Popular Major Garners National Recognition
Wilmington College’s academic program in sport management achieved a “significant milestone” as Best Small Colleges ranked WC number one in the nation in its 2015 Sport Management Degree Guide.
The designation is for sport management programs at colleges with fewer than 3,000 students. Wilmington was selected first among 20 finalists as a result of its high freshman-to-sophomore retention rate, which Best Small Colleges views as “an indicator of student satisfaction.”
Wilmington College established its sport management program during the 1997-98 academic year and it has grown to become among the institution’s largest majors.
Dr. Erika Goodwin, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, said the top ranking is indicative of the “good work” by the faculty and their desire to continually improve the program. She cited the work of Dr. Daniel Kelly, who joined the faculty last year as associate professor of sport management and program director.
“In a year and an half, he has already transformed the program through new curriculum and several new, hands-on, sport management activities,” she said referring to such events as the Quaker Back-Breaker youth edition obstacle race, a fundraiser for the Pat Summitt Foundation, Hermann Madness pep rally for the basketball teams and the Homecoming Adventure Run 5K.
Goodwin said these activities not only provide students with practical experience, but they also raise awareness on campus and throughout the community of a program on the rise.
Kelly credited the College’s hallmark for “hands-on learning and hands-on living” with providing a foundation for which sport management majors gain practical, out-of-the-classroom experience through internships and other activities as a focal point of their curriculum.
“I believe this program recognition sets the bar exceptionally high for future expectations,” he said noting that, since his first day at WC, he has endeavored to set standards high when it comes to excellence and accountability.
“Our students can take pride in the fact that the Wilmington College sport management degree is gaining respect in the professional marketplace and is considered a high value experience.”
The program offers two concentrations, administration and wellness. It is designed to prepare students for employment in wellness, sport and sports-related enterprises. Each requires an internship in which students are able to apply classroom learning to real-life, on-the-job situations.
He noted that graduates of the program have been employed throughout the sports and wellness industries, including with teams in the National Football League and Major League Soccer.
Kelly said the top ranking should be a “point of pride” for program alumni.
“They can rest assured that the sport management program is continuing to improve and make progress towards building and sustaining a positive brand in the professional marketplace,” he said, noting that he feels alumni are “the foundation of the current success.”
