one student spots another student as she lifts a barbell

sport management

program overview

program overview

don’t just stand on the sidelines — drive for success with a degree in sport management. prepare for a career on the business side of the athletics and fitness industry. with its three major league teams and four division i ncaa schools, nashville is the perfect city for you to score shadowing experience, internships and jobs. 

study in a program that provides you with a comprehensive business education and the added exercise science knowledge to elevate your expertise. hone skills and gain experience in the business, management and marketing aspects of the athletics and fitness industries. 

our unique degree is unlike anything you’ll find in middle tennessee. once you’ve learned all you can from our experienced and innovative faculty, go on to pursue an mba or head straight into the workforce — you’ll be a strong candidate for whatever path you choose.

courses

courses

20:1

student to faculty ratio

job placement

with a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

expert faculty, small class sizes

learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. we lead an approachable community within our respective programs. our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

nashville, tn

a big city. an even bigger opportunity. we consider nashville, tennessee, an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

our faculty

  • matthew ruiz headshot

    matthew ruiz

    department chair - kinesiology

    professional expertise in sport, exercise and performance psychology.

    meet matthew ruiz
  • randy bostic headshot

    randy bostic

    assistant professor

    randy is founder of bostic law, pllc. a firm that helps protects assets for families and small business. randy focuses his practice on estate planning through wills, trusts, and probate,...

    meet randy bostic
  • rebecca claypool headshot

    rebecca claypool

    assistant professor

    dr. rebecca claypool brings more than twenty years of interdisciplinary industry experience in recreation, fitness, and health professions to her role as a faculty member at 世界杯2022预选赛录像回放 . her professional...

    meet rebecca claypool
  • zach droll headshot

    zachary forest droll

    assistant professor

    zach is from peru, indiana. he has a wife of six years and is a new father to his first daughter. he met his wife of six years at huntington...

    meet zachary forest droll
  • kent johnson headshot

    kent johnson

    professor, exercise science program director

    cofounder of exns program long-tenured lipscomb faculty member in exercise physiology, leads the cardiovascular laboratory, and is a fellow in the acsm.

    meet kent johnson
  • laurel littlefield headshot

    laurel littlefield

    associate professor

    laurel and her husband brad are originally from west texas, and moved to nashville with their three sons in 2018. laurel and brad met while attending lubbock christian university (lcu)...

    meet laurel littlefield
  • andrew mauldin headshot

    andrew mauldin

    assistant professor

    andrew was born in northeast ohio and has lived in many states over his lifetime. andrew attended harding university where he received his b.a. in kinesiology. after graduating from harding...

    meet andrew mauldin

career paths

recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary

teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

coaches and scouts

coaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. scouts look for new players and evaluate their skills and likelihood for success at the college, amateur, or professional level. many coaches also are involved in scouting.

recreation workers

recreation workers design and lead activities to help people stay active, improve fitness, and have fun. they work with groups in summer camps, fitness and recreational sports centers, nursing care facilities, nature parks, and other settings. they may lead such activities as arts and crafts, sports, music, dramatics, or games.

related programs

one student takes the blood pressure of another student

fitness and sport studies

a professor stands before her class as she talks about a swot analysis

marketing

two students read through their textbook titled "the social entrepreneur's playbook"

entrepreneurship