Sports Administration FAQ

Careers in Sports Administration

What is sports administration?

Sports administration is the work of running sports organizations, including operations, event management, facilities, fundraising, sponsorship, marketing, and governance. Sports administrators keep teams, clubs, schools, and leagues running and growing.

What jobs can I get in sports administration?

The course prepares you for roles in sports program management, event and facility operations, athletic administration, national and regional federation leadership, sponsorship and fundraising strategy, nonprofit sports development, sports marketing and public relations, and board and organizational governance.

Which organizations hire sports administrators?

Sports administrators work in school and university athletics departments, Olympic and multi sport event committees, international and national governing bodies, professional and amateur leagues and clubs, college conferences, youth and grassroots programs, inclusive sports organizations such as Special Olympics, community recreation programs, sports halls of fame, venues, and corporate and nonprofit sports partnerships.

What is meant by a “New Era” athletic director?

A New Era athletic director is someone who is aware of the pressures facing school athletics today and equipped to handle them. Budgets keep shrinking, student athlete pathways are changing, physical education programs are being cut, and parents are more involved than ever. SMWW’s course teaches new revenue streams, corporate sponsorships, NCAA recruiting guidelines, and how to lead in your community.

If I have no experience as a sports administrator, will this course be beneficial?

Yes. The weekly live video chats let you interact with colleagues who have been in the industry for years and are looking for new answers to old problems, so you can share ideas with people from many backgrounds. Dr. Lashbrook has more than thirteen years of experience as a university assistant athletic director and athletic director, and the format benefits coaches, teachers, parents, current administrators, and future administrators.

I’m currently a coach or athletic director. How will this help me?

If you want to create income for your sports program, this course gives you the tools. Any sports organization can use these methods, even on a very small budget, to grow its fan base, promote its teams, and create income, and they can double as fundraisers that connect your community with your team and coaching staff.

What skills do sports administrators need?

Sports administrators need skills in management, fundraising, sponsorship, marketing and public relations, event planning, facility operations, human resources, and leadership. SMWW’s course covers all of these in a practical way.

About the SMWW Sports Administration Course

Who teaches the Sports Administration course?

The course is taught by Mushtaque Mohammed, Vice President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) with more than 35 years of experience in international sport, and SMWW President and Founder Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, a former NCAA athletic director. Students join weekly live Zoom sessions with both mentors.

What will I learn in the Sports Administration course?

Over eight weeks you learn to run day to day sports operations, plan large events and tournaments, develop sponsorships and fundraising strategies, build a sports organization structure, manage facilities with safety in mind, lead teams and boards with effective governance, and use marketing and public relations to grow fan engagement.

Can the course help me raise money for my sports program?

Yes. You learn methods for fundraising, marketing, sponsorship generation, and other revenue building initiatives. Many schools and organizations pay for staff development, and graduates bring these skills back to change the financial future of their programs.

Will the Sports Administration course help me get a job in sports?

It can help, though no course can guarantee a job. Graduates receive an SMWW Certificate of Accomplishment, a resume redesign and career coaching, and access to SMWW’s global alumni network of more than 30,000 graduates in 163 countries. SMWW alumni work in leadership roles with schools, professional teams, federations, and community programs around the world.

How is the Sports Administration course taught online?

The course is fully online over eight weeks, with weekly live Zoom chats, discussion boards, weekly readings, quizzes, and course projects. Class size is limited to 15 students, and all training materials are included in the course fee.

What if I need one-on-one assistance?

SMWW staff are available by phone throughout the course for one on one help with coursework, live sessions, or career questions. Call 1 877 SMWW NOW in the United States and Canada, +44 0 871 288 4799 in the United Kingdom, or +1 503 445 7105 from anywhere else. Our offices are in Portland, Oregon, and London, England.

Do you have more questions?

Call the office and ask! 1-877-SMWW-Now in the US or Canada. In London at +44(0) 871 288 4799. Everywhere else at +1-503-445-7105.