Last Updated on April 6, 2023

Interview with Robyn Lubisco

Sports Degrees Online had the opportunity to interview Fairleigh Dickinson University Professor Robyn Lubisco, PhD. about a variety of topics. In the interview, Dr. Lubisco shares thoughts on some of the lessons she learned working in sports, law and risk management in sport, and why New Jersey might be an excellent place to pursue a degree and a career related to sport.

About Robyn Lubisco

Dr. Robyn Lubisco is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) in the International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management. She holds a PhD in Physical Education, Sports, and Exercise Science from the University of New Mexico. Prior to her career in academia, Dr Lubisco worked in collegiate athletics at Yale and Fairfield University.

Interview

Dr. Lubisco, prior to your career in academia you worked in both high school and collegiate athletics, including at some big D-1 schools. Can you talk about some of the life skills that you have taken away from your time working in athletics, and how that expertise has made you a better professor of sport management?

Robyn Lubisco, PhD: I instill what I have taken away from the sport industry to students. Being a good communicator is key. Proofread your work, emails, etc., and make sure you are effectively expressing your thoughts. Speak clearly and directly (head up), make eye contact. Be organized. Buy a day planner or use an app. Listen to others around you and learn. You can work in an area of sport for over ten years and still not know everything. Ask questions. If you are unsure or just don’t know, ask someone. Have empathy. Recognize that someone might be having a bad day. Ask them how they are feeling or how you can help. I hope what I am projecting in the classroom and gained from the sport industry has made me a better professor and more importantly, person.

“Being a good communicator is key. Proofread your work, emails, etc., and make sure you are effectively expressing your thoughts. Speak clearly and directly (head up), make eye contact. Be organized. Buy a day planner or use an app. Listen to others around you and learn.”

Professor, your interests within the field of Sport Management include risk assessment and law in sport. Can you take a moment to explain what this looks like in the sports industry, and why students should consider taking courses in this area?

Robyn Lubisco, PhD: Laws affect the way we view, participate, and organize sport. Laws cover professional, amateur and youth sports. There is a wide variety of laws including but not limited to Title IX, personal injury, contract, trademark, competition (Antitrust), human rights (federal disability discrimination), etc. It is important for students to study sport law to help develop contract negotiation, business planning, and transactional skills. In my opinion, understanding current laws helps us recognize issues that can emerge in a sport setting. Knowledge of policies, regulations, and rules [helps] develop better and stronger governance.

“It is important for students to study sport law to help develop contract negotiation, business planning, and transactional skills. In my opinion, understanding current laws helps us recognize issues that can emerge in a sport setting. Knowledge of policies, regulations, and rules [helps] develop better and stronger governance.”

Like sport law, risk assessment covers an array of areas within a sport setting. It goes far beyond keeping athletes, participants, and fans safe. Risk assessment also means managing financial and human resources wisely, governing effectively, making sound decisions, and projecting a positive image toward sponsors, stakeholders, and the community. Those that can recognize and reduce risk, decrease the potential for a lawsuit thus saving the sport organization from litigation and possible financial loss.

You have earned your Doctorate degree, worked in sports, and now taught at the highest level in New Jersey. With such a long history in the state, why do you think New Jersey is a good place to earn a sport-related education?

Robyn Lubisco, PhD: New Jersey offers an abundance of sport employment options; we live in a sport mecca. New Jersey alone has six major league teams, a dozen or so semi-pro and minor league teams, an array of collegiate athletic departments DI, DII, and DIII, high school athletics, recreation, and private facility opportunities. We have horse racing, sports betting, Special Olympics, the USA Equestrian Team Foundation, and USA Golf Association all located in NJ. Moreover, with NJ Transit, students can access teams, league offices, and network (TV and radio) sport opportunities in New York. South Jersey students have access to sport opportunities in the Philadelphia area too.

“New Jersey offers an abundance of sport employment options; we live in a sport mecca.”

What can you say about the sports economy in New Jersey? What are some of the major employers in the sports industry there, and would you recommend it as a destination for a job or an internship?

Robyn Lubisco, PhD: Overall, the sports economy in NJ is strong. The biggest sport industry in NJ is sport betting. Last year, NJ handled $10.9 billion in bets and saw a revenue of $816 million. I have seen an uptick of students applying for jobs at FanDual, BetMGM, Draft Kings, etc. New Jersey is home to 66 institutions of higher education who have sport or recreation programs. There are 565 municipalities that have recreation programs. As I mentioned previously, six major league teams, a dozen or so semi-pro and minor league teams. With 21.8% of the population under the age of 18, we have hundreds of private sport facilities and camps in NJ. There are plenty of opportunities to obtain sport internships and employment in NJ.

“Overall, the sports economy in NJ is strong. The biggest sport industry in NJ is sport betting. Last year, NJ handled $10.9 billion in bets and saw a revenue of $816 million. I have seen an uptick of students applying for jobs at FanDual, BetMGM, Draft Kings, etc. New Jersey is home to 66 institutions of higher education who have sport or recreation programs.”

Be sure to visit our Guide for Sport Management Programs in New Jersey for more information about opportunities in New Jersey.