A new program at Humber College hopes to prove there’s more than one way to make a career in sport.
Humber’s three-year advanced diploma program in sport management, starting in September, will let students turn their love for sport into a career managing the business behind it.
Program co-ordinator and Humber professor Rick Simone says that while the school has always offered a strong recreation and leisure program, the new sport management diploma is a good fit for students looking to take advantage of the continuing strength of the sports industry.
“The sport industry is extremely healthy despite the economic downturn, and people are seeing they can turn their love for the sports scene into a viable career, so that sparked our interest in offering something like this,” Simone said.
All skills related to the management of sport will be examined, such as the structure of sports organizations and the sociology of sport as well as its business side, including sponsorship, leadership and sport tourism.
“Students are going to get a real thorough understanding of what the Canadian sport industry looks like and how sport operates here, but beyond that, they’re going to learn strong business skills they can apply in other arenas of their life,” Simone said.
The program includes three separate work placements or internships that will alternate between professional sports associations, community and amateur sports bodies, and private sector sports organizations. Students will receive a dual qualification in recreation and leisure services and sport management upon completion.
Humber has partnered with some big names in sports throughout the GTA, including Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment and Tennis Canada, proof the school is taking pains to make sure the program is cutting-edge and relevant to students’ needs. Interest has so far been stronger than anticipated.
“The interest and response has been extremely strong. The original forecast of the program was for an intake of 50 students, but we may expand well beyond that based on the number of applications coming in,” Simone said.
The popularity of the program is no surprise, Simone says, because it mimics the ubiquitous nature of sports in society.
“Sport has a significant impact on people in our society — it connects people in the community because it’s one of those things we can all connect with, whether we participate or enjoy as spectators. When people understand that it’s a business, they can relate to the idea that we need good leaders to manage it,” Simone said.
For more information, visit humber.ca.
