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School of Sport Sciences

Sport Leadership, BA

Flexible and customizable, the Bachelor of Arts in Sport Leadership allows you to pursue your specific area of interest in the world of sports on your terms.

This unique program covers all traditional aspects of the sport industry for potential careers in the high school, collegiate, and professional ranks, but also opens the door to opportunities in youth and club sports, community recreation, and other emerging areas in a $70.3 billion industry.

You’ll shape your academic path based on your interests in the administrative, psychological, social, or educational sides of sport. Along the way, you’ll build leadership and management skills while exploring real-world challenges in the sport industry. You’ll graduate with a leadership philosophy and professional portfolio that reflects your goals and growth.

Your Degree Plan Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Meet Your Community Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Person wearing a WV Football sweatshirt carries a football.

The Sport Leadership program introduces you to the core elements of the wide-ranging sport industry, then gives you the flexibility to focus on the areas that match your interests and career goals.

This program allows you to customize your learning experience based on your interests and career goals, offering a flexible path to a range of opportunities in the sport industry.

You’ll build a foundation in leadership theory and apply that knowledge across key areas of sport, including administration, psychology, education, and the social dynamics of teams and organizations. Through this approach, you’ll develop the skills to think critically, lead ethically, and navigate complex professional challenges.

You’ll then choose classes that align with your interests, allowing you to dive deeper into topics like governance, coaching, marketing, facility operations, or athlete development. This flexibility ensures your coursework reflects your goals and prepares you for the specific career path you want to pursue in the sport industry.

You’ll gain real-world experience through a required internship in a sport leadership setting of your choice. This hands-on opportunity lets you apply what you’ve learned while building your leadership skills, confidence, and professional network.

Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:

  • ACE 256:
    Foundations of Coaching

    Designed to teach students the foundations and principles of athletic coaching.

  • SEP 371:
    Sport in American Society

    Students will explore, critically analyze, and develop strategies for addressing major social issues affecting sport in American society.

  • SM 375:
    Sport in the Global Market

    An examination of the role of sports within the broader process of globalization. Its impact on culture, politics, economics and how these influences shape today's sport.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the Â鶹¹ÙÍø Honors College. Two programs are offered: and .

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

As a Sport Leadership student, you'll:

  • Engage in critical reflection of your leadership strengths and areas for growth through the development of a leadership portfolio.
  • Complete two semesters of professional development courses to explore sport industry careers that interest you most.
  • Complete a relevant internship, of your choice and anywhere in the world, for course credit as you prepare for your workforce future.
  • Choose where to spend your time by creating a major that merges the parts of the sport industry that matter to you most.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the you can join.

Attending college will prepare you for many things. The Sport Leadership major will give you the following skills:

  • Leadership skills needed to make a significant and positive impact within the organizations with which you will work.
  • Interpersonal skills that will allow you to build meaningful relationships and communicate your most important ideas.
  • Problem-solving skills to handle life’s toughest challenges and decisions.
  • The ability to navigate the shifting challenges in a rapidly evolving sport industry landscape.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $102,950

Possible job titles include: General Manager (GM), Operations Director, Operations Manager, Store Manager.

Explore Career

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $61,340

Possible job titles include: Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, Fitness and Wellness Director, Fitness Coordinator, Fitness Director.

Explore Career

Coaches and Scouts

Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $45,920

Possible job titles include: Basketball Coach, Coach, Football Coach, Track and Field Coach.

Explore Career

Recreation Workers

Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $35,380

Possible job titles include: Activities Assistant, Activities Director, Recreation Coordinator, Recreation Supervisor.

Explore Career

Further your education

Keep going right here at Â鶹¹ÙÍø. Consider these graduate programs:

Meet Your Community

The Sport Leadership family will inspire and support you.

  • Gonzalo Bravo in a suit and tie.

    Gonzalo Bravo

    Professional highlights:

    • Visiting Scholar, Center for Latin American Studies, University of Pittsburgh, 2014-2017
    • Visiting Scholar, Research Center for Sport, Leisure, and Society, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil, 2016
    • Leadership Institute Fellow, American Kinesiology Association (AKA), 2020
    • Board of Directors, American Kinesiology Association (AKA), 2022-2025
    • Outstanding Long-Form Scholarship, Â鶹¹ÙÍø Office of the Provost, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023
  • Photo of smiling man with glasses and a beard. He's wearing a light-colored shirt, dark tie and dark suit jacket.

    Sean Bulger

    Professional highlights:

    • Received the 2016 Ray O. Duncan Award from the state HPERD association for outstanding service and leadership.
    • Co-authored more than 70 books, chapters, and journal articles on physical activity promotion and best teaching practices.
    • Collaborated on over $6 million in external funding to support physical activity in school, community, and family settings.
    • Delivered over 130 presentations at state, regional, and national conferences/conventions.

  • Ashley Coker-Cranney

    Professional highlights:

    • Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
    • Licensed Professional Counselor, West Virginia Board of Examiners for Counseling
  • Professional studio portrait of Patrick Hairston. He is smiling and wearing a dark suit jacket, white shirt and striped tie.

    Patrick O. Hairston

    Professional highlights:

    • East Jefferson YMCA, Metairie, LA: Board of Governors Member – Board Chair
    • NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) Selection Committee Member
    • Williamson (WV) High School Athletic Hall of Fame Member
  • Environmental portrait of Gary Lhotsky. He is smiling and wearing a dark blue polo shirt.

    Gary J. Lhotsky

    Professional highlights:

    • 11 years of professional experience in collegiate athletic facility and event management at Florida State University, Florida International University and the University of Miami.
    • Extensive experience planning and hosting NCAA, ACC, Big East, TAAC and FHSA championships.
  • Smiling man wearing a black Nike jacket.

    Peter McGahey

    Professional highlights:

    • Former NCAA Division I and II Women’s Head Coach
    • United States Soccer Federation A Licensed Coach
    • United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) – Nominating Committee
  • Smiling woman standing in Stewart Hall. She has long dark hair and wears a black suit jacket.

    Dana Voelker

    Professional highlights:

    • Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
    • Steelcase Education Active Learning Center Grant, 2019
    • Â鶹¹ÙÍø Foundation Award for Outstanding Teachers, 2018
    • Association for Applied Sport Psychology Dorothy V. Harris Memorial Award, 2018
  • James Wyant

    James Wyant

    Professional highlights:

    • Â鶹¹ÙÍø Teacher of the Year Award, and CPASS award for excellence in teaching for the 2018-2019 academic year.
    • WV Department of Education Teacher Credentials: Physical Education PreK-Adult, Health Education grades 5-12.
    • Coordinator of the physical education teacher education student teaching capstone experience.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to Â鶹¹ÙÍø's Sport Leadership major, first-time freshmen must meet Â鶹¹ÙÍø's . Interested in transferring? Review the .

Tuition and Aid

How much does Sport Leadership at Â鶹¹ÙÍø cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Sport Leadership major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to Â鶹¹ÙÍø.

Review the to see if your institution is listed.

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