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Being Part of Meehan School Has Unique Benefits

Stonehill’s sports management degree provides students a broad knowledge base designed to help them hone skills tied to a range of functions in this fast-growing industry.

“We focus on sports analytics, a growing segment of the field,” said Professor Lauren Hindman, chair of the Sports Management Department. “We also help students understand the overall management process and realize what it takes to make live sporting events happen. Lastly, we want to help them explore topics related to ethical leadership, with a particular focus on sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Stonehill’s sports management major, one of eight majors offered by the Leo J. Meehan School of Business, is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. Interestingly, only a third of all sports management programs are housed in business schools. Of those, only a small number offer AACSB-accredited courses.

Hindman believes students will benefit greatly from the program’s unique association with the Meehan School.

“They are prepared for jobs in sports but are also prepared if they later decide to make a career pivot,” she said. “They will be qualified to get jobs at many other organizations because they have that business background.”

Faculty Who Have Worked in the Field

Sports management students stand to gain not only from their major’s business ties, but also from opportunities to collaborate with experienced professionals like Hindman. Prior to joining the Stonehill community, the faculty member served as senior director of marketing for the Texas Stars, an Austin-based team in the American Hockey League.

Leveraging her industry connections, Hindman has invited several impressive speakers to campus for different functions. In fall 2022, for instance, she organized a screening of Let Noor Run, an ESPN documentary. The event included a discussion with director Shayla Harris and film subject Noor Alexandria Abukaram and covered the latter’s work combating discriminatory policies affecting her athletic participation.

Matthew Butler ’24, a sports management major from Canton, Massachusetts, has appreciated Hindman’s efforts to provide students with access to programs like this.

“I recently went with her and some classmates to a panel at Fenway Park,” he said. “A couple of members of the Red Sox organization talked about their work on the team’s social media channels. A general manager also spoke about finances. Hearing from people in the field is so useful because it helps us narrow down what we might want to focus on in the future.”

The careers available to sports management majors after they graduate are wide-ranging, including roles in:

• Athletic administration
• Event management
• Public relations
• Sales
• Broadcasting
• Marketing

“The College also has a longstanding relationship with the Boston Celtics. Through our popular externship program, students visit the team each year. They connect with alumni working for the organization and explore the potential for internships and jobs,” said Christina Burney, executive director of student success.

Hindman notes that students are well-positioned to attain roles at major sports teams in part because of Stonehill’s proximity to markets like Boston and Providence. The College’s campus is located approximately 30 miles from both places.

“Being so close to these cities offers students the chance to really excel once their time at Stonehill comes to an end,” she said. “I’m excited that we are helping tomorrow’s industry leaders create opportunities for themselves.”