Southeastern sport management program listed as No. 5 in nation
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – The sport management program at Southeastern Louisiana University was named
No. 5 among the 50 Most Affordable Urban Schools for the profession in 2015.
SMG, an international sport marketing and venue management corporation, created
the listing based on a review of 158 U.S. institutions that offer four-year bachelor’s
degrees in sport and/or fitness administration/management and located in an urban
or city setting.
Criteria for the selection included internship opportunities, such as professional
football, basketball or baseball teams and other opportunities, and net price for
attending the institution. Southeastern was cited for its proximity to New Orleans
and its robust internship opportunities, as well as the employment of its graduates
in a variety of sport and recreational settings.
“We are honored to receive this recognition for offering a strong program that
provides a variety of real-world ready opportunities for students in our growing sport
management academic program,” said Eddie Hebert, head of the Department of Kinesiology
and Health Studies.
Hebert said Southeastern in 2008 was the first university in Louisiana to offer
a program in sport management and currently has 100 students pursuing the degree.
Southeastern is the only program from Louisiana included in the listing.
The degree, he said, combines foundational coursework in business areas, such
as accounting, marketing and management, with kinesiology. “The focus is to apply
business principles in the sport, recreation and fitness industry,” he said.
“We are in a geographical location that’s ideal for a student looking to go into
the field,” he said. “Located close to New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Southeastern has
been able to develop partnerships with organizations such as the New Orleans Saints,
the Pelicans and the New Orleans Sports Foundation, all of which have given our students
opportunities to learn from professionals in the field.”
Likewise, he said, Baton Rouge offers a variety of recreational and sport businesses
where students can gain valuable experience, including the BR Recreation Department,
youth and adult soccer leagues, fitness centers and other opportunities.
Other partnerships have been developed with the Louisiana High School Athletic
Association, Louisiana Special Olympics, the Mandeville Sports Complex, New Orleans
Superdome and Smoothie King Arena and the Sun Belt Conference Headquarters.
