Professional Team Positions
These careers not only include those with major league teams, but also the numerous opportunities available with minor league affiliates. Jim Rohr, speaking of his experience as assistant general manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, a Detroit Tigers baseball minor league affiliate, exclaimed, "I love it! I love all aspects of the job, but particularly the people-the fans, the players, the staffs from opposing teams..." The job includes managing sales, public relations, and marketing for the Hens, which average approximately 3,000 fans a game. "This business is difficult to get into-there is very little turnover-hut be persistent," Rohr suggested.
If you think working a minor league team lacks electricity and excitement, think again. The players play hard, the management works hard, and the fans cheer hard. Even Chicken Man makes the rounds of the parks. The following is a list of the many jobs associated with the Richmond Braves, a minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves baseball team:
The conclusion: the minor leagues are big time! The question: "How does someone obtain employment in this field?"
Currently the preferred route lies through participation in a college program in sports management. A number exist; the following typify contemporary programs. St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, became one of the first institutions to offer a Master of Science in Sports Administration. The program prepares students for careers in professional, college, and community sports business as well as careers in the management of sports facilities. Graduates have entered a variety of careers-traveling secretary, Houston Astros; athletic fund raiser. University of Houston; assistant executive director, the Orange Bowl; sports information director, University of Tulsa; assistant public relations director, Los Angeles Rams; and arena manager, Yates Field House, Georgetown University.
Courses at St. Thomas include "Seminar on ethics in sports administration," "Principles of sports administration," "Legal aspects of sports administration," "Sports financial management, "and others. A major aspect of all such programs is the internship-a chance to work in the sports industry (sometimes paid) as an apprentice. St. Thomas interns have worked for the New York Knicks, the U.S. Olympic Committee, the National Football League Office, Hialeah Race Track, Kansas City Parks and Recreation, the Nashua (New Hampshire) Pirates, and many others.
Georgia State University offers a Master of Science degree in Sports Administration. The program requires a core of courses; for example, "Sports law," "Sports marketing and promotion," "Cultural aspects of sports," "Budgeting and finance in sports and recreation," and "Governance and ethical issues in sports." In addition, students may take electives in a variety of related subjects.
Karen Hagridden typifies students in such programs. A basketball player in high school and college, she wished to continue her interest in sports. She obtained a graduate assistantship at the University of Richmond under successful basketball coach Stephanie Gaitley.
She enrolled in a masters degree program in sports management and, following course work and successful internship with the Philadelphia 76'ers NBA basketball team, she graduated. She then landed a job in sports promotions for Trump Castle and Casino, publicizing everything from boxing and professional wrestling to one on one basketball contests.
Most of today's upper level managers have their college training in management or law. For example, Stan Kastan, president to the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks, received his undergraduate degree in psychology and graduate degree in law. However, other managers have had backgrounds ranging from attending business schools to religious seminaries. Clearly, there are many paths to leadership positions. But the majority of future leaders will have a college background in sports management.
School and College Administrators
Gerry Kaplan, former athletic director (AD) at O'Neil High School in Highland Falls, N.Y., in many ways typified a successful sports administrator. He started out as a basketball coach and physical education teacher. Upon the retirement of the previous AD, he was appointed by the board of education to the position of athletic director. In addition to his teaching duties as physical educator, he coached the varsity basketball team. He taught his classes in the early part of the day, leaving the afternoon free for administrative duties-scheduling, attending meetings, coordinating intramurals, and other matters. At smaller schools, the AD may teach several classes; at larger schools, the position may command full time attention. Hiring, evaluating, and terminating coaches requires many hours in this era of expansion of high school and college interscholastic athletics. Consider also the rainy afternoon when you have to cancel baseball and softball games, a track meet, and tennis match-then call and notify the games' officials and the bus company to reschedule!
If this stands demanding, consider the athletic director at the University of Texas who lists under his jurisdiction the following areas: business office (tickets, concessions); sports information; trainers and equipment manager; coaches; athletic dining hall; and stadium supervision. The Texas AD has assistant and secretarial support; this is common at the major universities. The position varies with the size of the college. Recently, many colleges (and some high schools) have added a director or coordinator of women's athletics. And don't overlook the growing opportunities afforded by the community college.
Salaries average in the range of $25,000 to $70,000 a year according to the U.S. Department of Labor, although some AD's earn more. The salary is often for twelve months of work, as opposed to the ten month time commitment of teachers. According to the College and University Personnel Association, average salaries for athletic directors in U.S. colleges and universities range from $48,000 to more than $101,000 annually, depending on the size and type of institution. The higher figures are earned by athletic directors, at large universities with prominent sports programs.
College athletic directors' functions vary with the size of the college and the athletic program. At small (NCAA division III and NAIA division II) colleges, they function much like their high school counterparts, and at tiny colleges, they may operate only on a part time basis. However, NCAA Division I is most often big time-television contracts, game guarantees, major arenas, and stadiums, and increased pressure to win. At this level, the AD will have a staff of associates and assistants as well as business managers and publicists. Frequently working very long hours, these individuals-some with six figure salaries-attend many meetings and games; approve contracts; hire and fire; keep the peace among coaches; meet with players, fans, faculty, and alumni; and generally serve as commander in chief. At Yale University, for example, the associate athletic director performs many functions-one even involves proper and humane burial of horses! (Yale has an equestrian team.)
