Name: Dr. Thomas H. Sawyer
Current Job Title: Professor of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Management
School Name: Indiana State University

Did you ever work in the sports industry? If so, how did you land your first job or internship?

Yes, I was an Associate Athletic Director at a NCAA Division III school in the Northwest. It was one of four hats I wore at the small college. I complained about what was happening with facility management and athletic scheduling and the President said I should take on those “new” duties.

What advice would you give to students looking to make sports their career?

Become involved in the profession as a volunteer as soon as you can. Do at least one if not multiple internships to build a detailed contact list. Subscribe to as many trade and professional magazines or newspapers as possible and join one or two professional organizations.

Why is it important to get a Bachelors degree in sports management for people who are looking to work in sports?

The foundation for a position in sport management is learning about sport management in detail and linking it to either a minor in business administration or marketing. Sport management business is an applied field of study where professors apply business principles to the management of sport.

When trying to select a post graduate program, what advice would you give a prospective student?

There are two types of post graduate programs – specialization in a specific area such as marketing and a generalists program that covers all the bases in depth. You should determine what you need for your future career before making the final decision.

What are the main selection criteria you consider when selecting students to be admitted into your program?

Undergraduate level we are an open access university. Graduate level we 2.75 gpa on a 4.0 scale.

How important is it for students to do an internship before they graduate? What advice would you give a student looking to select a sports internship?

It is extremely important for students to complete practicum and internship opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These opportunities allow students a chance to learn about the future career they are preparing for and to develop important contacts for the future job search.

In selecting an internship the student should look for opportunities were their future may exist. They should treat the process of selecting and gaining an internship the same way they would when looking for future employment.

What are the main challenges that sports specific academic programs face over the next 3-5 years?

The following are the major challenges of the future:

The economy coupled with the declining job market for future graduates, The competition among the various sport management programs, The philosophical debate as to whether the curriculum should be business based or non business based, and what will be the accreditation options be for future sport management programs?