Excellence and positive impact through sport

Sport Management (SPM)

We focus on understanding the range of factors that lead individuals, families and industry to value and benefit from sports, and how to apply this knowledge to improve quality of life.

Student Resources

Choose Your SPM Degree

Blending your passion for athletics, health and business with innovation.

The sports industry is always changing, so it needs highly trained professionals to meet the ever-changing economic and lifestyle growth patterns in tomorrow’s marketplace. With more and more people getting into both playing and watching sports, the sport management discipline grows increasingly complex. Successful organizations in the sports industry constantly search for leaders with specialized training.

The University of Florida Department of Sport Management commits to excellence and impact through innovative, socially impactful research, the preparation and training of future industry and academic professionals, engaging with the community and being stewards of the future.

UF SPM graduates pursue a range of careers in professional sport franchises, intercollegiate athletic departments, sports media industries, sporting goods merchandising and many other options.

Choose from SPM certificate and degree options including bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. programs.

Degree Programs

Degree Programs

For-Credit Certificates

For-Credit Certificates

Non-Credit Certificates

Non-Credit Certificates

Graduate ProgramsResources for prospective graduate students FacultyGet to know your instructors Industry Advisory BoardAbout the SPM advisory board members

Institute for Coaching Excellence

We promote holistic and sustainable athlete development and success through athlete-centered coaching environments on and off the field of play, and in life after sports.

About the Institute

i-Rise Initiative

The purpose of Innovative Research Initiatives in Sport Events is to increase the impact of sport event research for mega and small-scale sport events through dissemination and strategic alliances in the State of Florida, the USA and globally.

About Our Research

Meet Our Faculty

Faculty Member Brian D. Avery

Brian D. Avery

Senior Lecturer

Faculty Member Yonghwan Chang, Ph.D.

Yonghwan Chang, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Faculty Member Dan Connaughton, Ed.D.

Dan Connaughton, Ed.D.

Professor

Faculty Member Jessica Francis, Ed.D.

Jessica Francis, Ed.D.

Instructional Assistant Professor, Internship Coordinator, Director of Engaged Learning & Outreach

Faculty Member Molly Harry, Ph.D.

Molly Harry, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Jasamine Hill, Ph.D.

Jasamine Hill, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Gidon Jakar, Ph.D.

Gidon Jakar, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Kyriaki Kaplanidou, Ph.D.

Kyriaki Kaplanidou, Ph.D.

Chair, Professor

Faculty Member Yong Jae Ko, Ph.D.

Yong Jae Ko, Ph.D.

Professor

Faculty Member David Lucier, Ph.D.

David Lucier, Ph.D.

Instructional Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Shelley Lyle

Shelley Lyle

Adjunct Lecturer, Director of Engaged Learning and Outreach for Graduate Programs

Faculty Member Christopher McLeod, Ph.D.

Christopher McLeod, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator

Faculty Member Scott Nestler, Ph.D.

Scott Nestler, Ph.D.

Professor of Practice

Faculty Member Emily Plunkett, Ph.D.

Emily Plunkett, Ph.D.

Instructional Assistant Professor, Undergraduate Coordinator

Faculty Member Alyssa Tavormina, Ph.D.

Alyssa Tavormina, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor, Director of the Online Sport Management Program

Faculty Member Christine Wegner, Ph.D.

Christine Wegner, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor, Director of the Institute for Coaching Excellence

Faculty Member Cynthia Willming, Ph.D.

Cynthia Willming, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor

SPM News

Kiki Kaplanidou announced as SPM Chair

Kyriaki “Kiki” Kaplanidou, Ph.D., professor in the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Department of Sport Management, has been announced as chair of the Department of Sport Management. Beginning July 1, Kaplanidou will lead the department to even greater academic excellence and industry influence.

More About This Appointment

One AI-based advancement at a time

As emerging technologies like AI reshape sport industries and professional demands evolve, it is essential for students to graduate with the expertise to thrive in their future careers. To ensure that these students are set up for success, the UF College of Health & Human Performance has launched a new sports analytics program.

Explore This New SPM Program

Debate over college athletes’ right to profit from their name, image, likeness

The debate over college athletes’ right to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) continues to fuel a nationwide debate. However, little research has been done about the messaging from these hearings. HHP researcher Molly Harry, Ph.D., is getting to the bottom of it.

More About Dr. Harry’s Work

Contact SPM

University of Florida Department of Sport Management
Phone: (352) 392–4042
Fax: (352) 392–7588

Email
Undergraduate Inquiries: SPMundergrad@hhp.ufl.edu
Graduate Inquiries: SPMgrad@hhp.ufl.edu

Mailing Address
PO Box 118208
Gainesville, FL, 32611