Bachelor of Science in Sport & Recreation Management

Saint Joseph’s sport & recreation management major provides students with a strong working knowledge of sports & recreation from an operational perspective. Upon completion, students will have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to work in sports and recreation industries.

Sport and recreation management students visit Hadlock field to learn about facility management of the complex.

Throughout the program, students study courses in sports and recreation marketing, sports and recreation law, sport and society, facilities management, and event planning. Internships are required to give students exciting networking opportunities available in order to gain experience and make contacts for future employment after graduation.

At a Glance

  • Faculty with real-world experience in the sport and recreation management field.
  • Faculty members provide personal attention and mentoring for students.
  • Access to outstanding, flexible internships, including ties with the professional sports community in Portland, as well as local recreation organizations.
  • Integrated major with business administration prepares students for the possibility of later working in sales, merchandising, or management as it relates to sports and recreation.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Employment of recreation workers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.” The New England states currently have a high number of employment opportunities in recreation. With a greater emphasis on well-being through the lifespan, there will be a need for more recreation programming and professionals to administer those programs.

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Sport & Recreation Management curriculum enables student to apply business knowledge and skills to the unique demands of a sports- or recreation-related industry.

Minors

Some of the faculty

Dr. Karen Croteau
Dr. Karen CroteauProfessor of Health & Wellness Promotion/Exercise Science
EdD, Boston University
MEd, McNeese State University
BS, Bridgewater State College
Christopher Willer
Christopher WillerAssistant Professor
MSEd, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine)
BS, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine)
Christopher Woodside
Christopher WoodsideAssistant Professor, Sport and Exercise Science / Sports Management
EdD, Concordia University of Chicago
MA, University of Connecticut
BS, Eastern Connecticut State University

Student stories

Keegan Wilcox ’23

Sport + Recreation Facility Design + Management course

Keegan
Wilcox Hadlock Field

“I really enjoyed the class trip to Hadlock Field and getting out of the classroom was a great experience to not only get the visual and hands-on experience of working for a professional sports organization, but also to narrow down some of the future career paths I myself could take. I believe that bringing the class out of the classroom and doing something visually really enhances the way the classroom learns and opens up some new opportunities. Taking this trip had also opened up the relationships in the class and made the classroom feel more comfortable as we all had got to learn more about our peers as well.”

Teegan Gilreath

Teegan Gilreath ’24

Sport + Recreation Facility Design + Management course

“I think that getting out of the classroom and touring sports facilities is a very important aspect of my learning experience. Facility management is the first course that I've taken here at SJC where we left campus to go and have hands-on experience. Professor Woodside has given my peers and I this different learning experience and I think that it has positively impacted not just myself but everyone else. From traveling to Boston seeing a brand new facility to going to Portland. Both of these tours were an experience that I have never seen before. This also creates opportunities for us to see if these are potential places that we might work at one day.”

New Balance Track fieldtrip

Keegan Wilcox ’23

Sport + Recreation Facility Design + Management course

Keegan

“I really enjoyed the class trip to Hadlock Field and getting out of the classroom was a great experience to not only get the visual and hands-on experience of working for a professional sports organization, but also to narrow down some of the future career paths I myself could take. I believe that bringing the class out of the classroom and doing something visually really enhances the way the classroom learns and opens up some new opportunities. Taking this trip had also opened up the relationships in the class and made the classroom feel more comfortable as we all had got to learn more about our peers as well.”

Wilcox Hadlock Field

Teegan Gilreath ’24

Sport + Recreation Facility Design + Management course

Teegan Gilreath

“I think that getting out of the classroom and touring sports facilities is a very important aspect of my learning experience. Facility management is the first course that I've taken here at SJC where we left campus to go and have hands-on experience. Professor Woodside has given my peers and I this different learning experience and I think that it has positively impacted not just myself but everyone else. From traveling to Boston seeing a brand new facility to going to Portland. Both of these tours were an experience that I have never seen before. This also creates opportunities for us to see if these are potential places that we might work at one day.”

New Balance Track fieldtrip

Career moves

Explore the possible career paths available with a degree in sport management: sports media, merchandising, professional team and league operations, and more.

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