Doctoral program in Sport Administration Brochure
This is a concentration of the Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development program.
Sport Management is a growing academic discipline, and our PhD is designed for those wishing to pursue a career as a college or university faculty member in Sport Management. The program has attracted students from around the world (United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Sweden, Germany) to study with the internationally recognized faculty. Our current faculty serve on multiple editorial boards, have authored or co-authored numerous sport management textbooks, and have a long history of engaging Ph.D. students in research.
While there is no typical Ph.D. student, candidates with previous work experience in the sport industry as well as a clear research focus are preferred. Sport industry experience is extremely helpful for Sport Management faculty members since our discipline is very hands-on and the students we teach will be preparing for jobs where they will be teaching future sport industry professionals.
We are proud to say that every student who graduated from our program is employed in a related academic or industry position. The job market is extremely competitive and students typically begin applying for jobs in the fall of their third year. Students who take advantage of the research, teaching, and service opportunities available to them while enrolled in the program have fared very well.
A Ph.D. program is by nature a research-oriented degree where students are actively engaged in research teams with faculty members and other doctoral students. Students will also submit proposals for presentations at national and international conferences and write for publications.
For more details about program curriculum, visit the Graduate Catalog.
Dr. Mary Hums, Professor, 502-852-5908, mary.hums@louisville.edu
Ehren R. Green
Crestview Hills, KY
Advisor: Dr. Meg Hancock
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2022
Educational Background:
B.S., Exercise Science & Wellness, Ball State University
M.S. & M.A., Sport Management & Educational Leadership Studies, West Virginia University
Teaching experience: SPAD 625 (Sport Management & Leadership)
Research Area of Interest:
The intersection of intercollegiate athletics, leadership, and organizational development. My research aims to provide organizational strategies and solutions for leaders at all levels in intercollegiate athletics.
Achyut Kulkarni
Hyderabad, India
Advisor: Dr. Evan Frederick
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021
Educational Background:
I.M.A., Economics, University of Hyderabad
M.S., Sport Business Management, Sheffield Hallam University
Teaching experience: SPAD 604 (Financial Principles of Sport), SPAD 390 (Sport Governance), HSS 114 (Fitness Walking I)
Research Area of Interest:
Measurement and evaluation of sport sponsorship and sponsorship-linked marketing.
Youngjik Lee
Yeongju, South Korea
Advisor: Dr. Mary Hums
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021
Educational Background:
B.S., Sport Management, Kookmin University, South Korea
M.A., Washington State University
Teaching experience: SPAD 490 (Senior Seminar), SPAD 382 (Sport Management), HSS 150 (Cardio Fitness)
Research Area of Interest:
Sport Policy, Student-athletes well-being
Anthony Montanaro
Rochester, New York
Advisor: Dr. Evan Frederick
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
Educational Background:
B.S., Sport Management and Data Science, Bowling Green State University
M.S., Sport Administration, University of Louisville
Teaching experience: None
Research Area of Interest:
Sport Analytics
Jessica Murfree
Atlanta, GA
Advisor: Dr. Chris Greenwell
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021
Educational Background:
B.A., Sport Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.A., Sport Management, University of Alabama
Teaching experience: SPAD 605 (Sport Facility Mangement), SPAD 561 (Special Topics: Sport and the Environment), SPAD 405 (Sport Facility Management), SPAD 402 (Internship in Sport Administration), SPAD 401 (Career Development in Sport), SPAD 281 (Principles of Sport Administration, HSS 114 (Fitness Walking I)
Research Area of Interest:
Exploring relationships between sport, climate change and events of extreme weather
Chelsea Police
Angola, IN
Advisor: Dr. Marion Hambrick
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021
Educational Background:
B.S., Actuarial Science, Ball State University
M.S., Sport Administration, University of Louisville
Teaching experience: SPAD 604 (Financial Principles of Sport), SPAD 390 (Sport Governance), HSS 114 (Fitness Walking I)
Research Area of Interest:
Exploring youth soccer participation constraints and facilitators in relation to talent development within the United States Soccer Federation.
Addison Pond
Nashville, TN
Advisor: Dr. Chris Greenwell
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021
Educational Background:
B.S., Business Administration, Christian Brothers University
M.S., Sport Management, Northern Illinois University
Teaching experience: SPAD 437 (Data and Analytics in Sport), SPAD 404 (Financial Principles of Sport), SPAD 383 (Sport Marketing), SPAD 281 (Principles of Sport Administration
Research Area of Interest:
The intersection of academics and athletics
Liza Reader
Hiram, GA
Advisor: Dr. Evan Frederick
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2021
Educational Background:
B.S., Exercise and Health Sciences, Kennesaw State University
M.S., Exercise Physiology, Strength & Conditioning Concentration, University of Louisville
Teaching experience: HSS 386 (Anatomy and Physiology I), HSS 388 (Principals of Athletic Strength & Conditioning), HSS 390 (Anatomy and Physiology II), HSS 394 (Introduction to Exercise Science), EXP 601 (Laboratory Methods in Exercise Physiology), EXP 607 (Neuromuscular Exercise Physiology), EXP 608 (Strength & Conditioning I), EXP 609 (Strength & Conditioning II)
Research Area of Interest:
Understanding of athlete motivations for strength & conditioning program participation.
Nina Siegfried
Wetzlar, Germany
Advisor: Dr. Mary Hums
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2022
Educational Background:
BBA International Business and Management Studies (IBMS); China Minor; Marketing Minor (at Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Arnhem Business School (HAN University), Arnhem, Netherlands
M.S., Sport Administration, University of Louisville
Teaching experience: SPAD 509 (International Sport), SPAD 404 (Financial Principles of Sport)
Research Area of Interest:
Main research areas focus on establishing and maintaining sport partnerships in parasports and also developing successful adaptive sports programs.
Nick Swim
St. Albans, VT
Advisor: Dr. Mary Hums
Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2022
Educational Background:
B.S., Business Management, Castleton University
M.S., Sport Management, Ball State University
Teaching experience: SPAD 561 (Special Topics: Mega Events Logistics), SPAD 402 (Internship in Sport Administration), SPAD 284 (Issues and Ethics in Sport), HSS 138 (Basketball)
Research Area of Interest:
My research focuses on gender and race issues in sport.
The job market is extremely competitive and students typically begin applying for jobs in the fall of their third year. Students who take advantage of the research, teaching, and service opportunities available to them while enrolled in the program have fared very well in obtaining faculty and administrative positions. Currently, 100% of our graduates are employed in the field.
Funding opportunities for the program are limited and highly competitive, no different than at any other institution. Funding opportunities may take the form of a GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistant) in the SPAD program, the Health and Sport Sciences Department, the College of Education and Human Development, or other academic or service units on campus. Students may also be eligible for selected University Fellowships. There may be opportunities for PhD students to be paid to teach courses in the program. Student interested in loans or other financial assistance should contact the Financial Aid office at 502-852-5511, or visit the UofL Financial Aid website.
Dr. Mary Hums - mary.hums@louisville.edu
Students come from a variety of educational backgrounds. To ensure students have sufficient mastery of the core content areas, students may be required to take graduate level courses in sport administration as part of their specialty component or elective component.
3. What is the timetable to complete a Ph.D.?Typically, it takes a full time student two (2) years to complete all of course-work in order to become eligible to take Comprehensive Exams. A dissertation typically requires 1-2 years of additional work. Students can finish the program in as little as three (3 years).
4. Are there opportunities for students to teach?Opportunities available to teach undergraduate and graduate SPAD classes. PhD students have taught undergraduate Principles of Sport Management, Sport Finance, Sport Marketing, Legal Aspects of Sport, and Sport Facility Management. On the Masters level, PhD students have taught Organizational Behavior and Research Methods courses.
5. The degree is actually a PhD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development (ELOD). What does that mean?Many sport administration or sport management programs across the country are part of larger PhD programs. At the University of Louisville, ELOD is the umbrella degree for a variety of programs. This association allows us to utilizes the resources of the Educational Leadership program while still providing a comprehensive sport administration curriculum.
6. What are the admissions review dates?October 1 and February 1. All paperwork is due before these dates to be considered for admission. Send all materials to: University of Louisville, Office of Graduate Admissions, 105 Houchens, Louisville, KY 40292.
7. How are applicants evaluated?The following questions are a key part of the evaluation process: Is the applicant likely to succeed in doctoral study? Is there evidence the applicant possesses professional expertise and promise? Does this doctoral program (and chosen concentration) appear to be a viable match for the applicant's goals?
8. What are the required application materials?For a complete description of required materials, please visit the PhD in ELOD page.
9. What sources of funding are available?Funding opportunities are limited and highly competitive, no different than at any other institution. Funding opportunities may take the form of a GTA (Graduate Teaching Assistant) in the SPAD program, the Health and Sport Sciences Department, the College of Education and Human Development, or other academic or service units on campus. Students may also be eligible for selected University Fellowships. There may be opportunities for PhD students to be paid to teach courses in the program. Student interested in loans or other financial assistance should contact the Financial Aid office at 502-852-5511, or visit the UofL Financial Aid website.