VCU’s internationally ranked Center for Sport Leadership joins School of Business
A new school year brings a new academic and professional partnership as the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business welcomes the Center for Sport Leadership to the school.
Established in 1999, the Center for Sport Leadership has grown into one of the most respected sports management graduate programs in the world. Currently ranked 15th globally by Sports Business International, the CSL develops the next generation of sports professional by focusing on the business of sport.
“This move to the VCU School of Business is one we have been excited about for quite some time,” said Carrie LeCrom, Ph.D., executive director of the Center for Sport Leadership. “It’s a great fit for our program, our students and our alumni, as we know that sport industry professionals are looking to hire individuals with strong business skills. We hope to bring the strength of our program and the uniqueness of the sport context to what is already a fantastic School of Business at VCU.”
The academic move was motivated by the CSL’s consistent push to offer the most impactful and experiential learning environment for its graduate students. For the second year in a row, the Center for Sport Leadership was ranked 5th in the world in graduate satisfaction by Sports Business International.
The new partnership is expected to foster collaboration and expand resources that will empower students with knowledge and insight to enhance their skill sets and job prospects.
“We are delighted to welcome the Center for Sport Leadership as part of the School of Business,” said Dean Ed Grier. “Given our EPIC strategic plan’s focus on experiential learning, as well the increasing emphasis on analytics in the sports industry, it’s a natural fit.”
The Center for Sport Leadership previously resided in the School of Education. In 2008, the CSL and School of Business partnered on a dual-degree program, offering graduate students the opportunity to earn both a M.Ed. in Sport Leadership and an MBA. Starting this fall, the Center for Sport Leadership will also offer a new degree option: Master’s in Sport Leadership.
The Center for Sport Leadership has more than 500 alumni currently working in the sport industry. The majority of alumni work in college athletics, but graduates of the program are also employed by the NFL, NBA, MLB, NASCAR and USGA.
The CSL will continue to conduct its classes and day-to-day operations from their existing offices located in the Sports Medicine Building at 1300 W. Broad St.
About the VCU School of Business
At the VCU School of Business we’re developing world-ready business leaders. Producing game-changing research. Fueling ideas with purpose. It all happens here, at the intersection of business and creativity. With nearly 4,000 students in a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s, certificate and doctoral programs, the VCU School of Business ranks in the top five percent of business schools worldwide due to its accreditation by AACSB International. In 2015-2016, the VCU School of Business launched its bold strategic plan, EPIC, to drive the future of business through the power of creativity.
For additional information or media inquiries, please contact:
Greg Burton
VCU Center for Sport Leadership
(804) 827-7417
[email protected]