Last Updated on March 31, 2023
Sport Management Degrees & Sport Management Jobs in Indiana
Indiana is famous for basketball, but the state has much more to offer. The state is home to a number of professional and semi-professional teams, as well as different organizations, agencies, and commissions, making Indiana a great place to start or advance your career in sports.
In This Guide
Sport Management Degrees in Indiana
Indiana’s colleges and universities offer world-class sport management and administration programs. Begin your search here with our comprehensive list of degree programs in the Hoosier State.
In this section:
Sport Management Master’s Programs
Sport Management Bachelors’s Programs
Sport Management Master’s Programs
Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN
Masters in Sports Management
Indiana State University | Terre Haute, IN
Masters in Sports Management
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 33 Credit Hours
Local Tuition (per Credit Hour): $554
The University of Dubuque boasts a robust network of local sports organizations and industry professionals, allowing students to forge valuable connections and secure internships and job placements. Complementing this strong network is their Master’s degree program in Sport Management, offering students a comprehensive curriculum covering a range of crucial topics. From sport marketing to event planning and facility management, their program equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the world of sports management.
Indiana University | Bloomington, IN
Master of Science in Athletic Administration and Sports Management
Indiana University | Bloomington, IN
Master of Science in Athletic Administration and Sports Management
Delivery Method: On Campus
Credits Required: 36 Credit Hours
Total Tuition: $37,600 per year
Gain a clear advantage in the highly competitive world of sports with Indiana University’s athletic administration and sport management program. Whether you aspire to be a sport communicator, marketer, administrator, or manager, their program will equip you with the specialized skills needed to thrive in the $510 billion sport industry. Develop a combination of functional business and sport management skills to produce, facilitate, promote, and organize sports products and services. Choose from a range of core courses that cover topics such as sport communications, marketing and sponsorship, legal issues, governance in sport management, and financial analysis. Their experienced faculty will provide industry expertise and offer research opportunities. While an internship is not required, you may choose to gain valuable professional experience during your studies. Prepare for a rewarding career in commercial or collegiate sports with Indiana University’s athletic administration and sport management program.
UIndy | Indianapolis, IN
Master of Science in Sports Management
UIndy | Indianapolis, IN
Master of Science in Sports Management
Delivery Method: On Campus and Online
Credits Required: 33 Credit Hours
UIndy’s alumni network is renowned for its strong connections and successful individuals in the sports management field. As a student, you can benefit from this network by gaining valuable connections, mentorship, and potential career opportunities. The program at UIndy prioritizes experiential learning, providing students with the chance to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Through internships, practicums, and hands-on projects, you can gain practical experience and develop crucial skills necessary for success in the sports management field. Consider UIndy’s Master’s degree program in Sport Management for a comprehensive and practical education.
Sport Management Bachelor’s Programs
Grace College & Seminary. | Winona Lake, IN
Sports Management Major
Grace College & Seminary. | Winona Lake, IN
Sports Management Major
Delivery Method: On Campus
Grace College & Seminary’s Sport Management degree program focuses on connecting athletic programming with business competence. By integrating sports management and marketing, students gain a holistic understanding of the field and acquire skills for sports-related careers. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through internships and real-world experiences. Students gain practical insights, build their network, and enhance employability. The curriculum teaches solid business fundamentals like economics, marketing, and communication. Graduates have a well-rounded skill set for various sports industry roles. Faith and service are integrated into the curriculum, preparing students to make a positive impact while staying true to their values. Degree options include Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management, minors, Sport Marketing, or Sport Ministry. Tailor your education to align with your interests and career goals.
UIndy | Indianapolis, IN
Sport Management
UIndy | Indianapolis, IN
Sport Management
Delivery Method: On Campus
Total Tuition: $31,972 per year
UIndy’s Commission on Sport Management accredited program offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for a successful career in the sports industry. Through a combination of coursework and hands-on experiences, students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in this competitive field. With over 95 sport organizations in close proximity, students have ample opportunities to build their resumes, network, and gain real-world experience through applied projects, job shadowing, volunteering at national championships, and completing two internships. Their program ensures that students graduate well-prepared and ready to jumpstart their careers in sports.
Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN
Sport Management
Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN
Sport Management
Delivery Method: On Campus
Credits Required: 120
Total Tuition: $45,136
Valparaiso University’s Sport Management program stands out with an impressive 97% job placement rate in recent years, a clear testament to the program’s exceptional quality. Situated between the major cities of Chicago and Indianapolis, the program capitalizes on its prime location by offering outstanding experiential learning prospects. Moreover, all sport management students at Valparaiso University gain a valuable minor in business administration, highlighting the program’s strong emphasis on cultivating a solid business foundation.
The Sports Industry in Indiana
Indiana, also known as the Hoosier State, has a wide array of sport-related opportunities. There are professional sports teams, agencies, and very interesting organizations. One example is the Indiana Sports Corp which is the nation’s first sports commission which works to organize major sporting events in the state to create a positive economic and social impact for the people of Indiana. Since its inception, there have been many other commissions and organizations established, and many are headquartered in Indiana.
There has been a push from civic leaders since the 1970’s to grow Indianapolis into a prosperous city which has a healthy and diverse economy, and using sports as a tool to drive in tourists and infuse the economy with their dollars. These efforts led to the building of the Hoosier Dome (now the RCA Dome), as well as the courting of the NCAA, which now has their national headquarters in Indianapolis and added on the NCAA Hall of Champions which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The city now hosts major events and championships, like Super Bowls, Big Ten Championships, NCAA Championships, FInal Four Games, Olympic Qualifiers, and the CFP National Championship Game is to be hosted in Indianapolis in 2022, and the NBA all-star game in 2024, on top of the famous Indianapolis 500.
Central Indiana relies very heavily on the sports industry to drive business and the economy of different sectors like tourism and hospitality. According to a study by the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, “…the sport economy in Indianapolis is large. Nearly 10,000 jobs are directly in the sports sector. Further, nearly 10,000 coaches and almost double that in other volunteers can be found spending their valuable time on organized sport. Sports generate over $3.3 billion annually in revenue in the region”
While the largest, or marquee organizations include the Pacers, Colts, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway brings in visitors and stimulates the economy, there is much more to the sports economy besides these major organizations. With such an active population, and the large amount of sports leagues and organizations, “…the $3.3 billion in revenues directly accruing to sports organizations and activities accounts for 2.7% of the Indianapolis metro area’s economy. Both in raw terms and as a share, this exceeds the size of the sports economy in recent studies for other cities like Charlotte, NC and San Diego, CA.”
Sports Management Opportunities in Indiana
Indianapolis has had the reputation of being the motorsports capital of the world and has recently gained attention for its growing popularity of amateur sports. Civic leaders in Indianapolis recognize sports as a crucial element contributing to the growth of Indianapolis as a city in terms of both culture and economics.
Indiana has opportunities across many sports and touches on different sectors of the sports economy. Some of the most notable sports programs, like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Indiana Pacers, call Indianapolis home. Not only that, but the highest-capacity sports venue in the world is in Indiana; Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
While there are well-known sports brands that have come out of Indiana, there is also a large number of smaller leagues and job opportunities for people in the field of sport management. According to the IUPUI study, “One in eight Indianapolis adults participate in or attend some sports activity and 7.3% of residents actively play or participate in sports each day.” And with more than 2 million people participating in sports (whether they are part of global franchises or individual sports), there is a lot of opportunities to break into this market.
We asked Dr. Jennifer VanSickle, who is the Program Director of Sport Management at UIndy, about the opportunities for students in Indiana and she shared the following:
“I think Indiana offers students’ opportunities in every aspect of the sports industry, with the opportunity to learn from, network with, and gain experience without having to leave the state.”
Dr. Jennifer VanSickle, UIndy
Dr. Jamie Stangel, Sport Management Director at Valparaiso University, thinks that the northern part of the state is particularly well suited for sport management students,
“It’s funny, I just saw a post on LinkedIn ranking the 50 best cities for sports professionals in the United States. Chicago was ranked #9 and Indianapolis was ranked #11. Where Valparaiso, IN is located, students are about 50 miles from Chicago and 150 from Indianapolis. Those are both great sports cities with lots of opportunities with professional franchises, collegiate athletic departments, and the NCAA among other unique organizations.”
Dr. Jamie Stangel, Valparaiso University
Media, Marketing, Athlete Representation, and the Business of Sports in Indiana
Indiana is home to a number of sports agencies and athlete representation firms like Exclusive Sports Group, CSM Sport & Entertainment, and Capture Sports Agency. The 2021 Supreme Court decision to allow student-athletes to earn compensation on their name, image, and likeness, will certainly bring in more opportunities to firms representing athletes as their pool of clients just got a lot bigger. Interestingly enough, the Student-Athlete Level Playing Field Act was co-sponsored by Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, who was a first-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts.
One of the most well-known agents to come out of Indiana was Eugene Parker, who represented Deion Sanders and Emmitt Smith (among other star athletes). Parker was recognized by Black Enterprise Magazine and Sports Illustrated as one of the most influential minorities in sports.
There are various colleges and universities throughout the state that offer sport management and marketing degrees at the Bachelor and Graduate levels, and the state is ripe with opportunities at the professional, semi-professional, collegiate, and municipal levels.
Outdoor Education in Indiana
Indiana’s state government and the Department of Environmental Management are dedicated to supporting outdoor and environmental education initiatives. The Environmental Education Association of Indiana (EEAI) also promotes outdoor learning opportunities. They host workshops for teachers and support students with the chapter programs and host competitive events like the Envirothon where teams of five compete against each other by answering questions related to environmental policies and resource problems.
Sports Organizations in Indiana
Indiana has a long and rich history of sports teams across major sports. There are major markets like Indianapolis, and smaller markets like Fort Wayne, Evansville, Bloomington, and Gary that boast smaller teams which could be a great place to work.
Indiana Baseball Teams
While there are no MLB teams in Indiana, it is home to a number of semi-pro teams and has a rich history. Ft. Wayne was the site of the first MLB game between the Cleveland Forest Cities and the Ft. Wayne Kekiongas on May 4, 1871, and the tradition of singing “Take me out to the B
While there are no MLB teams in Indiana, it is home to a number of semi-pro teams and has a rich history. Ft. Wayne was the site of the first MLB game between the Cleveland Forest Cities and the Ft. Wayne Kekiongas on May 4, 1871, and the tradition of singing “Take me out to the Ballgame” started in Indiana. Currently, there are over 500 baseball teams in Indiana including amateur and collegiate teams.
Teams:
High-A Central: Fort Wayne TinCaps
American Association: Gary SouthShore RailCatsTriple-A East: Indianapolis Indians
Indiana Basketball Teams
It is said that high school basketball was born in Indiana, and it has maintained a powerful image of the center of basketball in American and pop culture, famously portrayed in Hoosiers with Gene Hackman. For a long time, Indiana was producing the most NBA players per capita than any other state- including the legendary Larry Bird.
Teams:
National Basketball Association: Indiana Pacers
NBA G League: Fort Wayne Mad AntsWomen’s National Basketball Associations: Indiana Fever
Indiana Football Teams
Football is huge at the professional and collegiate levels. With teams like Notre Dame. Notre Dame famously disrupted the landscape of the college sports conference system, as they declared themselves independent of major sports conferences (although there is an agreement for them to play 5 ACC games per season). At the professional level, the Indianapolis Colts have a dedicated following as well as a track record of success.
National Football League: Indianapolis Colts
Indiana Hockey Teams
Ice Hockey is getting more popular in Indiana. The Notre Dame men’s team has had recent success. They made it to the National Championship in 2019, and also boast a beautiful 2-rink arena, The Compton Family Ice Arena. The ECHL and the Southern Professional Hockey have several teams in the state.
East Coast Hockey League: Indy Fuel, Fort Wayne Komets, Southern Professional Hockey League: Evansville Thunderbolts
Indiana Soccer Teams
Like many places around the U.S., soccer is growing in popularity in Indiana. The Chicago Fire’s official youth team, the Indiana Fire Juniors is a successful development program headquartered in Westfield Indiana. There are a number of professional teams in different leagues, and we expect to add more to the list in the coming years.
USL Championship: Indy Eleven
National Premier Soccer League: FC Indiana
Women’s Premier Soccer League: FC Indiana
National Sports Organizations Based in Indiana
There are a number of national organizations which are headquartered in Indiana. Below is a list of the larger organizations.
- USA Diving
- USA Track & Field
- USA Football
- USA Gymnastics
- National Federation of High School Associations
- NCAA
For all of these reasons, and more, Indiana is certainly a state to consider starting or continuing a career in sports.