Choosing Sport Management as a College Major

The purpose of this study was to better understand sport management students within departments of parks, recreation, and tourism, and to address the often uneasy fit faculty experience when trying to educate sport and recreation students in the same classes. Researchers sent a 16-item online questionnaire to 1,337 undergraduate sport management majors at seven universities offering sport management as an emphasis within a department of parks, recreation, and tourism. Results yielded a 32% response rate, and indicated many similarities among the seven universities. The results also provided guidance for addressing the challenges faced by parks, recreation, and tourism educators when teaching students who identify with sport rather than recreation, and who are highly focused on a career in sport. The article concludes with implications for advising, curriculum planning, and employment potential.