Program Information
David Shonk, Director
Phone: (540) 568-7885
Email: shonkdj@jmu.edu
Location: Godwin Hall, Room 361
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/hartschool
Professors
D. Shonk, J. Wallace-Carr, S. West
Associate Professors
B. Carr
Assistant Professors
A. Hallmon, J. Hong, S. Manjunath
Senior Lecturers
A. Bosley
Lecturers
G. deBrun, A. Hayslett, B. Swartz
Mission
The mission of the sport and recreation program is to develop a community of learners through quality education that integrates theory, practice, and personal growth in the hospitality, sport and recreation industries.
We are dedicated to the development of future leaders in sport and management professions through a course of study that maximizes the potential of individuals and society.
Sport and recreation management is committed to providing:
- An outstanding undergraduate program based on the criteria of relevant professional associations, which will enable graduates to be successful in their professional endeavors.
- A program that builds upon the strong liberal studies background provided through General Education.
- The opportunities that challenge students to think critically, to use technology and to appreciate the global community.
- The research and development projects that push back the boundaries of knowledge and promote effective practice in sport and recreation management.
Career Opportunities
Graduates with this degree will be employed in professional sport organizations, semi-professional sport organizations, collegiate athletics, sport marketing agencies, sport broadcasting venues, facility management in both sport and recreation, community recreation agencies, commercial recreation agencies, theme parks, military recreation as well as hotels, resorts and other hospitality and entertainment venues.
Careers in sport and recreation management are plentiful. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
- Fitness/Health Club Manager
- Sportscaster
- Aerobics Instructor
- Sports Agent
- General Manager
- Athletic Coach
- Athletic Director
- Sports Event Coordinator
- Media Relations Specialist
- Sports Information Specialist
- YMCA Youth Leader
- Recreation Professional
- Sports Marketing Specialist
- Community Center Director
- Corporate Fitness Leader
- Director of Stadium Operations
- Director of Ticket Operations
- Professional Sports Scout
- Promotion Director
- Youth Programs Director
- Campus Recreation Director
- Athletic Contract Manager
- Sports Camp Director
Co-Curricular Activities
In order to enhance the educational, experiential, networking and professional opportunities for our students, sport and recreation management (SRM) offers and encourages involvement in a wide variety of co-curricular activities and SRM-related conferences and organizations. Co-curricular activities also include required practicum and internship experiences for which academic credit is given. Below is a list of SRMs most prominent activities:
Conferences and Events
- Sports Events Marketing Experience (SEME)
- Sports Industry Networking and Career Conference (SINC)
- MIT Sloan Analytics Conference
- National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Expo
- National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) National Conference
- Association of Outdoor Recreation Education Annual Conference
Professional Organizations
- National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)
- National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)
- North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)
- North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS)
- Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
- Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE; formerly American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance)
- Sport Marketing Association (SMA)
JMU Clubs and Organizations
- Phi Epsilon Kappa
- Sigma Rho Mu
- SRM Major’s Club (SLAM)
- Women in Sport and Recreation Management
- Sports Clubs
Practicums and Internships
SRM requires its students to complete a practicum and an internship. Both count as academic credit hours. These are opportunities for the student to gain valuable experience by working in his/her field of choice in a sport or recreation-related agency. The opportunities are almost endless.
While enrolled in SRM 482 , students may only take one additional course (three or four credit hours). The additional course must be approved in advance by the site supervisor and the director of SRM.
Declaring or Changing Major into Sport and Recreation Management
If you are a current JMU student wishing to declare or change a major you must complete a request through MyMadison. After you complete the request for changing majors into Sport and Recreation Management, you are required to contact a member of the Hart School Advisory Team (Donna Garber, garberdv@jmu.edu; Jason Gochenour, gochenjl@jmu.edu) to complete the declaration process. Contact Donna if your last name starts with A-M; and Jason if your last name starts with N-Z. Visit https://www.jmu.edu/hartschool/caps/advising/index.shtml to schedule an appointment with either Donna or Jason.
The SRM major within the Hart School has cutoff dates. Students are only admitted twice a year, October 1 and March 1. Any student wishing to take Hart School courses in the spring semester or any summer term session would be required to contact the Hart School advisory team and declare the change of major on or before October 1. Any student wishing to take Hart School courses in the Fall semester would be required to contact the Hart School advisory team and declare the change of major on or before March1.
