management, University of Florida
BA in Political Science, University of South Florida

Research Interests
- Legal issues in sports and recreation
- Youth sports
- Soccer
- Sociological issues in sports
Bio
Edward Royer came to NEC after practicing law and holding various roles in sport administration for 15 years in Florida. Ed ran a successful law firm in Tampa, Florida, where he practiced at the State and Federal levels. After obtaining his Juris Doctorate and developing multiple successful law firms assisting clients around the world, in primarily a consumer advocate role, he returned to the University of Florida to obtain his MS in Sport Management. Ed worked closely with industry professionals and youth sport organizations to develop, implement, and train organizations and coaches on character literacy development in youth sports.

His professional career outside of academia includes work as an attorney as well as a coaching role with the New England Revolution. He has applied this combination of practical and academic experience to a variety of consultancies in the sports industry throughout the country, relating to legal issues, facility management and development, program administration, and non-profit operations.

In the soccer industry, Ed has served as a scout, a director for a nationally ranked youth club, and a head coach while winning coach of the year twice in Florida; worked with the AS Roma United States Academy team; and created coaching education and trained coaches. In addition to his current role as an academy staff coach with the New England Revolution, he currently serves as the Director of Player Development for the NEC Men’s Soccer team.

Ed is active in a variety of civic and cultural organizations, including non-profits like United Through Football and the Dreams Heard Foundation. He also serves as faculty advisor for the NEC Sport and Recreation Management student club and is actively engaged in event management roles at NEC. Outside of professional interests, he travels, reads, writes, and enjoys the outdoors while living in New Hampshire with his family.
Matthew Ruckman
Associate Professor, Sport and Recreation Management
Office: John Lyons 214, Henniker Campus
Phone: 603.428.2692
Email: mruckman@nec.edu

Expertise
NCAA Rules Compliance—Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics

Educational Background
EdD in Physical Education and Health, University of West Florida
MS in Recreation and Sport Science, Ohio University
BS in Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science with concentration in Physical Education

Research Interests
- College Student-Athlete Welfare
- Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics
- Sport Management Pedagogy
Bio
Dr. Matthew Ruckman is a Sport and Recreation Management faculty member. During his tenure in higher education, Dr. Ruckman has specialized in the area of Sport Governance to include NCAA governance, policy development, and policy enforcement. He has participated in NCAA compliance reviews and made recommendations for best practices. In addition, he has spearheaded comprehensive assessments of gender equity in intercollegiate athletics. Dr. Ruckman is actively involved in a number of research and evaluation projects in the collegiate sport industry. He has authored publications on student-athlete welfare and gender equity in intercollegiate athletics. Dr. Ruckman’s current research focuses on student-athlete welfare topics including overall wellness and career preparation. Dr. Ruckman is also currently exploring fan satisfaction in the competitive collegiate sport environment. Finally, Dr. Ruckman also conducts evaluation projects for city parks and recreation systems. He has developed strategic plans for parks and recommended capital improvement projects.

Degree Requirements

Requirements

(52 Credits)

SM 1510 (KI 1510) - Introduction to Sport and Recreation Management

(minimum passing grade of C- in the major)
AC 2330 - Survey of Accounting
BU 2510 - Principles of Marketing
SM 3120 (KI 3120) - Sport in the Global Society
SM 3410 - Sport Governance and Ethics
SM 3440 - Management and Leadership in Sport and Recreation
SM 3540 (BU 3540) - Sport Marketing
SM 3560 - Sport Media
SM 3710 (BU 3710) - Sport Facility and Event Management
SM 3730 - Sport Finance and Economics
SM 4710 (KI 4710) - Legal Issues in Sport and Recreation
SM 4950 - Senior Seminar in Sport and Recreation Management: Issues in Professional Practice

(minimum passing grade of C in the major)

(Sport and Recreation Management majors should consult with their faculty academic advisor to select the course depending on individual career goals and interests)

Liberal Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum, Bachelor's Degree

Electives

Select additional electives to reach 120 credits for a Bachelor's degree.